Updated (March, 2013): Compare the Canon EOS 70D vs Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-5
Winner
Pentax K-5

85

vs
Canon EOS 60D

68

Canon EOS 60D
Runner-up
     
 

Reasons to buy the Pentax K-5

Overall image quality
 Great image quality
82.0
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.7 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
14.1 EV
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
 

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 60D

Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Battery life
 Great battery life
1100 shots
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
 
Differences | Recommendations | Cast your vote | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Canon 60D

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Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Lens availability Much more lenses available 197 lenses vs 109 lenses
Help
 More than 80% more lenses available
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 1,040k dots vs 920k dots
Help
 More than 10% higher resolution screen
Battery life Longer battery life 1100 shots vs 740 shots
Help
 Around 50% more shots per battery charge
True resolution Higher true resolution 17.9 MP vs 16.1 MP
Help
 Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 400 ms vs 600 ms
Help
 More than 30% less delay when turning on
Canon EOS 60D Learn more about
the Canon 60D

Advantages of the Pentax K-5

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Dynamic range More dynamic range 14.1 EV vs 11.5 EV
Help
 2.6 f-stops more dynamic range
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 82.0 vs 66.0
Help
 More than 20% better image quality
Color depth Better color depth 23.7 bits vs 22.2 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.5 more bits of color
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 253 ms
Help
 2.4x less delay when taking photos
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,162 ISO vs 813 ISO
Help
 The K-5 has a slight edge (0.5 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Viewfinder coverage Significantly better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 96%
Help
 Almost the same
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 7 fps vs 5.3 fps
Help
 More than 30% faster continuous shooting
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 145x106x79 mm
Help
 More than 20% smaller
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder 0.60x vs 0.59x
Help
 Around 10% larger viewfinder
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3.1"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 51,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
Help
 The K-5's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.7mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
 More than 10% larger sensor
Focus points Slightly more focus points 11 vs 9
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Pentax K-5 Learn more about
the Pentax K-5
vs

recommendations

Which camera do we recommend? Relative to the best recent DSLRs, and ignoring price

Snapsort Recommends
Canon EOS 60D Canon EOS 60D 68
Retailer
    Style
      Color
        You save

        vs
        85 Pentax K-5 Pentax K-5
        Retailer
          Style
            Color
              You save

              similarities

              Compared to recent DSLRs

              Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
              Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
              Shoot in extreme weather
              Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
              Pentaprism
              Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
              1/8000 of a second
              Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
              External flash not needed
              Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
              1
              Autofocus No video autofocus Help
              Manual focus only
              Focus points Few focus points Help
              60D:9
              K-5:11
              Sensor size Very small sensors Help
              60D:APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
              K-5:APS-C 23.6x15.7mm
              True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
              60D:17.9 MP
              K-5:16.1 MP
              Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
              You could stitch photos in post

              dxomark

              DXOMark

              competitors

              Shared Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages
              Canon EOS 70D

              Canon EOS 70D

              Pro DSLR

              $1,099 body only

              $1,240 - $1,249 with 18-55mm lens
              Touch screen Has a touch screen
              Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
              Thickness Is thicker
              Size Is slightly larger
              Compare the EOS 70D vs the EOS 60D
              Compare the EOS 70D vs the K-5
              Canon Rebel T3i

              Canon Rebel T3i

              Entry-level DSLR

              $490 - $500 body only

              $549 - $600 with 18-55mm lens
              Weight Is slightly lighter
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              Thickness Is thicker
              Compare the Rebel T3i vs the EOS 60D
              Compare the Rebel T3i vs the K-5
              Nikon D7000

              Nikon D7000

              Entry-level DSLR

              $789 - $840 body only

              $979 - $997 with 18-105mm 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 60D
              Compare the D7000 vs the K-5
              Nikon D5200

              Nikon D5200

              Entry-level DSLR

              $647 body only

              $747 with 18-55mm lens
              True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
              Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              Thickness Is thicker
              Compare the D5200 vs the EOS 60D
              Compare the D5200 vs the K-5
              Canon EOS 7D

              Canon EOS 7D

              Pro DSLR

              $1,299 - $1,399 body only

              $1,699 - $1,799 with 18-135mm lens
              Cross type focus points Has slightly more cross-type focus points
              Size Is slightly larger
              Compare the EOS 7D vs the EOS 60D
              Compare the EOS 7D vs the K-5
              Canon EOS 6D

              Canon EOS 6D

              Pro DSLR

              $1,655 - $1,899 body only

              $2,397 - $2,400 with 24-105mm lens
              Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
              Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
              Compare the EOS 6D vs the EOS 60D
              Compare the EOS 6D vs the K-5
              Nikon D3200

              Nikon D3200

              Entry-level DSLR

              $393 body only

              $497 with 18-55mm lens
              True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
              Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
              Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
              Thickness Is thicker
              Compare the D3200 vs the EOS 60D
              Compare the D3200 vs the K-5

              Canon EOS 60D Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages
              Canon Rebel T5i

