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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Pentax K-70 front
Portability
62
Imaging
67
Features
81
Overall
72

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 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
  • Succeeded the Nikon D5300
  • Successor is Nikon D5600
Pentax K-70
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 688g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Announced June 2016
  • Successor is Pentax KF
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Nikon D5500 versus Pentax K-70, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the D5500 (24MP) and the K-70 (24MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D5500 was launched 17 months prior to the K-70 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the D5500 matches up against the K-70 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Pentax K-70

 D5500 K-70 
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-70 over the Nikon D5500

 K-70 D5500 
AnnouncedJune 2016January 2015Fresher by 17 months

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-70

 D5500 K-70 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D5500 has outside measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-70 has sizing of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D5500 versus Pentax K-70 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the D5500 and the K-70.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D5500 and K-70 is 71 and 62 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking specifications. The graphic underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the D5500 and K-70.

To sum up, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you can expect similar quality of files though you really should take the age of the products into consideration. The older D5500 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5500
Portrait photography with Pentax K-70
79
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
80
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D5500 Street photography advice
Pentax K-70 Street photography advice
75
screen articulates fully
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
boasts focus via touch
lighter than others (420 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
71
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
great ISO range (102,400)
more heavy than others (688g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-70 as a Sports photography camera
68
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
great battery life (820 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5500
Travel photography with Pentax K-70
81
great battery life (820 shots)
lighter than others (420 grams)
boasts focus via touch
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
64
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
more heavy than others (688 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5500 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-70 Landscape photography information
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
resolution is good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (820 per charge)
no image stabilization
78
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (102,400)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-70 as a Vlogging camera
75
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic socket
lighter than others (420 grams)
no image stabilization
71
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone support
more heavy than others (688g)
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-70
 Nikon D5500Pentax K-70
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D5500 Pentax K-70
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2015-01-06 2016-06-08
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 39 11
Cross focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.63x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
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, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 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, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 420g (0.93 pounds) 688g (1.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 84 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1438 not tested
Other
Battery life 820 shots 410 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14,EN-EL14a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $700 $649