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Pentax K-5 vs YI M1

Portability
60
Imaging
55
Features
82
Overall
65
Pentax K-5 front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
59
Features
66
Overall
61

Pentax K-5 vs YI M1 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • Replacement is Pentax K-5 IIs
YI M1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched September 2016
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Pentax K-5 vs YI M1 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax K-5 versus YI M1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Pentax and YI. The sensor resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the M1 (20MP) is relatively well matched but the K-5 (APS-C) and M1 (Four Thirds) use different sensor measurements.

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The K-5 was brought out 6 years prior to the M1 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the YI M1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the K-5 grades versus the M1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the YI M1

 K-5 M1 

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Pentax K-5

 M1 K-5 
LaunchedSeptember 2016December 2010More modern by 70 months
Screen resolution1040k921kSharper screen (+119k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and YI M1

 K-5 M1 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax K-5 vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Pentax K-5 features external measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) and the YI M1 has specifications of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-5 versus YI M1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the K-5 versus the M1.

Pentax K-5 vs YI M1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 and M1 is 60 and 87 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through technical specs. The image below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-5 and M1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-5 due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the YI M1 will give greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged K-5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 Portrait photography highlights
YI M1 Portrait photography highlights
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
75
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Street photography camera
YI M1 as a Street photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen is fixed
73
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-5
Sports photography with YI M1
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
54
decent megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great battery power (450 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-5
Travel photography with YI M1
65
environment proof
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
78
great battery power (450 CIPA)
has bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
decent megapixels (20MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography features
YI M1 Landscape photography features
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
76
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (450 shots)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging advice
YI M1 Vlogging advice
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
33
touchscreen enabled
features face detection focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have external mic support
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Pentax K-5 vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and YI M1
 Pentax K-5YI M1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax YI
Model type Pentax K-5 YI M1
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-12-18 2016-09-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Max boosted ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 81
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 151 107
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Max video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 740 grams (1.63 lbs) 350 grams (0.77 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 photographs 450 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $800 $320