Canon EOS
5D Mark II
 vs
Pentax
K-5

Updated (March, 2012): Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark III vs Pentax K-5

Pentax K-5

78
Winner

Pentax K-5
"The K-5 has a very similar sensor inside it to the Nikon D7000's, and like the Nikon, the K-5 displays excellent image quality across almost its entire ISO span."
dpreview.com | talking about the K-5's image-quality
"All of the major controls fall readily to hand."
dpreview.com | talking about the K-5's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Pentax K-5

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
82.0
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
14.1 EV
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
104 ms shutter lag
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

73
"The original 5D was the first 'affordable' and lightweight full frame camera, and set a standard for low noise at high ISO settings that remains competitive three years later."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's iso-noise
"The 'denser' build and slightly chunkier grip on the EOS 5D Mark II does make it feel that bit more substantial than the EOS 50D, you know there's something special about it from the moment you lift it. That said it's also lighter than an EOS-1D series (obviously) and therefore is more portable for it."
dpreview.com | talking about the 5D Mark II's feel

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,815 ISO
Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.71x
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Full frame 36.0x24.0mm
Fastest shutter speed
 Fast shutter speed
1/8000 of a second

differences

Advantages of the Canon 5D Mark II
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,815 ISO vs 1,162 ISO
Help
 The 5D Mark II has a slight edge (0.6 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 36.0x24.0mm vs APS-C 23.6x15.7mm
Help
 Around 2.5x larger sensor
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder 0.71x vs 0.60x
Help
 Around 40% larger viewfinder
True resolution Higher true resolution 21 MP vs 16.1 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Lens availability More lenses available 125 lenses vs 90 lenses
Help
 Around 40% more lenses available
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 400 ms vs 600 ms
Help
 More than 30% less delay when turning on
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 850 shots vs 740 shots
Help
 More than 10% more shots per battery charge
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Learn more about
the Canon 5D Mark II

Advantages of the Pentax K-5
Dynamic range More dynamic range 14.1 EV vs 11.9 EV
Help
 2.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Shutter lag Significantly less shutter lag 104 ms vs 206 ms
Help
 Around 50% less delay when taking photos
Overall image quality Better image quality 82.0 vs 79.0
Help
 Almost the same
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 7 fps vs 3.9 fps
Help
 Around 80% faster continuous shooting
Cross type focus points More cross-type focus points 9 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The K-5's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Size Smaller 130x96x72 mm vs 152x114x75 mm
Help
 Around 30% smaller
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 98%
Help
 Almost the same
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 51,200 ISO vs 25,600 ISO
Help
 The K-5's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Focus points Slightly more focus points 11 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3"
Help
 Almost the same
Lowest price Cheaper $890.00 vs $2,198.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,308 cheaper (2.5x less)
Weight Lighter 740 g vs 850 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Pentax K-5 Learn more about
the Pentax K-5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 5D Mark II
73 vs 78
Explain scores
Pentax K-5 Pentax K-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Pentax K-5. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a pro DSLR with a entry-level DSLR.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Canon 5D Mark II or the Pentax K-5,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
1
votes
by motoservo last month
Nikon D3 vs Pentax K-5

I'd say the pros on the K-5 are much more important than the pros on the D3. And the fact that t...

One person recommends the Pentax K-5:

" The K-5 has better dynamic range, which is nice for outdoors shooting. And if you're shooting d..."
2
votes
by Char-Sevig last month
Canon 50D vs Canon 5D Mark II

I currently have a canon xsi, with several lenses. A canon 70-200mm f/4 L ,55-250mm, 50mm 1.8 ,18-...

One person recommends the Canon 5D Mark II:

"I recently upgraded from the XSi to the 5D Mark II and couldn't be happier. As I'm sure you know, ..."
0
votes
by Poti-Jouseevis-Potgieter last month
Canon 600D vs Canon 5D Mark II

beginner at taking fotos and want to take the perfect pictures

3 people recommend the Canon 600D:

" If you are a "beginner at taking fotos and want to take the perfect pictures" I would recommend ..."

" If you are completely new to DSLR photography then having a 5D2 will give you a very steep learn..."

