Canon 7D Mark II vs Pentax K-1 II

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Canon 7D Mark II vs Pentax K-1 II

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APS-C 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 7D Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 7D Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 7D Mark II.
Compare Canon 7D Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 7D Mark II conclusion.

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.

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Differences

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Pentax K-1 II

Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More telephoto lens reach
216 mm vs 105 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
65 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More AF points
65 vs 33
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
9.5 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.5 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
26 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 4.11 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
Newer
7 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.25 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
36.4 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 51200 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 GPS
Both provide
Geotag your photos
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
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 II User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 7D Mark II

Body Only

Body Only
Body with W-E1 Wi-Fi Adapter
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-135mm Lens and Wi-Fi Adapter

All 7D 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

Excellent image quality; High ISO performance improved over predecessor; Excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps); Significantly improved buffer depths; 65-pt AF system; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Can focus down to f/8 (great for teleconverters); 1080/60p video; Headphone and mic jacks; Rugged build quality.
Autofocus speed (AF shutter lag) slower than 7D and 70D; Mediocre battery life for a pro DSLR; Dynamic range at low to moderate ISOs not as good as competitors; Phase-detect AF did not perform as well as expected in our low-light AF tests; No built-in Wi-Fi; No autofocus for 1080/60p video.
Read our Canon 7D Mark II 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 Canon 7D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 7D

$1597
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

$1499
APS-C

Less expensive
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 7D

Pentax K-1 II

Canon 7D

$1697
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1499
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 7D

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Pentax K-1 II

Canon 6D

$1697
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 70D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 70D

$1597
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1149
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 70D

Pentax K-1 II

Canon 70D

$1697
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1149
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 70D

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A77 II

$1597
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Sony A77 II

Pentax K-1 II

Sony A77 II

$1697
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon 7D Mark II

Nikon D7200

$1597
APS-C

Built-in GPS
On-sensor phase detect

$1016
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D7200

$1697
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1016
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D7200

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