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Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
65
Imaging
52
Features
50
Overall
51
Nikon D5000 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-500 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
  • Revealed June 2009
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D60
  • Newer Model is Nikon D5100
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
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Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Nikon D5000 versus Pentax K-500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the D5000 (12MP) and K-500 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D5000 was introduced 5 years prior to the K-500 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summary of how the D5000 matches up vs the K-500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Pentax K-500

 D5000 K-500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Nikon D5000

 K-500 D5000 
LaunchedNovember 2013June 2009More modern by 54 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Pentax K-500

 D5000 K-500 
Manual focus More precise focus
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D5000 features outside dimensions of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") having a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D5000 versus Pentax K-500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the D5000 vs the K-500.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D5000 and K-500 is 65 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes simply by going over specs. The pic here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D5000 and K-500.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Pentax K-500 to deliver more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged D5000 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5000 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Portrait photography camera
63
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
74
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D5000
Street photography with Pentax K-500
66
screen articulates fully
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
great high ISO (51,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5000 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
42
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (510 shots)
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
great battery life (710 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5000
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
56
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery pack (510 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
67
great battery life (710 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5000 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography advice
52
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (510 CIPA)
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5000 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-500 Vlogging highlights
52
display is selfie friendly
supports face detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone port
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone support
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Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5000 and Pentax K-500
 Nikon D5000Pentax K-500
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D5000 Pentax K-500
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-06-12 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 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
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 51600
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 590 gr (1.30 pounds) 646 gr (1.42 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 Overall rating 72 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 13.1
DXO Low light rating 868 1087
Other
Battery life 510 photographs 710 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID EN-EL9a 4 x AA
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
Launch cost $630 $600