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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Revealed January 2020
  • Superseded the Nikon D750
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-5
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Lets look closer at the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-5 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the D780 (25MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the D780 (Full frame) and K-5 II (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The D780 was brought out 6 years later than the K-5 II and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief summary of how the D780 scores versus the K-5 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Pentax K-5 II

 D780 K-5 II 
IntroducedJanuary 2020June 2013More recent by 81 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k921kSharper display (+1438k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Nikon D780

 K-5 II D780 

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-5 II

 D780 K-5 II 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D780 enjoys physical dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the D780 against the K-5 II.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the D780 and K-5 II is 57 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading through specifications. The photograph underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D780 and K-5 II.

Plainly, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The D780 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Nikon D780 will resolve greater detail having its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more modern D780 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography highlights
85
manual focus
amazing sensor resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Street photography camera
71
tilting screen
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
includes focus by touch
environment sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography highlights
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
amazing sensor resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery pack (2,260 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Travel photography camera
71
great battery pack (2,260 per charge)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
includes focus by touch
amazing sensor resolution (25MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
65
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography information
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
amazing sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
great battery pack (2,260 shots)
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D780
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 II
32
touchscreen capability
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone port
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic support
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Pentax K-5 II
 Nikon D780Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D780 Pentax K-5 II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2020-01-07 2013-06-04
Physical type 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 dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 6048 x 4024 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 204800 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO 50 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 51 11
Cross focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 2,359 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 840 grams (1.85 lbs) 760 grams (1.68 lbs)
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 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 2260 photographs 980 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15b D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual 1
Pricing at launch $2,297 $830