Pentax K-1 has a
36.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor . On the other hand, Canon 1Ds MIII has a
21.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .
Pentax K-1's sensor provides 15MP more than Canon 1Ds MIII's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Another difference between these two cameras is that Pentax K-1's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the K-1 and 1Ds MIII sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Pentax K-1 and Canon 1Ds MIII Cameras
Pentax K-1 and Canon 1Ds MIII have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Pentax K-1 and Canon 1Ds MIII 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, K-1 has scored 96, 16 points higher than 1Ds MIII.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Pentax K-1
96
25.4 bits
14.6 Evs
3280 ISO
Canon 1Ds MIII
80
24.0 bits
12.0 Evs
1663 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
Pentax K-1
or the
Canon 1Ds MIII ,
including hyperfocal distance.
