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Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
65
Imaging
52
Features
50
Overall
51
Nikon D5000 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Launched June 2009
  • Older Model is Nikon D60
  • Replacement is Nikon D5100
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-30
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Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Nikon D5000 and Pentax K-50, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the D5000 (12MP) and K-50 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D5000 was revealed 5 years prior to the K-50 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the D5000 grades versus the K-50 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Pentax K-50

 D5000 K-50 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Nikon D5000

 K-50 D5000 
LaunchedNovember 2013June 2009Newer by 54 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Pentax K-50

 D5000 K-50 
Manual focus More precise focus
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon D5000 features external dimensions of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") along with a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D5000 and Pentax K-50 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the D5000 compared to the K-50.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D5000 and K-50 is 65 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading a spec sheet. The picture here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5000 and K-50.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax K-50 to offer you extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged D5000 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5000
Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
63
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
74
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5000 Street photography info
Pentax K-50 Street photography info
66
screen can move to multiple angles
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,600)
screen is fixed
heavier than average in class (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D5000
Sports photography with Pentax K-50
42
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery (510 shots)
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
bad battery power (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D5000 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Travel photography camera
56
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery (510 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
56
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
bad battery power (410 shots)
heavier than average in class (650 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5000 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography factors
52
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (510 shots)
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
bad battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5000 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-50 as a Vlogging camera
52
display is selfie friendly
features face detection focusing
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than average in class (650 grams)
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Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5000 and Pentax K-50
 Nikon D5000Pentax K-50
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D5000 Pentax K-50
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-06-12 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 51600
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 590 grams (1.30 pounds) 650 grams (1.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 13.0
DXO Low light rating 868 1120
Other
Battery life 510 pictures 410 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9a D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $630 $610