Pentax K-5 II has a
16.0MP APS-C (23.7 x 15.7 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Prime II processor. On the other hand, Canon 550D has a
18.0MP APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Digic 4 processor.
Below you can see the K-5 II and 550D sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Pentax K-5 II and Canon 550D Cameras
As seen above, Pentax K-5 II has a 1.1x Larger sensor area than Canon 550D. 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 Pentax K-5 II and Canon 550D 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-5 II has scored 82, 16 points higher than 550D.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Pentax K-5 II
82
23.8 bits
14.1 Evs
1235 ISO
Canon 550D
66
22.0 bits
11.6 Evs
807 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-5 II
or the
Canon 550D ,
including hyperfocal distance.
