• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1.5 inch 233.8mm2
  • 13.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-5 IIs advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    23.9 vs 21.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,208 vs 581 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.1 vs 10.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 13.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.7 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Pentax K-5 IIs

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Lighter weight
    563g vs 740g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 22 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Noticeably better sharpness than standard K-5 II; Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Prone to moire, aliasing, and false color artifacts; 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.

  • Wider, longer, faster lens than predecessor, with good overall optical quality; Faster AF performance; Closer macro shooting; Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC with remote shooting; Decent JPEG burst performance; Excellent build quality.

  • Localized flare issue when wide open; No real net improvement in image quality over predecessor; Slow burst mode when shooting RAW files; Poor battery life; Video quality is so-so (not like Canon DSLRs).

The Competition

Compared to Sony A35

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A35
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon G1X Mark II
Sony A35
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A57
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Canon G1X Mark II
Sony A57
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A37

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A37
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Canon G1X Mark II
Sony A37
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Pentax K-5 IIs
Panasonic LX100
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon G1X Mark II
Panasonic LX100
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Pentax K-5 IIs
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon G1X Mark II
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
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