Canon 5D Mark II vs Pentax K-1 II

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Canon 5D Mark II vs Pentax K-1 II

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35mm 864.0mm²
21.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark II Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark II.

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

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

Succeeded by the Canon 5D Mark III
Compare 5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III
Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Pentax K-1 II

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Pentax K-1 II

Bigger pixels
~ 6.41 vs 4.88 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.4 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

850 vs 670 shots
Capture more photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$1997 vs $2999
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
7 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
36.4 vs 21.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
33 vs 15
More AF points improve autofocus
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
Faster JPEG shooting
4.5 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
4.6 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
17 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 25600 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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 II User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens

All 5D Mark II Deals

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Buy the Pentax K-1 II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-105mm Lens

All K-1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 5D Mark II Full Review

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 D3X

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D3X

$1200
35mm

Shoots 1080p video
Bigger JPEG buffer

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3X

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D3X

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D600

$1200
35mm

More telephoto lens reach
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D600

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D600

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1900
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D600

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1200
35mm

Less shutter lag
More AF points

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Pentax K-1 II

Canon 6D

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1200
35mm

Bigger pixels

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D850

$1200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

$2464
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon 5D Mark II 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

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