• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 30.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Pentax K-1 advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

  • 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
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 30.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 102400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Pentax K-1

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 25
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More AF points
    61 vs 33
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 74 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-1

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-105mm Lens
  • Kit with 24-70mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Unlocks the full potential of full-frame Pentax lenses; Excellent image quality; Great ergonomics and build; Very compact for full-frame; Decent performance; Fast autofocus with great low-light capabilities; Very wide sensitivity range; Bright, accurate viewfinder; Articulated LCD; Stabilization, Wi-Fi and GPS in-camera

  • No built-in flash strobe; Quite heavy compared to APS-C flagships; Somewhat soft images and blown highlights by default in JPEG mode; Warm Auto white balance indoors; Slow startup and buffer clearing; Small top-deck status display; Weak viewfinder illumination; Below-average battery life for DSLR

  • Read our Pentax K-1 Review

  • Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.

  • JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.

  • Read our Canon 5D Mark IV Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Pentax K-1
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D810

Pentax K-1
Nikon D810
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV
Nikon D810
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D810

Compared to Canon 5DS

Pentax K-1
Canon 5DS
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS

Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5DS
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1
Canon 5DS R
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS R

Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5DS R
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Sony A99 II

Pentax K-1
Sony A99 II
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV
Sony A99 II
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Sony A99 II

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