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Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
66
Imaging
65
Features
77
Overall
69
Nikon D5200 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Nikon D5200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 555g - 129 x 98 x 78mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Old Model is Nikon D5100
  • New Model is Nikon D5300
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-r Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Nikon D5200 and Pentax K-r, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the D5200 (24MP) and K-r (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D5200 was brought out 2 years later than the K-r and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the D5200 grades vs the K-r in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5200 over the Pentax K-r

 D5200 K-r 
LaunchedMay 2013March 2011Fresher by 27 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Nikon D5200

 K-r D5200 

Common features in the Nikon D5200 and Pentax K-r

 D5200 K-r 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution921k921kSame display resolution
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D5200 offers external measurements of 129mm x 98mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") having a weight of 555 grams (1.22 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has specifications of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D5200 and Pentax K-r in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the D5200 versus the K-r.

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D5200 and K-r is 66 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor sizing merely by looking through specifications. The graphic underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the D5200 and K-r.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Nikon D5200 to render extra detail having its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The newer D5200 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5200 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-r Portrait photography advice
79
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW files
63
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5200 Street photography factors
Pentax K-r Street photography factors
69
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5200 Sports photography info
Pentax K-r Sports photography info
61
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (500 CIPA)
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (470 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5200 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-r Travel photography factors
69
megapixel count decent (24MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
bad battery (500 CIPA)
47
flash built-in
terrible battery life (470 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5200
Landscape photography with Pentax K-r
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (500 per charge)
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5200 Vlogging features
Pentax K-r Vlogging features
71
display is selfie friendly
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone support
lack of image stabilization
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
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Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5200 and Pentax K-r
 Nikon D5200Pentax K-r
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D5200 Pentax K-r
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-05-16 2011-03-11
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 3 Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 39 11
Cross focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 555 grams (1.22 pounds) 598 grams (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 129 x 98 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 84 72
DXO Color Depth score 24.2 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 12.4
DXO Low light score 1284 755
Other
Battery life 500 shots 470 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Price at release $595 $1,100