Pentax K5 vs Pentax K7 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K5
57
WINNER
|
Pentax · DSLR · 14.6 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Pentax K7
52
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K5 and the Pentax K7 are both APS-C DSLRs sharing the same 131 x 97 x 73 mm dimensions, so either fits the same bag space. The K5 weighs 740 g against 750 g for the K7, 10 g lighter. It was released in 2010; the K7 dates from 2009. | ||
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. |
September 20, 2010 | May 20, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 131 x 97 x 73 mm | 131 x 97 x 73 mm |
| Camera weight | 740 g | 750 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe K5 is the stronger choice for low light and heavy cropping. Its 16.3 megapixel sensor gives more room to crop a distant bird than the K7's 14.6 megapixels, and its standard ISO range reaches 12800 against the K7's 3200. That higher ceiling is a setting you can reach for at a dim indoor event. For action, the K5's 7 fps burst outpaces the K7's 5.2 fps, helping when a runner or bird crosses the frame. Both pair an APS-C CMOS sensor with in-body stabilisation for sharper handheld frames and a pentaprism viewfinder. The mount designation differs: KAF2 on the K5 against KAF on the K7. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.3 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. |
4928 x 3264 | 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. |
15.7 x 23.7 | 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. |
7 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. |
Pentax KAF2 | 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 | 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. |
8030200 | 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. |
512003003280000 | 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. |
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 | 49/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe K5 is the better pick for large-screen viewing, recording up to Full HD while the K7 tops out at Standard HD. A family event or landscape pan holds more detail from the K5's larger output. Both record in Motion JPEG and offer built-in timelapse for interval work such as clouds crossing a valley. Frame rate favours the K7: 30 fps against the K5's 25 fps. Because the K7 cannot exceed Standard HD, that smoother motion suits casual playback rather than large-screen viewing. | ||
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. |
25 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. |
 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 ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is a shared advantage, so both cameras can keep shooting in rain or dust at the coast or on a hillside. Both offer a built-in flash, a hot shoe for external units, and live view for composing at low angles. The rear screens match: each is a fixed 3 inch TFT LCD with 921000 dots. Neither offers GPS, a touch screen, a flip-out screen, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so geotagging, remote control and wireless transfer need accessories on both bodies. | ||
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 | TFT 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. |
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 BatteryThe K5 has the more useful storage support, accepting SDXC alongside SD and SDHC, while the K7 takes SD, SDHC and MMC. On a card-hungry event day or Full HD recording session, the K5 fits a modern high-capacity card. Both have a single card slot. Battery support is a similarity: both use the same D-LI90 battery with the same 980 shot rating under their stated test conditions. Neither supports USB charging, so both need a dedicated charger between sessions. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI90 | D-LI90 |
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
For most photographic uses, the K5 is the stronger choice. Its extra megapixels reward cropping wildlife and landscapes, its 7 fps burst helps with sports and moving children, and its higher ISO ceiling gives workable settings for candlelit interiors and evening streets. Full HD video and SDXC support round out the case.
The K7's practical edge is its 30 fps frame rate at Standard HD output. If you already own KAF lenses or shoot mainly daylight stills, it remains a weather-sealed body with the same stabilisation and battery rating. Otherwise the K5 covers those roles with more resolution, speed and higher ISO settings.