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Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
56
Imaging
70
Features
79
Overall
73
Nikon D600 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Nikon D600
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 850g - 141 x 113 x 82mm
  • Introduced November 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300S
  • Updated by Nikon D610
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
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Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Following is a complete overview of the Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the D600 (24MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the D600 (Full frame) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The D600 was unveiled 6 months prior to the K-5 IIs which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short summation of how the D600 grades versus the K-5 IIs in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D600 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 D600 K-5 IIs 
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Nikon D600

 K-5 IIs D600 

Common features in the Nikon D600 and Pentax K-5 IIs

 D600 K-5 IIs 
LaunchedNovember 2012June 2013Same generation
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution921k921kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D600 has got outside dimensions of 141mm x 113mm x 82mm (5.6" x 4.4" x 3.2") along with a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the D600 versus the K-5 IIs.

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D600 and K-5 IIs is 56 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out specifications. The picture below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the D600 and K-5 IIs.

Plainly, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The D600 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon D600 will show extra detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D600 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
82
you can focus manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D600 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Street photography camera
60
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D600 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography highlights
70
MP count good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.5 fps)
no image stabilization
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D600
Travel photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
66
weather proof
MP count good (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proofing
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D600
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
MP count good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
no image stabilization
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D600
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 IIs
30
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D600 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Nikon D600Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D600 Pentax K-5 IIs
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-11-13 2013-06-04
Body design 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 measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 6016 x 4016 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
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 mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.5 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
Fastest flash sync 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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 850 grams (1.87 lbs) 760 grams (1.68 lbs)
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 Overall score 94 82
DXO Color Depth score 25.1 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score 14.2 14.1
DXO Low light score 2980 1208
Other
Battery life 900 images 980 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC x 2 slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two 1
Pricing at release $1,900 $749