Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5
66 Imaging
55 Features
81 Overall
65
60 Imaging
55 Features
82 Overall
65
Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
- Released April 2011
- Earlier Model is Nikon D5000
- Updated by Nikon D5200
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Introduced December 2010
- Succeeded the Pentax K-7
- Successor is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Following is a extensive overview of the Nikon D5100 versus Pentax K-5, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D5100 (16MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe D5100 was launched 5 months after the K-5 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon D5100 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the D5100 matches up against the K-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D5100 & Pentax K-5. The complete galleries are available at Nikon D5100 Gallery & Pentax K-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Pentax K-5
| D5100 | K-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Nikon D5100
| K-5 | D5100 |
|---|
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Pentax K-5
| D5100 | K-5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | April 2011 | December 2010 | Same age | |
| Focus manually | Very precise focusing | |||
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen measurement | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 921k | The same screen resolution | |
| Touch friendly screen | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D5100 enjoys physical measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon D5100 versus Pentax K-5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the D5100 and the K-5.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D5100 and K-5 is 66 and 60 respectively.
Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The image underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D5100 and K-5.
All in all, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures though you will need to factor the age of the cameras into account.
Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
| Nikon D5100 | Pentax K-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Nikon | Pentax |
| Model type | Nikon D5100 | Pentax K-5 |
| Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
| Released | 2011-04-26 | 2010-12-18 |
| Physical type | Compact SLR | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Expeed 2 | Prime II |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.7mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor area | 370.5mm² | 372.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
| Peak resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4928 x 3264 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | 51200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
| Cross type focus points | 1 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
| Available lenses | 309 | 151 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 921 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen tech | TFT LCD monitor | TFT LCD monitor |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.52x | 0.61x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 7.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 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 |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/200s | 1/180s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
| 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 | 560g (1.23 lb) | 740g (1.63 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 80 | 82 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 23.5 | 23.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.6 | 14.1 |
| DXO Low light rating | 1183 | 1162 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 660 pictures | 980 pictures |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | EN-EL14 | D-LI90 |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at release | $0 | $800 |