• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax K-1 advantages over Canon T7i

  • 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 3.72 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 760 vs 600 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.51x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 24.2 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
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon T7i advantages over Pentax K-1

  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More cross-type AF points
    45 vs 25
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More AF points
    45 vs 33
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    148 vs 74 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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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

  • Very good image quality; Improved dynamic range & high ISO quality over T6i; 45-point AF system; Fast Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Improved buffer depth.

  • Default JPEGs slightly soft straight out of camera; Dynamic range & high ISO still lags behind competitors; No 4K video.

The Competition

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
Canon T7i
Canon 5DS
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display

Compared to Canon T6i

Pentax K-1
Canon T6i
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon T7i
Canon T6i
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

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
Canon T7i
Canon 5DS R
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-1
Pentax KP
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Lighter weight
Canon T7i
Pentax KP
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
Canon T7i
Pentax K-1 II
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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