• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Canon T8i

  • 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)
  • 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
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon T8i advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    24.1 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

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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

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 T8i
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All T8i 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

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5
Nikon D7000
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Less shutter lag
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D7000

Canon T8i
Nikon D7000
  • $749
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon T8i vs Nikon D7000

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 T8i
Canon T3i
  • $749
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon T8i 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 T8i
Nikon D5100
  • $749
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon T8i 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 T8i
Pentax K-30
  • $749
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T8i vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-5
Canon T4i
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon T4i

Canon T8i
Canon T4i
  • $749
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon T8i vs Canon T4i

Compare Other Cameras?