Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5
64 Imaging
44 Features
39 Overall
42
![Nikon D50 front Nikon D50 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Nikon-D50/Nikon-D50-front.jpg)
![Pentax K-5 front Pentax K-5 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-5/Pentax-K-5-front.jpg)
60 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 1600
- No Video
- Nikon F Mount
- 620g - 133 x 102 x 76mm
- Launched July 2005
- Successor is Nikon D40X
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Revealed December 2010
- Replaced the Pentax K-7
- Replacement is Pentax K-5 IIs
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Overview
Below is a in depth overview of the Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the D50 (6MP) and K-5 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
The D50 was revealed 6 years earlier than the K-5 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the D50 scores versus the K-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D50 and Pentax K-5. The full galleries are available at Nikon D50 Gallery and Pentax K-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D50 over the Pentax K-5
D50 | K-5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Nikon D50
K-5 | D50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | December 2010 | ![]() | July 2005 | More recent by 65 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2" | Bigger screen (+1") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 130k | Clearer screen (+791k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D50 and Pentax K-5
D50 | K-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to lug around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D50 has external measurements of 133mm x 102mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") and a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).
Compare the Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the D50 vs the K-5.
![Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D50-vs-Pentax-K-5-size-comparison.jpg)
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D50 and K-5 is 64 and 60 respectively.
![Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D50-vs-Pentax-K-5-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements just by looking through a spec sheet. The visual below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the D50 and K-5.
Clearly, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Pentax K-5 to result in greater detail because of its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older D50 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.
![Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Nikon-D50-vs-Pentax-K-5-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder
![Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D50-vs-Pentax-K-5-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
Nikon D50 | Pentax K-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Pentax |
Model | Nikon D50 | Pentax K-5 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2005-07-23 | 2010-12-18 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Prime II |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.5mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 367.4mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 3008 x 2000 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 12800 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 309 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 130k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.5x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 11.00 m | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/500 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 620 gr (1.37 lb) | 740 gr (1.63 lb) |
Dimensions | 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 55 | 82 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.9 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.8 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light score | 560 | 1162 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 980 photos |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL3 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $499 | $800 |