Canon EOS 70D vs Pentax K-5 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 20.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS 70D
60
WINNER
|
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-5 II
57
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 70D, released in 2013, and the Pentax K-5 II, released in 2012, are both DSLRs. The Pentax is the more compact body at 131 x 97 x 73 mm against 139 x 104 x 79 mm for the Canon. Their weights differ by just five grams, 755 g against 760 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 2, 2013 | September 11, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 139 x 104 x 79 mm | 131 x 97 x 73 mm |
| Camera weight | 755 g | 760 g |
| Optics | 58/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EOS 70D is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 20.2 megapixels against 16.3 on the K-5 II. That extra pixel count gives more latitude to tighten a distant wildlife frame in post. Its 19 autofocus points against 11 on the Pentax help keep an off-centre subject sharp. The K-5 II answers with in-body image stabilisation, so every lens you mount gains stabilisation, including older primes. The two share 7 fps continuous shooting and a native ISO range of 100 to 12800 on their APS-C CMOS sensors. The mounts differ too, Canon EF-S against Pentax KAF, so each draws on its own native lens range. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.2 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. |
5472 x 3648 | 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. |
15 x 22.5 | 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. |
7 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 KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 5+ | 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. |
10030200 | 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. |
256003003280000 | 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. |
190300 | 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 ComparisonVideoFaster frame rates make the 70D the better pick for moving subjects. Both cameras record Full HD, but the Canon's maximum frame rate reaches 30 fps against 25 fps on the K-5 II, so fast motion such as children running plays back more smoothly. It also records MOV files, while the Pentax uses Motion JPEG. For timelapse work the K-5 II holds the advantage with a built-in interval shooting function the Canon lacks, and neither camera offers 4K output. | ||
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 | 70/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe EOS 70D is the clear winner for live view and odd-angle shooting, pairing an articulating screen with touch control over its 1040000-dot display. You can tilt the screen for waist-level macros or overhead crowd shots and tap to focus, where the K-5 II's fixed 921000-dot screen offers no touch input. Wi-Fi on the 70D also lets you transfer images to a phone without a card reader. Both cameras offer weather sealing, a built-in flash with external flash support and live view on a 3-inch LCD, so shooting in drizzle or triggering a hotshoe flash works on either. Neither includes GPS or Bluetooth. | ||
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 | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | No |
| 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. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 37/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryEach camera writes to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot, and neither offers USB charging in-camera. The K-5 II is rated at 980 shots per charge under its test conditions, against 920 shots for the 70D. Each uses its own battery pack, so spare batteries are brand-specific. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E6 | D-LI90P |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
920 shots1505000 | 980 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Canon EOS 70D is the better buy for most photographers shooting people, events and video. Its tilting touch screen eases low and high-angle framing, Wi-Fi simplifies sharing, the extra resolution rewards cropping, the wider autofocus spread helps off-centre subjects, and its higher video frame-rate ceiling suits motion clips.
Choose the Pentax K-5 II if you shoot handheld with unstabilised primes, since its in-body stabilisation steadies every KAF lens you own. It also offers built-in interval timelapse and a higher rated battery life. If you already own Canon or Pentax lenses, stay with that system, because the mounts do not cross over.