Pentax K-5 vs Canon SX730 HS

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Pentax K-5 vs Canon SX730 HS

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-5.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
20.3 megapixels
24.00mm - 960.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX730 HS Review.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5 II
Compare K-5 vs K-5 II

Succeeded by the Canon SX740 HS
Compare SX730 HS vs SX740 HS

Compare PENTAX K-5 II vs CANON SX740 HS

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Canon SX730 HS

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 1.19 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

740 vs 250 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
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/3200 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX730 HS advantages over Pentax K-5

Less expensive
$399 vs $800
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Thinner
39 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
8 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read K-5 User Reviews

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Canon SX730 (Black)

Canon SX730 (Black)
Canon SX730 (Silver)

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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

We haven’t reviewed the Canon SX730 HS.
Read our Canon SX730 HS Preview

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5

Canon T3i

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon T3i

Canon SX730 HS

Canon T3i

$399
1/2.3 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in Wi-Fi

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX730 HS 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 SX730 HS

Nikon D5100

$399
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX730 HS vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5

Pentax K-30

$800
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-30

Canon SX730 HS

Pentax K-30

$399
1/2.3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX730 HS vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Nikon A900

Pentax K-5

Nikon A900

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$397
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon A900

Canon SX730 HS

Nikon A900

$399
1/2.3 inch

Manual focus
Higher-res screen

$397
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX730 HS vs Nikon A900

Compared to Canon SX740 HS

Pentax K-5

Canon SX740 HS

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$447
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon SX740 HS

Canon SX730 HS

Canon SX740 HS

$399
1/2.3 inch

NFC

$447
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
Longer video battery life

Compare Canon SX730 HS vs Canon SX740 HS

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