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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Introduced January 2020
  • Old Model is Nikon D750
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-7
  • Replacement is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Nikon D780 versus Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the D780 (25MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the D780 (Full frame) and K-5 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The D780 was announced 9 years after the K-5 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the D780 matches up vs the K-5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Pentax K-5

 D780 K-5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2020December 2010Newer by 111 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k921kClearer display (+1438k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Nikon D780

 K-5 D780 

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-5

 D780 K-5 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D780 offers exterior dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D780 versus Pentax K-5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the D780 versus the K-5.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D780 and K-5 is 57 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by viewing technical specs. The image underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the D780 and K-5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D780 having a larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Nikon D780 will result in more detail with its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The newer D780 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D780
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
85
manual focus
amazing megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D780
Street photography with Pentax K-5
71
screen tilts up and down
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
weather proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Sports photography highlights
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
amazing megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
good battery (2,260 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Travel photography highlights
71
good battery (2,260 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
amazing megapixels (25 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
65
environment proof
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D780
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5
81
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
amazing megapixels (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
good battery (2,260 per charge)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
32
built-in touchscreen
supports face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Pentax K-5
 Nikon D780Pentax K-5
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D780 Pentax K-5
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2020-01-07 2010-12-18
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 Prime II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 25MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 6048 x 4024 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max boosted ISO 204800 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
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 51 11
Cross focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 2,359 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 840g (1.85 lbs) 740g (1.63 lbs)
Physical dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1162
Other
Battery life 2260 images 980 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15b D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual Single
Retail pricing $2,297 $800