Canon 6D vs Pentax KP

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Canon 6D vs Pentax KP

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35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

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Differences

Canon 6D advantages over Pentax KP

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 3.91 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
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

1090 vs 390 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 35 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
17 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax KP advantages over Canon 6D

Less expensive
$999* vs $1999
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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
8 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
27 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.0 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/24000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 102400 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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

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Kit with 24-105mm Lens

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Buy the Pentax KP

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

All KP Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax KP, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Pentax KP Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2079
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Pentax KP

Canon 5D Mark III

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1198
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Pentax KP

Nikon D610

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Pentax KP

Canon 7D Mark II

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1597
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 6D

Nikon D600

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D600

Pentax KP

Nikon D600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D600

Compared to Nikon D750

Canon 6D

Nikon D750

$1699
35mm

Built-in GPS
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1698
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D750

Pentax KP

Nikon D750

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1698
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D750

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