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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Nikon D5500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Replaced the Nikon D5300
  • Successor is Nikon D5600
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced November 2013
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the D5500 (24MP) and K-500 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D5500 was announced 14 months after the K-500 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise overview of how the D5500 scores against the K-500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Pentax K-500

 D5500 K-500 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015November 2013Newer by 14 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Nikon D5500

 K-500 D5500 

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-500

 D5500 K-500 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D5500 features outer dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the D5500 against the K-500.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D5500 and K-500 is 71 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading specs. The pic here will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the D5500 and K-500.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Nikon D5500 to deliver greater detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The fresher D5500 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5500 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography features
79
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
74
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5500 Street photography factors
Pentax K-500 Street photography factors
75
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
offers focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (420 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
great high ISO (51,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
68
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery (820 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery (710 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5500
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
81
better than average battery (820 CIPA)
lighter than competitors in class (420 grams)
offers focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
67
better than average battery (710 CIPA)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
78
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (820 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D5500
Vlogging with Pentax K-500
75
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic support
lighter than competitors in class (420g)
does not have image stabilization
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
missing microphone support
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-500
 Nikon D5500Pentax K-500
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D5500 Pentax K-500
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2015-01-06 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 51600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 39 11
Cross focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount 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 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 420 gr (0.93 pounds) 646 gr (1.42 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 84 79
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 13.1
DXO Low light score 1438 1087
Other
Battery life 820 pictures 710 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack AA
Battery model EN-EL14,EN-EL14a 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $700 $600