              Canon Rebel T5i

              Entry-level DSLR

              $649 - $681 body only

              $799 - $1,012 with 18-55mm lens
              Touch screen Has a touch screen
              HDR Has in-camera HDR
              Color depth Worse color depth
              Weather sealed No weather sealing
              Compare the Rebel T5i vs the EOS 60D
              Canon Rebel T4i

              Canon Rebel T4i

              Entry-level DSLR

              $650 body only

              $699 - $720 with 18-55mm lens
              Touch screen Has a touch screen
              HDR Has in-camera HDR
              Color depth Worse color depth
              Weather sealed No weather sealing
              Compare the Rebel T4i vs the EOS 60D

              Pentax K-5 Competitors

              Advantages

              Disadvantages
              Pentax K-30

              Pentax K-30

              Entry-level DSLR

              $420 - $657 body only

              $544 - $779 with 18-55mm lens
              Supports 24p Supports 24p
              Weight Lighter
              External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
              Overall image quality Worse image quality
              Compare the K-30 vs the K-5
              Pentax K-5 II

              Pentax K-5 II

              Entry-level DSLR

              $640 - $700 body only

              $950 - $1,247 with 18-55mm lens
              Battery life Longer battery life
              Shutter lag Significantly more shutter lag
              Compare the K-5 II vs the K-5
              Pentax K-3

              Pentax K-3

              Entry-level DSLR

              $1,092 - $1,297 body only

              $1,205 with 18-55mm lens
              Supports 24p Supports 24p
              Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
              Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
              Dynamic range Less dynamic range
              Compare the K-3 vs the K-5
              Pentax K-50

              Pentax K-50

              Entry-level DSLR

              $617 - $682 body only

              $584 - $857 with 18-55mm lens
              Supports 24p Supports 24p
              Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
              External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
              Overall image quality Worse image quality
              Compare the K-50 vs the K-5

              appearance

              Canon EOS 60D Pentax K-5
              Canon EOS 60D Pentax K-5
              Canon EOS 60D Pentax K-5

              discussion

              Canon EOS 60D
              EOS 60D
              Canon

              Report a correction
              Pentax K-5
              K-5
              Pentax

              Report a correction

              Showing 9 comments

              THS (9:46 PM, August 04, 2013)
              Please change this snapsort. The k5 is a professional camera and is FAR better than the 60d
               
              Eon (11:30 PM, June 17, 2013)
              I had a Canon 60d, Nikon D7000 & Loved both, gave them back and got a Pentax K-5 a little apprehensive at first, but now glad i did, it really does have soul..Just because every other person owns A Canon, Nikon or Sony. they are like Ford Or GM Buy an extended warranty if it makes you feel safe. Step out be yourself, Safe is what safe is.
               
              Avatar for vhz vhz (10:19 AM, June 15, 2013)
              Bare in mind u pay for nikon and canon marketing, sponsorship etc. The same as sony some yrs ago. Where sony now?
               
              Beginerd (4:14 AM, January 26, 2013)
              from rough comparison we can easily see that pentax k-5 overcome dslr that's even twice its price...the only flaw i see in it is just that it doesn't have flip out screen and a bit low true resolution...even so, it still outscored its low pixel count in their formats in DxO's raw performance ratings at low iso...don't judge a dslr by its popularity...
               
              Sdick (8:04 AM, March 26, 2012)
              I can easily understand (though I don't personally value) each of the criteria these comparisons are based on--EXCEPT FOR "Popularity."  I can even understand tracking or mentioning the difference in popularity, but giving it a subjective value?  That to me, sounds like a prejudicial endorsement.  As you can tell from the comments, there's so much more that goes into the comparison in real-life, and purchase of a camera than even features, image quality and convenience--how about how it feels to the individual, or existing photographic equipment--that doesn't have a good way of making it into the comparisons.  But "Popularity?"  I do not understand that one.  How about reliability based on an equation involving units sold and warranty repairs effected?  That could be helpful--MAYBE.
               
              Lemurian Samurai (11:45 AM, February 06, 2012)
              Pentax isn't as aggressively marketed, most people are too concerned with what's around their neck (brand) than what the actual camera can do.  Yes Canon does have a far more extensive range of lenses and more market clout in terms of re-sale but 60D vs. Pentax K-5.... give me the Pentax
               
              VHZ (9:54 AM, February 06, 2012)
              Don't be surprised. Pentax 5 is a professional product whereas 60D is for entry or half professional.
              There is no argue that Pentax is better in this test. I'm the one who was going for 60D and probably will do so, because I'mnt a professional and need easy camera for holidays.
               
              Flo. (0:10 PM, December 27, 2011)
               @93f18b882dec8f82602d21cd17473b58:disqus ...go for the canon ! if you want an easy handling and fun at taking pictures, the canon ist the right!
              it says the pentax has better stats but thats not all! the sensor of the canon is far better. 
              also you can see if you look around, muuch more people have canon than pentax. (ive never seen someone who has a pentax)
               
              Twcull (10:45 PM, December 07, 2011)
              It surprises me that Canon fails to stack up against the Pentax. I'm stuck between the two, video isn't important to me. Surely there must be a reason why the Pentax isn't so widely available.