Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are sold by Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The K-1 was unveiled 2 years later than the K-5 IIs and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the K-1 matches up against the K-5 IIs for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K-1 & Pentax K-5 IIs. The full galleries are provided at Pentax K-1 Gallery & Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.

For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-1 offers outer dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 IIs has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

See the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-5 IIs in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the K-1 and the K-5 IIs.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and K-5 IIs is 55 and 60 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by looking through technical specs. The photograph below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-1 and K-5 IIs.

As you have seen, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The K-1 using its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax K-1 will render more detail having an extra 20 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The newer K-1 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.