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Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
66
Imaging
55
Features
81
Overall
65
Nikon D5100 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
55
Features
82
Overall
65

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(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
Pentax K-5
(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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Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

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).

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The 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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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Pentax K-5

 D5100 K-5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed 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 
IntroducedApril 2011December 2010Same age
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kThe 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D5100 and K-5 is 66 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5100
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
73
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
73
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D5100
Street photography with Pentax K-5
67
fully articulated screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5100 Sports photography details
Pentax K-5 Sports photography details
63
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery (660 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
77
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5100 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Travel photography highlights
77
better than average battery (660 shots)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
65
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5100 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography information
72
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (660 shots)
lack of image stabilization
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
69
screen is selfie friendly
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic socket
lack of image stabilization
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone support
does not offer selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Pentax K-5
 Nikon D5100Pentax 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