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Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
64
Imaging
44
Features
39
Overall
42
Nikon D50 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Nikon D50
(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
Pentax K-5
(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
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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).

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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.

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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 
RevealedDecember 2010July 2005More recent by 65 months
Screen dimension3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution921k130kClearer screen (+791k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D50 and Pentax K-5

 D50 K-5 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFixed 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

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

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D50 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography information
53
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
73
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D50 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Street photography camera
58
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (620 grams)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D50 Sports photography info
Pentax K-5 Sports photography info
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max fps low (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6MP)
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D50 Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 Travel photography info
50
lighter than competition in class (620g)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proofing
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D50 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography details
46
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2 inches)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D50
Vlogging with Pentax K-5
9
can't record video
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon D50 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D50 and Pentax K-5
 Nikon D50Pentax 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