Home
Digital Cameras
Canon M5 vs Pentax KP: A Detailed Comparison

Canon M5 vs Pentax KP: A Detailed Comparison

January 9, 2019

Canon M5 vs Pentax KP: Two cameras. Two different body types. This article compares Canon’s Semi-Pro Mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS M5, with the Pentax Semi-Pro DSLR, the Pentax KP. Both cameras feature a 24.0MP APS-C sensor. To start, here’s a brief overview of the main features of both cameras.

Canon M5 vs Pentax KP Specs

Canon M5 vs Pentax KP

Canon M5 vs Pentax KP

Specifications

Canon M5

Pentax KP
Megapixels 24.2 24.3
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Sensor Format APS-C APS-C
Crop Factor 1.6x 1.5x
AA Filter Yes On/Off
Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 6016 x 4000
Body Image Stabilization Yes (Movie only) Yes
Lens Mount Canon EF-M Pentax K
ISO 100 – 25,600 100 – 819,200
Expanded ISO None None
AF Points 49 Hybrid 27
Cross-type AF Points Dual Pixel AF 25
Continuous Mode 7fps 7fps
LCD 3.2″ – Articulating 3.0″ – Articulating
LCD Resolution 1,620,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen Yes No
Focus Peaking Yes Yes
Top LCD Display No No
Viewfinder Type EVF (2.36M) Optical
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.95x
Video Resolution 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p 1920×1080 (60i/50i/30/25/24p)
1280×720 (60/50p) 1280×720 (60/50p)
Microphone Jack Yes Yes
Headphone Jack No No
Memory Card Type SD SD
Dual Card Slots No No
SD UHS Support UHS-I UHS-I
Fastest Shutter Speed 1/4000 1/24000
Slowest Shutter Speed 30″ 30″
Bulb Mode Yes Yes
JPEG Buffer Size 27 28
RAW Buffer Size 18 8
Time Lapse Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Max Flash Sync Speed 1/200 1/180
Startup Time 1.2s 1.0s
Built-in Wi-Fi Yes Yes
Built-in GPS No No
Built-in NFC Yes No
Bluetooth Yes No
USB Type USB 2.0 USB 2.0
Environmentally Sealed No Yes
Battery Life (CIPA) 295 shots 390 shots
Battery Included Yes (LP-E17) Yes (D-LI109)
Weight 15.0 oz (427g) 24.7 oz (699g)
Size 4.6 x 3.5 x 2.4″ 5.2 x 4.0 x 3.0″
Price Amazon Amazon
Release Date 2016 2017

Pentax KP vs Canon M5 Common Features

Wireless Connection Yes vs Yes
Articulating Screen Yes vs Yes
Built-in Flash Yes vs Yes
External Flash Shoe Yes vs Yes
Viewfinder Yes (Electronic) vs Yes (Optical)
RAW Support Yes vs Yes
Face Detection Focus Yes vs Yes
Max Resolution 24 MP vs 24 MP
Continuous Shooting 9.0fps vs 7.0fps
Microphone Port Yes vs Yes
Timelapse Recording Yes vs Yes
AE Bracketing Yes vs Yes
Smartphone Remote Control Yes vs Yes

Canon M5 vs Pentax KP Size Comparison

The Canon M5 is the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 16mm narrower, 12mm shorter and 15mm thinner than Pentax KP. Also, the Canon M5 is much lighter (276g ) than the Pentax KP. Carrying the M5 around is easier.

Canon M5 vs Pentax KP

Canon M5 vs Pentax KP

Moreover, both cameras have an APS-C sensor. Hence, the lenses they use are practically the same. So, when factoring in the weight, this is not an issue.

Canon M5 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Both the Canon M5 and Pentax have APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution are the same between the two cameras.

Canon M5 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Canon M5 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

As both the Pentax KP and Canon M5 have the same sensor sizes, they provide a good level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture. However, the Pentax KP has a 1.1x larger sensor area than Canon M5. Larger sensors give you more control over the depth of field and blurry background compared to the smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.

Canon M5 Advantages Over Pentax KP

Touch Screen Yes vs No
Number of Focus Points 49 vs 27
LCD Screen Size 3.2″ vs 3″
LCD Screen Resolution 1.620k dots vs 921k dots
Continuous Shooting 9.0fps vs 7.0fps
Weight 427 g vs 703 g
Price $929 vs $1,000
NFC Connection Yes vs No
Bluetooth Yes vs No

Key reasons that might sway you to choose the Canon M5 over the Pentax KP:

  • AF Points – 49 vs 27.
  • LCD – 3.2″ vs 3.0″
  • LCD Resolution – Higher resolution.
  • Touchscreen Support
  • RAW Buffer Size – 18 vs 8.
  • Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/200 vs 1/180.
  • Built-in NFC
  • Bluetooth Support
  • Weight – The Canon M5 weighs 272g less.
  • Size – The Canon M5 is noticeably smaller.

Video: Canon M5 Hands-on Review

Canon’s latest mirrorless camera promises to be an 80D in a smaller package. With 1080p and a reasonable 24-megapixels, is it another flop or does the Dual Pixel Autofocus save the day? Watch as Kai takes you through the pros and cons.

Pentax KP Advantages Over Canon M5

Built-in Image Stabilization Sensor-shift vs None
Max ISO 819.200 vs 25.600
Max Shutter Speed 1/6000s vs 1/4000s
Battery Life 390 shots vs 295 shots
Environmental Sealing Yes vs No
Flash Coverage 6.0m vs 5.0m
Sensor Pixel Area 15.24µm2 vs 13.84µm2
Pixel Shift High-Resolution Mode Yes vs No
Anti-Alias Filter Simulator Yes vs No
Support for UHS Memory Cards UHS-I vs none

You may opt to choose the Pentax KP because:

  • AA Filter – You can turn it on and off.
  • Body Image Stabilization – The Pentax KP has built-in body stabilization for photos and videos, which is an excellent feature for traveling and shooting in low light.
  • ISO – 819,200 vs 25,600. Higher maximum ISO sensitivity.
  • Faster Max Shutter Speed – 1/24000 vs 1/4000.
  • Environmentally Sealed – The Pentax KP is suited for shooting outdoors in difficult terrain and bad weather conditions.

Video: Pentax KP Hands-on Review

You Might Also Like

Tags:,

Add Comment