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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Superseded the Nikon D300S
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-5 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the D500 (21MP) and K-5 II (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D500 was announced 2 years later than the K-5 II and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a short summation of how the D500 grades against the K-5 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Pentax K-5 II

 D500 K-5 II 
LaunchedJanuary 2016June 2013More recent by 32 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k921kSharper display (+1438k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Nikon D500

 K-5 II D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-5 II

 D500 K-5 II 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D500 provides outer dimensions of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") with a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-5 II in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the D500 versus the K-5 II.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and K-5 II is 56 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D500 and K-5 II.

As you can see, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Nikon D500 to offer more detail with its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The younger D500 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography highlights
79
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
74
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Street photography factors
68
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
features focus via touch
weather proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 Sports photography info
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography info
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery life (1,240 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 Travel photography information
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography information
68
better than average battery life (1,240 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
features focus via touch
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
environment proofing
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
megapixel count decent (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery life (1,240 per charge)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging highlights
31
touchscreen capability
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Pentax K-5 II
 Nikon D500Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D500 Pentax K-5 II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2016-01-05 2013-06-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 5 Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 1640000 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 50 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 153 11
Cross type focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 2,359 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860 gr (1.90 pounds) 760 gr (1.68 pounds)
Physical dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 84 82
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 14.1
DXO Low light rating 1324 1235
Other
Battery life 1240 photos 980 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 One
Retail cost $1,497 $830