" The 5D Mark II is a far superior camera to the 600D.  But if you're going to be doing sport and ..."
0
votes
by Kostas-Nomikos last month
Canon 600D vs Canon 5D Mark II

Which is better for video shooting?
2
votes
by alissahyoo last week
Canon T3i vs Pentax K-5

Trying to make video shorts, but I enjoy taking photos just as much. Wish I could do the kill tw...

13 people recommend the Canon T3i:

" i recommend this because i have a t2 and the quality is great, and it also have a lot of gadgets..."

" While the sensor found in K-5 is highly regarded (similar if not essentially same SONY made sens..."

" If it's video capabilties first, I would recommend the 600D. The 600D has so many cool things to..."
13 people recommend the Pentax K-5:

" The Pentax K-5 is an exceptional camera for stills and for video.  And the price has dropped qui..."

"Well, the K-5 is the better camera when it comes to photos, since its sensor is very close to that..."

" I've used Canon 1000D, 1100D, 450D, 500D and Nikon D3100 respectively. Now i m using a pentax k-..."

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
5D Mark II:79.0
K-5:82.0
Color depth Good color depth Help
23.7 bits
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Thickness Thin Help
5D Mark II:3"
K-5:2.9"
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Focus points Few focus points Help
5D Mark II:9
K-5:11
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EOS 7D

Canon EOS 7D

Pro DSLR

$1,549 - $1,821 body only

$1,500 - $1,849 with 18-135mm lens
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Cross type focus points Has slightly more cross-type focus points
Size Is slightly larger
Color depth Has significantly less color depth
Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 7D vs the K-5
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Autofocus Focuses automatically while shootting video
Thickness Is thicker
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Compare the D7000 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D7000 vs the K-5
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 5D Mark III vs the K-5
Nikon D700

Nikon D700

Pro DSLR

$2,199 body only
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Focus points Has much more focus points
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the D700 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D700 vs the K-5
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Lens availability Slightly more lenses available
Thickness Is thicker
Size Is slightly larger
Compare the EOS 60D vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the EOS 60D vs the K-5
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5100 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D5100 vs the K-5
Nikon D800

Nikon D800

Pro DSLR

$2,999 - $3,000 body only
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D800 vs the EOS 5D Mark II
Compare the D800 vs the K-5

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Pentax K-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Pentax K-5.

appearance

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Pentax K-5
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Pentax K-5
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Pentax K-5

discussion

Showing 7 comments

Victormartino25 (2:24 AM, May 18, 2012)
get the 40 limited 2.8 pancake.  i love those lenses.  its the cheapest limited lens for pentax, but it has all the good things from the limiteds.  its my favorite lenses.  you could get the normal 50mm 1.4, or one of the weather seal DA lenses which are awesome also.
 
Agsales_kmk (3:53 PM, March 08, 2012)
i don't think so
 
Avatar for Ghanashyam Ghimire Ghanashyam Ghimire (2:28 PM, February 14, 2012)
oh my!! Pentax k5 scores 100 and beats in all the comparisons made by snapsort...even to pro level DSLRs like EOS 5D Mark II. I am buying my first DSLR and I have made my mind to choose Pentax. But I couldn't make a choice on which lens to get. Snapsort, could you please help me here. Could you name me a perfect lens I could get for about, say US$ 200  -300. My interests are in landscape, portrait, family photos and other general use. I don't mind any brand as long as I get a value for money. Please help me because I am a beginner and have no knowledge about what lens do and which to chose for my purpose.
 
NikonD3S (4:30 PM, February 06, 2012)
Edward, use the compare button before saying something really stupid, please. I am a Nikon user but would not say D7000 is better than these. Nikon D3S, oh yes that is something you should change from D7000!
 
Matango (6:08 AM, November 15, 2011)
That IS a fan-boy statement.
 
Avatar for JeanMarcDufourq JeanMarcDufourq (5:24 AM, August 02, 2011)
That sounds like a Nikon fan-boy statement.
 
EdwardGriffin (10:41 AM, June 03, 2011)
These two SLRs are both trump by the Nikon D7000.