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Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
56
Imaging
69
Features
79
Overall
73
Nikon D600 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Nikon D600
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 850g - 141 x 113 x 82mm
  • Introduced November 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300S
  • Replacement is Nikon D610
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-7
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Nikon D600 versus Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the D600 (24MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the D600 (Full frame) and K-5 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The D600 was launched 24 months later than the K-5 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the D600 grades against the K-5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D600 over the Pentax K-5

 D600 K-5 
IntroducedNovember 2012December 2010More recent by 24 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Nikon D600

 K-5 D600 

Common features in the Nikon D600 and Pentax K-5

 D600 K-5 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution921k921kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Nikon D600 provides exterior measurements of 141mm x 113mm x 82mm (5.6" x 4.4" x 3.2") with a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D600 versus Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the D600 against the K-5.

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the D600 and K-5 is 56 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements purely by researching specs. The photograph here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D600 and K-5.

All in all, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The D600 because of its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Nikon D600 will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more modern D600 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D600 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography highlights
81
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D600 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Street photography camera
60
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D600
Sports photography with Pentax K-5
70
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (5.5 fps)
does not have image stabilization
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D600 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-5 Travel photography factors
66
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not posses selfie friendly screen
65
weather proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D600 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography features
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D600 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
30
provides face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone socket
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D600 and Pentax K-5
 Nikon D600Pentax K-5
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D600 Pentax K-5
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-11-13 2010-12-18
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 6016 x 4016 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 39 11
Cross focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.5fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
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 850 grams (1.87 pounds) 740 grams (1.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 141 x 113 x 82mm (5.6" x 4.4" x 3.2") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 94 82
DXO Color Depth score 25.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 14.2 14.1
DXO Low light score 2980 1162
Other
Battery life 900 images 980 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC x 2 slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 Single
Retail pricing $1,900 $800