Pentax K-5 vs Canon T7i

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-5 vs Canon T7i

Leave Feedback

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.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon T7i Review.
How does it shoot? Canon T7i in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the T7i.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon T7i conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Canon T8i
Compare T7i vs T8i

Compare PENTAX K-5 II vs CANON T8I

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Canon T7i

Larger sensor
APS-C 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
~ 4.81 vs 3.72 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 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
0.61x vs 0.51x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon T7i advantages over Pentax K-5

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
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
More cross-type AF points
45 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
8 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
747g vs 1003g
Lighter weight
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
More AF points
45 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Bigger JPEG buffer
148 vs 31 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read T7i User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-5 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon T7i

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm lens
Kit with 18-55mm lens

All T7i Deals

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

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.
Read our Canon T7i Express Review

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 T7i

Canon T3i

$700
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Bigger pixels
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon T7i 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

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoots 24p video

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D5100

Canon T7i

Nikon D5100

$700
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$650
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon T7i 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 T7i

Pentax K-30

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T7i vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Canon T6i

Pentax K-5

Canon T6i

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon T6i

Canon T7i

Canon T6i

$700
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Bluetooth

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Canon T7i vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-5

Pentax KP

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax KP

Canon T7i

Pentax KP

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T7i vs Pentax KP

Compare Other Cameras?