Pentax KP vs Pentax K-5

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Pentax KP and the Pentax K-5, 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.

Pentax KP was introduced in January 2017 and Pentax K-5 was introduced in December 2010. 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 Pentax KP over Pentax K-5.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K-5 over Pentax KP.

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

Pentax KP and Pentax K-5 have 3.0" screens with 921k dot resolution. Pentax KP has a Tilting screen which makes it very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Pentax K-5 has a Fixed screen

Viewfinder

Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. They both have 100% coverage.

Pentax KP features a 24.32 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 366.6 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 819,200. Pentax K-5 features a 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 246.5 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 12,800 and expands to 80 - 25,600 in boosted mode.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Pentax KP is equipped with PRIME IV processor and can take pictures up to 6016 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4608 x 3072, 3072 x 2048, 1920 x 1280 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Pentax K-5 is equipped with PRIME II processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3936 x 2624, 3072 x 2048, 1728 x 1152 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Cameras have Pentax K_AF2 lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

In-Body Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in in-body image stabilization (IBIS) (5 stops of compensation in Pentax KP). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when cameras are paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Pentax KP

Pentax KP has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Pentax KP comes with D-LI109 battery pack with battery life of 390 shots and Pentax K-5 comes with D-LI90 battery pack with battery life of 980 shots.

External Storage Slots

Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/24000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/6000 sec with mechanical shutter on Pentax KP, and up to 1/8000 sec on Pentax K-5. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps.

Focusing

Pentax KP has 27 (25 cross-type) focusing points and Pentax K-5 has 11 (9 cross-type) focusing points. Pentax KP has detection range from -3 to +18 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Pentax KP ranges from -3 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Pentax KP and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Pentax K-5.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m at ISO 100 on Pentax KP and 13.00 m at ISO 100 on Pentax K-5. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Pentax KP and via Hot Shoe or Wireless connection to Pentax K-5. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on both cameras.

Pentax KP body has dimensions of 132 x 101 x 76 mm (5.2 x 3.98 x 2.99") and Pentax K-5 body has dimensions of 131 x 97 x 73 mm (5.16 x 3.82 x 2.87"). Pentax KP weighs 703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz) and Pentax K-5 weighs 740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz).

Pentax KP

Pentax K-5

132 mm

101 mm

131 mm

97 mm

101 mm

97 mm

76 mm

73 mm