Canon EOS 60D vs Pentax K5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS 60D
47
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K5
57
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 60D and the Pentax K5 are both APS-C DSLRs released in 2010, so neither has a generational edge. The K5 is the smaller body at 131 x 97 x 73 mm against 145 x 106 x 79 mm for the 60D, and it weighs 740 g against 755 g. The lens system is the real starting point. The 60D's Canon EF-S mount and the K5's Pentax KAF2 mount do not cross-fit, so the native lens range you want should guide the purchase. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 26, 2010 | September 20, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 145 x 106 x 79 mm | 131 x 97 x 73 mm |
| Camera weight | 755 g | 740 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 60D is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 18 MP against 16.3 MP for the K5, which leaves more pixels on a distant bird after you cut into the frame. For action the balance reverses. The K5 shoots at 7 fps against 5.3 fps for the 60D, and offers 11 autofocus points against 9. The K5 offers in-body stabilisation, so every mounted lens gains steadier handheld shooting, while the 60D has none. Both use pentaprism optical viewfinders and share a 1/8000 second top shutter speed. Standard sensitivity spans 100 to 12800 ISO on both. In expanded mode the K5 reaches 51200 ISO, where the 60D stops at 12800. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 16.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 15.7 x 23.7 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5.3 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Pentax KAF2 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 4 | Prime II |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
128003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
90300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 43/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras record Full HD video, so their maximum recording resolution is the same. For frame rate, the 60D reaches 30 fps against 25 fps for the K5, which gives its footage slightly more fluid motion. The K5 includes a built-in interval timer, so you can shoot timelapse sequences without an external remote. Editing workflow differs. The 60D records MOV files, while the K5 records Motion JPEG, so check which format your editing software handles before choosing. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 25 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | Motion JPEG |
| Features | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 60D is the better camera for awkward angles. Its flip-out screen lets you frame shots overhead or at ground level for flowers, while the K5's screen is fixed. The 60D's display also resolves finer detail for checking focus in playback, at 1040000 dots against 921000. Several useful features match. Both have weather sealing for damp conditions, a built-in flash with external flash support, and live view. Neither offers GPS or wireless connectivity, so geotagging and cable-free transfer need add-ons. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 45/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe same SD cards serve both cameras. Each takes SD, SDHC and SDXC in a single slot, so there is no second card for backup or overflow on either body. The 60D's LP-E6 battery is rated at 1100 shots, against 980 shots for the K5's D-LI90. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need an external charger between sessions. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E6 | D-LI90 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1100 shots1505000 | 980 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the Pentax K5 if speed and steadiness drive your photography. Its 7 fps burst, 11-point autofocus and in-body stabilisation suit sports, wildlife and handheld work, and its built-in interval timer covers timelapse without extra gear.
Buy the Canon EOS 60D if you crop hard, shoot from odd angles or film moving subjects. Its 18 MP sensor leaves more room to crop distant wildlife. Its flip-out screen frames shots over crowds or low to the ground, and its higher maximum video frame rate records motion more fluidly.