Canon EOS 60D vs Pentax K7 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS 60D
47
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 14.6 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Pentax K7
52
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 60D and the Pentax K7 are both DSLRs separated by a single year, the 60D arriving in 2010 and the K7 in 2009. The K7 is the more compact body at 131 x 97 x 73 mm against 145 x 106 x 79 mm, and the weights sit just 5 g apart at 750 g and 755 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 26, 2010 | May 20, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 145 x 106 x 79 mm | 131 x 97 x 73 mm |
| Camera weight | 755 g | 750 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 60D gives you more room to crop and larger files for big prints, with 18 MP against the K7's 14.6 MP. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors, so neither has a format advantage. The 60D also reaches 12800 ISO, against the K7's 3200 native or 6400 expanded. The K7's standout advantage is in-body stabilisation, which steadies handheld shooting with every K-mount lens you attach, including older primes. The 60D has no sensor-shift system and relies on stabilised Canon lenses instead. The mounts differ too, Canon EF-S against Pentax KAF, so lenses cannot be swapped between them. The K7 also offers 11 autofocus points against the 60D's 9 for subject placement. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 14.6 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 | 4672 x 3104 |
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 | 15.6 x 23.4 |
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 | 5.2 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 KAF |
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 | 32003003280000 |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 64003003280000 |
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 | 49/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe 60D is the clear choice for video you intend to edit or share at full size, recording Full HD against the K7's Standard HD maximum. Both record at up to 30 fps, the 60D in MOV and the K7 in Motion JPEG. The K7 counters with a built-in timelapse function for interval sequences without an external remote, a mode the 60D lacks. It suits cloud movement and day-to-night transitions. | ||
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 |  Standard 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 | 1536 x 1024 |
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 | 30 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's articulating screen changes how you shoot, letting you frame overhead, waist-level or self-portrait angles the K7's fixed screen cannot match. Both are 3-inch displays without touch control, and the 60D's panel resolves 1040000 dots against the K7's 921000 for finer playback detail. Both bodies are weather sealed for outdoor work, and neither offers GPS or wireless connection, so geotagging needs an external accessory. Both also carry a built-in flash and support an external flash unit. | ||
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 60D holds the edge for long outings, rated at 1100 shots per charge against 980 for the K7. The Canon uses an LP-E6 battery and the Pentax a D-LI90, and neither camera charges over USB. Card support differs in the 60D's favour, accepting SDXC cards for capacities beyond SDHC, while the K7 accepts SD, SDHC and MMC. Both have a single card slot, so you cannot record to two cards at once. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| 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
For most photographers choosing between these two, the Canon EOS 60D is the better buy. Its 18 MP sensor leaves more cropping room, Full HD video is worth having for anything beyond casual clips, and the articulating screen transforms low-angle and portrait framing. The higher ISO range and larger rated battery capacity suit travel, indoor sports and long days of shooting.
Choose the Pentax K7 if you already own Pentax glass or plan to build a K-mount kit, because its in-body stabilisation steadies every lens you attach, including inexpensive older primes. Its built-in timelapse and more compact body add appeal for landscape work.