Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II
54 Imaging
72 Features
80 Overall
75


60 Imaging
57 Features
82 Overall
67
Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Introduced June 2012
- Earlier Model is Nikon D700
- Newer Model is Nikon D810
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Released June 2013
- Older Model is Pentax K-5

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview
Here is a in depth review of the Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the D800 (Full frame) and K-5 II (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizes.

The D800 was announced 11 months earlier than the K-5 II and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the D800 matches up vs the K-5 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D800 and Pentax K-5 II. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon D800 Gallery and Pentax K-5 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Pentax K-5 II
D800 | K-5 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Nikon D800
K-5 II | D800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2013 | ![]() | June 2012 | Fresher by 11 months |
Common features in the Nikon D800 and Pentax K-5 II
D800 | K-5 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D800 has got physical dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).
Compare the Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the D800 and the K-5 II.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D800 and K-5 II is 54 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking specifications. The photograph here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the D800 and K-5 II.
To sum up, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D800 using its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Nikon D800 will give more detail with its extra 20MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older D800 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications
Nikon D800 | Pentax K-5 II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon D800 | Pentax K-5 II |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2012-06-11 | 2013-06-04 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | 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 area | 861.6mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 5:4 and 3:2 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Max boosted ISO | 25600 | 51200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 51 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | 15 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 309 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 921k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 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 port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 900g (1.98 lbs) | 760g (1.68 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 95 | 82 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 25.3 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.4 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 2853 | 1235 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 900 pictures | 980 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL15 | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Two | Single |
Pricing at launch | $2,999 | $830 |