• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Medium format 1,441.0mm2
  • 51.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-5 IIs advantages over Hasselblad X1D II

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.7 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Hasselblad X1D II advantages over Pentax K-5 IIs

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    786k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.87x vs 0.61x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    51.3 vs 16.3 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
  • Longer exposure
    4080 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting 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

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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 Pentax K-5 IIs
Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Hasselblad X1D II
Body Only
All X1D II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Noticeably better sharpness than standard K-5 II; Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Prone to moire, aliasing, and false color artifacts; Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.

  • Read our Pentax K-5 IIs Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A35

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A35
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A35

Hasselblad X1D II
Sony A35
  • $5750
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Hasselblad X1D II vs Sony A35

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A57
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A57

Hasselblad X1D II
Sony A57
  • $5750
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Hasselblad X1D II vs Sony A57

Compared to Sony A37

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A37
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A37

Hasselblad X1D II
Sony A37
  • $5750
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Hasselblad X1D II vs Sony A37

Compared to Hasselblad X1D

Pentax K-5 IIs
Hasselblad X1D
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $4999
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Hasselblad X1D

Hasselblad X1D II
Hasselblad X1D
  • $5750
  • Medium format
  • Built-in GPS
  • Newer
  • $4999
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out

Compare Hasselblad X1D II vs Hasselblad X1D

Compared to Fujifilm GFX 50R

Pentax K-5 IIs
Fujifilm GFX 50R
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $4599
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Fujifilm GFX 50R

Hasselblad X1D II
Fujifilm GFX 50R
  • $5750
  • Medium format
  • Built-in GPS
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $4599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Hasselblad X1D II vs Fujifilm GFX 50R

Compare Other Cameras?