• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 32.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax K-5 II advantages over Canon 90D

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.23 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)

Canon 90D advantages over Pentax K-5 II

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1300 vs 740 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    45 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    5 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.23 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    32.5 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    45 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    57 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5 II

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 90D

Review Excerpt

  • Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Sharp, detailed images with very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.

  • Highest resolution Canon APS-C camera yet; Great image quality; Faster 10fps burst shooting; Very fast autofocus; Dual Pixel CMOS AF in Live View; 4K video; 1080p120 slow-mo video.

  • Low-pass filter reduces fine detail from high-res sensor; High ISO performance isn't as good as some rival cameras; Video recording limited to 29:59.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5 II
Nikon D7000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Canon 90D
Nikon D7000
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Dual card slots

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Canon 90D
Pentax K-30
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-5 II
Canon T4i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 90D
Canon T4i
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 80D

Pentax K-5 II
Canon 80D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Canon 90D
Canon 80D
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D7500

Pentax K-5 II
Nikon D7500
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Canon 90D
Nikon D7500
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
Compare Other Cameras?