• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

Buy From

Differences

Canon G5X advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Less expensive
    $700* vs $1997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 85 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    377g vs 1010g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.6 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Canon G5X

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 215 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    77 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.6 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon G5X
Canon G5X
All G5X Deals

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

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Good OLED viewfinder; Good image quality with sharp detail especially with RAW; Vari-angle touchscreen display.

  • Only 31 autofocus points; Subpar continuous shooting performance; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; No 4K video; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Canon G5X 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 G16

Canon G5X
Canon G16
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G16

Pentax K-1 II
Canon G16
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon G16

Compared to Canon G7X Mark II

Canon G5X
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G7X Mark II

Pentax K-1 II
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon G7X Mark II

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon G5X
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

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

Compared to Nikon D850

Canon G5X
Nikon D850
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X 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

Compared to Canon G5X Mark II

Canon G5X
Canon G5X Mark II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G5X Mark II

Pentax K-1 II
Canon G5X Mark II
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon G5X Mark II

Compare Other Cameras?