• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 72.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Panasonic LX10

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 3.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 260 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic LX10 advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    80 vs 31 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.3 fps vs 6.5 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

  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5

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).

  • Very good image quality for its class; Compact, sleek camera body; Excellent touchscreen and user interface; Fast built-in lens; 4K UHD recording and 4K Photo.

  • Continuous autofocus performance is spotty; Shallow RAW buffer depth; No built-in electronic viewfinder; No hot shoe; Slow start-up time.

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5
Canon T3i
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Panasonic LX10
Canon T3i
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-5
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Top deck display
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoots 24p video
Panasonic LX10
Nikon D5100
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5
Pentax K-30
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic LX10
Pentax K-30
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Samsung EX2F

Pentax K-5
Samsung EX2F
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic LX10
Samsung EX2F
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Fast startup

Compared to Panasonic LX7

Pentax K-5
Panasonic LX7
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter
Panasonic LX10
Panasonic LX7
  • $548
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
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