Canon EOS 5DS vs Pentax XG-1

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Canon EOS 5DS and the Pentax XG-1, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Canon EOS 5DS was introduced in February 2015 and Pentax XG-1 was introduced in July 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon EOS 5DS over Pentax XG-1.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax XG-1 over Canon EOS 5DS.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Canon EOS 5DS has a 3.2" screen with 1,040k dot resolution and Pentax XG-1 has a 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Viewfinder

Canon EOS 5DS has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderPentax XG-1 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 200k dot resolution. Canon EOS 5DS has 100% coverage with 0.71x magnification and magnification.

Canon EOS 5DS features a 50.6 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 12,800 in boosted mode. Pentax XG-1 features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.

Pentax XG-1 has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Canon EOS 5DS is equipped with Dual DIGIC 6 processor and can take pictures up to 8688 x 5792 resolution. Pentax XG-1 can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2736, 2592 x 1944, 640 x 480, 4608 x 3072, 4608 x 2592, 2048 x 1536, 1920 x 1080 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Pentax XG-1 has an image stabilization.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Canon EOS 5DS has a Mini HDMI and Pentax XG-1 has a Type D HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Canon EOS 5DS comes with LP-E6 battery pack with battery life of 700 shots and Pentax XG-1 comes with LB-060 battery pack with battery life of 240 shots.

External Storage Slots

Canon EOS 5DS has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) and one for CompactFlash (UDMA 7). Pentax XG-1 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Canon EOS 5DS, and up to 1/2000 sec on Pentax XG-1. Canon EOS 5DS can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps. Pentax XG-1 can shoot continuously up to 9.0 fps.

Focusing

Canon EOS 5DS has Dual Pixel CMOS AF system with 61 (41 cross-type) focusing points and Pentax XG-1 has . Canon EOS 5DS has detection range from -2 to +18 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Canon EOS 5DS ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Canon EOS 5DS and ±2 range on Pentax XG-1. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Canon EOS 5DS and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Pentax XG-1.

Flash

Pentax XG-1 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m. Canon EOS 5DS has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Canon EOS 5DS.

Canon EOS 5DS body has dimensions of 152 x 116 x 76 mm (5.98 x 4.57 x 2.99") and Pentax XG-1 body has dimensions of 119 x 89 x 98 mm (4.69 x 3.5 x 3.86"). Canon EOS 5DS weighs 930 g (2.05 lb / 32.80 oz) and Pentax XG-1 weighs 567 g (1.25 lb / 20.00 oz).

Canon EOS 5DS

Pentax XG-1

152 mm

116 mm

119 mm

89 mm

116 mm

89 mm

76 mm

98 mm