Clicky

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
65
Imaging
52
Features
50
Overall
51
Nikon D5000 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Launched June 2009
  • Superseded the Nikon D60
  • New Model is Nikon D5100
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed March 2011
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Nikon D5000 versus Pentax K-r, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D5000 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The D5000 was launched 21 months before the K-r which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the D5000 matches up against the K-r in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Pentax K-r

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

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Nikon D5000

 K-r D5000 
RevealedMarch 2011June 2009Fresher by 21 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Pentax K-r

 D5000 K-r 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D5000 comes with outer 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) while the Pentax K-r has proportions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D5000 versus Pentax K-r in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the D5000 compared to the K-r.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the D5000 and K-r is 65 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing just by checking out technical specs. The photograph underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5000 and K-r.

As you have seen, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of images though you have to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The older D5000 will be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5000
Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
63
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
63
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Nikon D5000 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
66
fully articulated screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D5000
Sports photography with Pentax K-r
42
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
bad battery life (510 shots)
55
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (470 shots)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Nikon D5000 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Travel photography camera
56
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
bad battery life (510 CIPA)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
47
has built in flash
bad battery pack (470 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5000 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-r Landscape photography features
52
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (510 per charge)
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery pack (470 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D5000
Vlogging with Pentax K-r
52
selfie friendly display
comes with face detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5000 and Pentax K-r
 Nikon D5000Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D5000 Pentax K-r
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-06-12 2011-03-11
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 590 gr (1.30 lb) 598 gr (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 72
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 12.4
DXO Low light score 868 755
Other
Battery life 510 pictures 470 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9a D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $630 $1,100