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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax KP

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax KP Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Replaced the Pentax K-7
  • Updated by Pentax K-5 IIs
Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Introduced January 2017
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax KP Overview

Following is a extended overview of the Pentax K-5 versus Pentax KP, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are designed by Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-5 (16MP) and KP (24MP) but they possess the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-5 was introduced 7 years earlier than the KP which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the K-5 grades vs the KP with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax KP

 K-5 KP 

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Pentax K-5

 KP K-5 
IntroducedJanuary 2017December 2010More modern by 74 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Pentax KP

 K-5 KP 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution921k921kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 has external dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) while the Pentax KP has proportions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") and a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-5 versus Pentax KP in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the K-5 and the KP.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax KP size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 and KP is 60 and 61 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by going over technical specs. The image here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 and KP.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Pentax KP to offer more detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged K-5 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 Portrait photography features
Pentax KP Portrait photography features
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
80
focusing manually
decent MP (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography information
Pentax KP Street photography information
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
76
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
very good high ISO (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography highlights
Pentax KP Sports photography highlights
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
silent mode (1/24,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
not so great battery (390 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-5
Travel photography with Pentax KP
65
weather proof
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not offer selfie friendly display
61
environment proofing
decent MP (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery (390 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography advice
Pentax KP Landscape photography advice
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (819,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
not so great battery (390 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging highlights
Pentax KP Vlogging highlights
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Pentax KP
 Pentax K-5Pentax KP
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-5 Pentax KP
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2010-12-18 2017-01-26
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 819200
Highest boosted ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 27
Cross type focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.63x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/24000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 740g (1.63 lbs) 703g (1.55 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1162 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 pictures 390 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $800 $747