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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

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

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-5
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

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.

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

 K-1 K-5 IIs 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016June 2013Fresher by 33 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)

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

 K-5 IIs K-1 

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

 K-1 K-5 IIs 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

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

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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography factors
85
has manual focus
great megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-1
Street photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
70
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
good ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than average in class (1,010 grams)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography details
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (4.4 fps)
low battery life (760 CIPA)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography factors
53
environment proof
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
low battery life (760 shots)
more heavy than average in class (1,010g)
display is not selfie friendly
65
environment proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography info
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (204,800)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
has dual storage slots
low battery life (760 CIPA)
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
exports RAW files
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging highlights
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (1,010g)
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Pentax K-1Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-1 Pentax K-5 IIs
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2016-02-17 2013-06-04
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 7360 x 4912 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 204800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 33 11
Cross focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.4fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 pounds) 760 grams (1.68 pounds)
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 All around score 96 82
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 14.1
DXO Low light score 3280 1208
Other
Battery life 760 pictures 980 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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
Retail price $1,499 $749