Canon 1DX vs Pentax K-1

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Canon 1DX vs Pentax K-1

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35mm 864.0mm²
18.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Canon 1DX Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 1DX.

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 204,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1.
Compare Pentax K-1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 1DX Mark II
Compare 1DX vs 1DX Mark II

Succeeded by the Pentax K-1 II
Compare K-1 vs K-1 II

Compare CANON 1DX MARK II vs PENTAX K-1 II

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Differences

Canon 1DX advantages over Pentax K-1

Bigger pixels
~ 6.94 vs 4.88 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1120 vs 760 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
41 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More AF points
61 vs 33
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
31 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 advantages over Canon 1DX

Less expensive
$1800 vs $6800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-1 test data on DxO Mark 1DX test data on DxO Mark

3,280 vs 2,786 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-1 test data on DxO Mark 1DX test data on DxO Mark

14.6 vs 11.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Newer
9 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
1015g vs 1551g
Lighter weight
More pixels
36.4 vs 18.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon 1DX

Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-1

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Canon 1DX.
Read our Canon 1DX Initial Test

Unlocks the full potential of full-frame Pentax lenses; Excellent image quality; Great ergonomics and build; Very compact for full-frame; Decent performance; Fast autofocus with great low-light capabilities; Very wide sensitivity range; Bright, accurate viewfinder; Articulated LCD; Stabilization, Wi-Fi and GPS in-camera
No built-in flash strobe; Quite heavy compared to APS-C flagships; Somewhat soft images and blown highlights by default in JPEG mode; Warm Auto white balance indoors; Slow startup and buffer clearing; Small top-deck status display; Weak viewfinder illumination; Below-average battery life for DSLR
Read our Pentax K-1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D4

Canon 1DX

Nikon D4

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

$4500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 1DX vs Nikon D4

Pentax K-1

Nikon D4

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$4500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Canon 1DX

Canon EOS-1D C

$5299
35mm

Less expensive

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Headphone jack

Compare Canon 1DX vs Canon EOS-1D C

Pentax K-1

Canon EOS-1D C

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$6989
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 1DX vs Nikon D4S

Pentax K-1

Nikon D4S

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$5399
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Canon 1DX

Canon 5DS R

$5299
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$1499
35mm

Lighter weight
More pixels

Compare Canon 1DX vs Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS R

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1499
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Canon 1DX

Pentax K-1 II

$5299
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 1DX vs Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

$1800
35mm

$1747
35mm

Higher extended ISO

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-1 II

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