• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Ricoh GXR advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Less expensive
    $1380 vs $1750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Longer exposure
    180 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Pentax K-5 advantages over Ricoh GXR

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    31 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/3200 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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
  • 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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Buy the Ricoh GXR

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Buy the Pentax K-5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All K-5 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 Pentax K2000

Ricoh GXR
Pentax K2000
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Ricoh GXR vs Pentax K2000

Pentax K-5
Pentax K2000
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Top deck display
  • External Mic Jack
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Fujifilm X100

Ricoh GXR
Fujifilm X100
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GXR vs Fujifilm X100

Pentax K-5
Fujifilm X100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Fujifilm X100

Compared to Canon T3i

Ricoh GXR
Canon T3i
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh GXR vs 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

Compared to Nikon D5100

Ricoh GXR
Nikon D5100
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer exposure
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Ricoh GXR vs 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

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Ricoh GXR
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Ricoh GXR vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Pentax K-5
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compare Other Cameras?