Canon 1D Mark IV vs Pentax KP

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Canon 1D Mark IV vs Pentax KP

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APS-H 518.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon 1D Mark IV Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 1D Mark IV.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

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Differences

Canon 1D Mark IV advantages over Pentax KP

Larger sensor
APS-H vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.70 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1500 vs 390 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
39 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
45 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax KP advantages over Canon 1D Mark IV

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Newer
9 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
699g vs 1390g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.58x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/24000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon 1D Mark IV

Body Only

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Buy the Pentax KP

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Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 1D Mark IV Full Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax KP, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Pentax KP Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 1D Mark IV

Nikon D3X

$1900
APS-H

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3X

Pentax KP

Nikon D3X

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Nikon D3S

Canon 1D Mark IV

Nikon D3S

$1900
APS-H

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

$5200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D3S

Pentax KP

Nikon D3S

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$5200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D3S

Compared to Canon 7D

Canon 1D Mark IV

Canon 7D

$1900
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1499
APS-C

Internal flash
Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Canon 7D

Pentax KP

Canon 7D

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1499
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon 7D

Compared to Nikon D5600

Canon 1D Mark IV

Nikon D5600

$1900
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Canon 1D Mark IV

Canon T7i

$1900
APS-H

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 1D Mark IV vs Canon T7i

Pentax KP

Canon T7i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

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