• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Medium format 2,169.5mm2
  • 101.1 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Phase One XF 100MP

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 10.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    73 mm vs 160 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.33 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.5 fps vs 0.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Phase One XF 100MP advantages over Pentax K-5

  • 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
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    101.1 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    3600 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 23 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

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
  • 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

  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

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).

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
Phase One XF 100MP
Canon T3i
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

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
Phase One XF 100MP
Nikon D5100
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup

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
Phase One XF 100MP
Pentax K-30
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax 645Z

Pentax K-5
Pentax 645Z
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Phase One XF 100MP
Pentax 645Z
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup

Compared to Leica S (Typ 007)

Pentax K-5
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Phase One XF 100MP
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Compare Other Cameras?