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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-5
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Pentax K-1 versus Pentax K-5 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are offered by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and K-5 II (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The K-1 was introduced 2 years later than the K-5 II and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the K-1 matches up against the K-5 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax K-5 II

 K-1 K-5 II 
RevealedFebruary 2016June 2013Fresher by 33 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Pentax K-1

 K-5 II K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-5 II

 K-1 K-5 II 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-1 has outer measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-1 versus Pentax K-5 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-1 versus the K-5 II.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-1 and K-5 II is 55 and 60 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through specs. The graphic underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K-1 and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-1 with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax K-1 will result in more detail using its extra 20MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The fresher K-1 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography advice
85
focusing manually
megapixel count high (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
74
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Street photography highlights
70
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
great high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than average in class (1,010 grams)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (4.4 fps)
terrible battery (760 shots)
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography factors
53
environment sealing
megapixel count high (36MP)
terrible battery (760 per charge)
more heavy than average in class (1,010 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
65
weather proof
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography info
81
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count high (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
great high ISO (204,800)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
terrible battery (760 CIPA)
79
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-1
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 II
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (1,010 grams)
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic support
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-5 II
 Pentax K-1Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-1 Pentax K-5 II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2016-02-17 2013-06-04
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 204800 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 33 11
Cross type focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.4 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 lb) 760 grams (1.68 lb)
Physical dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 96 82
DXO Color Depth rating 25.4 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.6 14.1
DXO Low light rating 3280 1235
Other
Battery life 760 images 980 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual One
Price at release $1,499 $830