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Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
68
Imaging
66
Features
81
Overall
72
Nikon D5300 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Nikon D5300
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 480g - 125 x 98 x 76mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon D5200
  • Updated by Nikon D5500
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
  • Released March 2011
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Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the D5300 (24MP) and K-r (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D5300 was announced 2 years later than the K-r and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the D5300 matches up vs the K-r with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5300 over the Pentax K-r

 D5300 K-r 
ReleasedFebruary 2014March 2011More recent by 36 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Nikon D5300

 K-r D5300 

Common features in the Nikon D5300 and Pentax K-r

 D5300 K-r 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D5300 has outside dimensions of 125mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 480 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has measurements of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

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Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the D5300 and the K-r.

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D5300 and K-r is 68 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by reading specs. The graphic here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5300 and K-r.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Nikon D5300 to offer you greater detail with its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher D5300 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5300 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
79
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
63
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D5300
Street photography with Pentax K-r
70
screen articulates
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5300 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-r Sports photography factors
66
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
resolution not great (12MP)
low battery power (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5300 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Travel photography camera
80
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
47
built-in flash
low battery power (470 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5300 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-r Landscape photography details
76
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
low battery power (470 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5300 Vlogging information
Pentax K-r Vlogging information
72
screen is selfie friendly
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic socket
lack of image stabilization
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
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Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5300 and Pentax K-r
 Nikon D5300Pentax K-r
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D5300 Pentax K-r
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-02-12 2011-03-11
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 4 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 area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest boosted ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 39 11
Cross focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 480g (1.06 pounds) 598g (1.32 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 83 72
DXO Color Depth score 24.0 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 12.4
DXO Low light score 1338 755
Other
Battery life 600 shots 470 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14,EN-EL14a D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $429 $1,100