• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

Buy From

Differences

Canon 1DX advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.94 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1120 vs 670 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 4.5 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 II advantages over Canon 1DX

  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    7 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    1010g 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 204800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 1DX
Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-1 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-105mm Lens
All K-1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II 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 II
Nikon D4
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II 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 II
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II 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 II
Nikon D4S
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Pentax K-1

Canon 1DX
Pentax K-1
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon 1DX vs Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-1
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $1800
  • 35mm

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Nikon D850

Canon 1DX
Nikon D850
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon 1DX vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?