Pentax K-500 vs Canon 5DS

Cameras
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Pentax K-500 vs Canon 5DS

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-500 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-500.

35mm 864.0mm²
50.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

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

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Differences

Pentax K-500 advantages over Canon 5DS

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 4.14 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Faster JPEG shooting
6.0 fps vs 4.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 5DS advantages over Pentax K-500

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
5DS test data on DxO Mark K-500 test data on DxO Mark

2,381 vs 1,087 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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
More cross-type AF points
41 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More viewfinder magnification
0.71x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
50.6 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
61 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
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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
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 Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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-500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 5DS User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-500

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses

Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-500 Deals

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Buy the Canon 5DS

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-500, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-500 First Shots

Read our Canon 5DS Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-500

Sony A57

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Sony A57

Canon 5DS

Sony A57

$1549
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5DS vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-500

Pentax K-5 IIs

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Canon 5DS

Pentax K-5 IIs

$1549
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$497
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 5DS vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K-500

Canon T5i

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Canon T5i

Canon 5DS

Canon T5i

$1549
35mm

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$539
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5DS vs Canon T5i

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-500

Canon 5DS R

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Canon 5DS R

Canon 5DS

Canon 5DS R

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
Has anti-aliasing filter

$1499
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Canon 5DS vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1

Pentax K-500

Pentax K-1

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

$1800
35mm

Larger sensor
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-500 vs Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS

Pentax K-1

$1549
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5DS vs Pentax K-1

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