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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Revealed January 2015
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D5300
  • Later Model is Nikon D5600
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Here is a extensive assessment of the Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the D5500 (24MP) and K-x (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D5500 was brought out 5 years later than the K-x and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the D5500 grades against the K-x in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Pentax K-x

 D5500 K-x 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015December 2009Fresher by 62 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Nikon D5500

 K-x D5500 

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-x

 D5500 K-x 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D5500 offers outer measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has sizing of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the D5500 versus the K-x.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D5500 and K-x is 71 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to picture the difference between sensor sizing just by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D5500 and K-x.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Nikon D5500 to give extra detail having its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The younger D5500 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5500 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-x Portrait photography information
79
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5500 Street photography info
Pentax K-x Street photography info
75
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
boasts touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (420 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-x Sports photography factors
68
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking focus
better than average battery life (820 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery power (1,900 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5500 Travel photography features
Pentax K-x Travel photography features
81
better than average battery life (820 CIPA)
lighter than competitors in class (420g)
boasts touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
54
better than average battery power (1,900 CIPA)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5500 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (820 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (1,900 CIPA)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D5500
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
75
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone jack
lighter than competitors in class (420 grams)
does not have image stabilization
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-x
 Nikon D5500Pentax K-x
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D5500 Pentax K-x
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2015-01-06 2009-12-23
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4 Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 39 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - 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 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 16.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 420g (0.93 lbs) 580g (1.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 84 72
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 12.5
DXO Low light rating 1438 811
Other
Battery life 820 pictures 1900 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14,EN-EL14a 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $700 $600