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Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
66
Imaging
57
Features
81
Overall
66
Nikon D5100 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Launched April 2011
  • Older Model is Nikon D5000
  • Refreshed by Nikon D5200
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
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Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the D5100 (16MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D5100 was unveiled 3 years prior to the K-50 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summary of how the D5100 scores versus the K-50 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Pentax K-50

 D5100 K-50 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Nikon D5100

 K-50 D5100 
AnnouncedNovember 2013April 2011Newer by 31 months

Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Pentax K-50

 D5100 K-50 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Display resolution921k921kThe same display resolution
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D5100 features outer measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-50 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the D5100 compared to the K-50.

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D5100 and K-50 is 66 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specs. The image underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the D5100 and K-50.

All in all, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of photos although you would want to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged D5100 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5100 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography factors
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5100 Street photography info
Pentax K-50 Street photography info
67
screen articulates fully
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
above average high ISO (51,600)
screen does not articulate
heavier than competitors in class (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D5100
Sports photography with Pentax K-50
64
good megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
good battery power (660 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
terrible battery (410 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D5100 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Travel photography camera
77
good battery power (660 per charge)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
56
environment proof
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery (410 shots)
heavier than competitors in class (650g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5100 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography highlights
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (660 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 Vlogging information
Pentax K-50 Vlogging information
69
selfie friendly screen
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone jack
does not have image stabilization
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have external mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (650g)
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Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Pentax K-50
 Nikon D5100Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D5100 Pentax K-50
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-04-26 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 2 PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 370.5mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 51600
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum 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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 560 grams (1.23 lb) 650 grams (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 13.0
DXO Low light rating 1183 1120
Other
Battery life 660 images 410 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $0 $610