Pentax K20D vs Canon T5

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Pentax K20D vs Canon T5

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APS-C 368.2mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K20D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K20D.

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T5 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon T5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the T5.
Compare Canon T5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon T5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-7
Compare K20D vs K-7

Succeeded by the Canon T6
Compare T5 vs T6

Compare PENTAX K-7 vs CANON T6

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Differences

Pentax K20D advantages over Canon T5

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
~ 5.05 vs 4.30 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
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Less shutter lag
0.17 vs 0.31 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.50x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Bigger JPEG buffer
38 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon T5 advantages over Pentax K20D

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.
T5 test data on DxO Mark K20D test data on DxO Mark

724 vs 639 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Newer
11 years vs 17 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
461k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
18.0 vs 14.6 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
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 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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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 K20D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read T5 User Reviews

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Kit with 18-55mm lens

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Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K20D Full Review

Very good image quality with great color accuracy; Lightweight and compact design; Great value for the money; Canon EF-S mount provides access to a vast array of lens options; Feature Guide and Creative Auto helps new users.
Slow burst mode; Shallow buffer; Without AF assist from flash low-light AF can struggle; Dynamic range and high ISO performance not as good as some competing models; No continuous AF in movie mode; Mono sound; No external mic jack.
Read our Canon T5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Pentax K20D

Samsung GX-20

$800
APS-C

Less expensive

$1400
APS-C

Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K20D vs Samsung GX-20

Canon T5

Samsung GX-20

$399
APS-C

Newer
HDMI out

$1400
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T5 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A380

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony DSLR-A380

Canon T5

Sony DSLR-A380

$399
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T5 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K20D

Pentax K-7

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Pentax K-7

Canon T5

Pentax K-7

$399
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Newer

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T5 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony A58

Pentax K20D

Sony A58

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony A58

Canon T5

Sony A58

$399
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T5 vs Sony A58

Compared to Canon T5i

Pentax K20D

Canon T5i

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K20D vs Canon T5i

Canon T5

Canon T5i

$399
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$539
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon T5 vs Canon T5i

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