Canon 1D X III has a
20.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Digic X processor. On the other hand, Pentax K-5 has a
16.0MP APS-C (23.7 x 15.7 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Prime II processor.
Below you can see the 1D X MIII and K-5 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon 1D X III and Pentax K-5 Cameras
As seen above, Canon 1D X III has a 2.3x Larger sensor area than Pentax K-5. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Canon 1D X III and Pentax K-5 sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, 1D X MIII has scored 91, 9 points higher than K-5.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Canon 1D X III
91
24.2 bits
14.5 Evs
3248 ISO
Pentax K-5
82
23.7 bits
14.1 Evs
1162 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Canon 1D X III
or the
Pentax K-5 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(Full frame versus APS-C),
so compare them at the same framing rather than the same focal length.
Put the same focal length on the smaller sensor and it will show less depth of
field, not more, because it also crops tighter. The calculator shows the
full frame equivalent focal length for each body so you can match the framing.
