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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Nikon D5500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Older Model is Nikon D5300
  • Updated by Nikon D5600
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
  • Revealed March 2011
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-r, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the D5500 (24MP) and K-r (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D5500 was launched 3 years later than the K-r and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the D5500 matches up vs the K-r for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Pentax K-r

 D5500 K-r 
RevealedJanuary 2015March 2011More recent by 47 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k921kSharper display (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Nikon D5500

 K-r D5500 

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-r

 D5500 K-r 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D5500 enjoys physical 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-r has proportions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-r in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the D5500 against the K-r.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D5500 and K-r is 71 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by looking through technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D5500 and K-r.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon D5500 to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The younger D5500 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5500 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-r Portrait photography features
79
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5500 Street photography features
Pentax K-r Street photography features
75
screen can move to multiple angles
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
offers focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (420 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 Sports photography features
Pentax K-r Sports photography features
68
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery life (820 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5500 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-r Travel photography advice
81
great battery life (820 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (420 grams)
offers focus by touch
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
47
flash built-in
low battery (470 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5500 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-r Landscape photography advice
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (820 CIPA)
no image stabilization
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-r as a Vlogging camera
75
selfie friendly display
touch screen
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone support
lighter than competition in class (420g)
no image stabilization
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-r
 Nikon D5500Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D5500 Pentax K-r
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2015-01-06 2011-03-11
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 39 11
Cross type focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 420 grams (0.93 pounds) 598 grams (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 84 72
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 12.4
DXO Low light rating 1438 755
Other
Battery life 820 photos 470 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $700 $1,100