Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax K-5 IIs — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-5 II
57
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-5 IIs
57
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-5 II and the Pentax K-5 IIS are 2012 DSLRs announced on the same date. Both measure 131 x 97 x 73 mm and weigh 760 g, so neither version is lighter or more compact than the other. Size and weight therefore give no reason to choose one over the other. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 11, 2012 | September 11, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 131 x 97 x 73 mm | 131 x 97 x 73 mm |
| Camera weight | 760 g | 760 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsPentax KAF mount compatibility means one lens collection serves either body, so K-mount glass moves between them freely. Resolution is a shared figure too: each camera records 16.3 MP from an APS-C CMOS sensor, giving the same pixel count for cropping distant subjects or printing large. Both pair the Prime II processor with 7 fps continuous shooting, which suits birds in flight and other brief action. Their sensitivity ranges match, with standard settings of 100 to 12800 ISO and expansion to 51200 ISO available on each. In-body stabilisation on both bodies steadies handheld frames with unstabilised lenses. Autofocus uses 11 points on either camera, and the top shutter speed is 1/8000 second on both. Each offers an optical pentaprism viewfinder for through-the-lens composing. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.3 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. |
4928 x 3264 | 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. |
15.7 x 23.7 | 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. |
Pentax KAF | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime II | 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. |
8030200 | 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. |
512003003280000 | 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. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | 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 | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoVideo tops out at Full HD resolution on both cameras, recorded as Motion JPEG files, which covers holiday clips and web sharing but not 4K production. The highest frame rate either body supports is 25 fps. Each includes a built-in interval timer, so timelapse sequences of a sunset or a building project need no external controller. | ||
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. |
25 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. |
 Yes | 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. |
Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth bodies have weather sealing for rainy hill walks and dusty trails. The rear screens match: a fixed 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots and live view, without touch control or articulation. Each carries a built-in flash and supports an external flash unit for portraits or macro work. Neither includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, so files travel by card reader. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryA single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot serves each camera, with no second slot for backup copies during a shoot. Both run on the D-LI90P battery, rated at 980 shots per charge under test conditions. Neither charges over USB, so a spare battery and an external charger are worth packing for full days of landscape photography. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI90P | D-LI90P |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
980 shots1505000 | 980 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The choice between the Pentax K-5 II and the Pentax K-5 IIS is neutral on these specifications. Every figure in this comparison matches, so neither body earns an advantage for any task. Either version covers the same photographic ground, including weather-sealed outdoor work, 7 fps action sequences, stabilised handheld shots and Full HD clips. Pick either with confidence for travel, landscape and general photography.