• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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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

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Buy the Canon 7D Mark II
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  • 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
  • $1747
  • 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
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 6D
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

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
  • $1747
  • 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
  • $1747
  • 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
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D7200

Compare Other Cameras?