• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Ricoh GR II

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 320 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.5 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh GR II advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    9 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
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    300 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 31 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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 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

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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

  • Shooting with a wide prime helps you see new shots; Good performance and fast autofocus; Excellent sharp, bright lens; Very customizable; In-camera Wi-Fi works with more than just Android and iOS; Supports Pentax wireless flash strobes

  • Fixed, wide prime lens isn't for everyone; Cramped controls; Burst capture is slower for JPEGs; Tends too warm under incandescent lighting; Wi-Fi app is poor, and web browser control has cluttered interface

  • Read our Ricoh GR II 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

Ricoh GR II
Canon T3i
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II 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

Ricoh GR II
Nikon D5100
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II 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
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-30

Ricoh GR II
Pentax K-30
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Ricoh GR

Pentax K-5
Ricoh GR
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Ricoh GR

Ricoh GR II
Ricoh GR
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $799
  • APS-C

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Ricoh GR

Compared to Fujifilm XF10

Pentax K-5
Fujifilm XF10
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Fujifilm XF10

Ricoh GR II
Fujifilm XF10
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • NFC
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Fujifilm XF10

Compare Other Cameras?