• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 18.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Canon EOS-1D C

  • Less expensive
    $1750 vs $15000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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

Canon EOS-1D C advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.94 vs 4.81 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.61x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    61 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent high ISO performance, one of the best APS-C sensors yet; 6.5 fps burst mode has very good buffer depths; Weather, dust, and cold resistant; In-body Shake Reduction corrects not only horizontal / vertical, but also rotational motion.

  • Default saturation and contrast a bit high; Auto white balance too warm in tungsten light; Fewer AF points than main competitors; Only a single card slot, and no UHS-I card support (slow buffer clearing).

  • Read our Pentax K-5 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5
Canon T3i
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon T3i

Canon EOS-1D C
Canon T3i
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Canon T3i

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-5
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Top deck display
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D5100

Canon EOS-1D C
Nikon D5100
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Canon 1DX

Pentax K-5
Canon 1DX
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon 1DX

Canon EOS-1D C
Canon 1DX
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Headphone jack
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5
Pentax K-30
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-30

Canon EOS-1D C
Pentax K-30
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Nikon D4S

Pentax K-5
Nikon D4S
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D4S

Canon EOS-1D C
Nikon D4S
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon EOS-1D C vs Nikon D4S

Compare Other Cameras?