Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50
66 Imaging
56 Features
81 Overall
66


63 Imaging
58 Features
65 Overall
60
Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Pentax K-30

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).

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.

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D5100 and Pentax K-50. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon D5100 Gallery and Pentax K-50 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Pentax K-50
D5100 | K-50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Nikon D5100
K-50 | D5100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | November 2013 | ![]() | April 2011 | Newer by 31 months |
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Pentax K-50
D5100 | K-50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurement |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | The 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications
Nikon D5100 | Pentax 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 |