Canon EOS Rebel T5i / 700D vs Pentax K-30 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS Rebel T5i / 700D
44
SCORE
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Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-30
56
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS Rebel T5i / 700D and the Pentax K-30 are DSLRs, the Pentax from 2012 and the Canon from 2013. The Canon is the lighter body at 580 g against 650 g, while the Pentax is slightly smaller at 130 x 97 x 71 mm versus 133 x 100 x 79 mm. The native lens systems are the deeper commitment: the T5i takes Canon EF-S lenses and the K-30 takes Pentax KAF glass. The mount you choose decides which lenses fit directly over the years you keep the camera. | ||
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. |
March 21, 2013 | May 22, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 133 x 100 x 79 mm | 130 x 97 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 580 g | 650 g |
| Optics | 40/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Pentax K-30 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting and fast action. Its in-body stabilisation steadies any KAF lens you mount, while the T5i depends on stabilised lenses. The Pentax also shoots at 6 fps against 5 fps, a better chance on a fleeting wildlife moment. Its 1/6000 second top speed allows a shorter exposure than the Canon's 1/4000. The Canon EOS Rebel T5i / 700D is the better pick when you want room to crop, with 18 MP against the Pentax's 16.3 MP. The K-30 counters with 11 autofocus points against 9 and a pentaprism viewfinder where the Canon uses a pentamirror. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors with the same 100 to 12800 native ISO range. | ||
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 fps045 | 6 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 M |
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 | 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. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
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. |
400080032000 | 600080032000 |
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 (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 43/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor ordinary clips the two match: both record Full HD at up to 30 fps. The file containers differ, with the Canon writing MOV and the Pentax MPEG-4, so check which your editing software prefers. The Pentax is the better pick for interval work without extra gear. Its built-in timelapse mode can capture a sunset sequence on a tripod by itself, while the Canon would need an external intervalometer. | ||
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 | 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 | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe T5i is the friendlier camera for awkward angles. Its 3-inch LCD is touch-sensitive and fully articulating, so you can tap to set focus and tilt the screen for low flowers or overhead shots. The Pentax screen is fixed, has no touch control and offers 921,000 dots against the Canon's 1,040,000. The K-30 answers with weather sealing, which lets you keep shooting on a drizzly hike or a dusty trail. Both cameras have a built-in flash, a hot shoe and live view. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi 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. |
No |  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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryNeither camera needs special storage planning: both take a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card. The Canon's LP-E8 battery is rated for 440 shots against 410 for the Pentax's D-LI109, a modest 30-shot edge. Neither charges over USB, so pack the mains charger for a trip. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E8 | D-LI109 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
440 shots1505000 | 410 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Pentax K-30 if your photography happens outdoors and handheld. Weather sealing, in-body stabilisation with any KAF lens, a pentaprism viewfinder and a built-in timelapse mode make it the better tool for hiking and wildlife in changing weather.
Choose the Canon EOS Rebel T5i / 700D if you shoot at odd angles or plan to grow into the Canon EF-S lens range. Its touch-controlled articulating screen suits overhead shots, low macro work and self-portraits, and its 18 MP sensor gives extra room to crop. Neither camera offers GPS, wireless transfer or dual card slots.