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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Nikon D800
(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
Pentax K-5 II
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Pentax K-5 II

 D800 K-5 II 
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Nikon D800

 K-5 II D800 
ReleasedJune 2013June 2012Fresher by 11 months

Common features in the Nikon D800 and Pentax K-5 II

 D800 K-5 II 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution921k921kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography factors
83
has manual focus
amazing MP (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D800
Street photography with Pentax K-5 II
60
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D800
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 II
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
amazing MP (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography highlights
66
environment proofing
amazing MP (36MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
65
weather proofing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
amazing MP (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Vlogging camera
30
includes face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic support
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800 and Pentax K-5 II
 Nikon D800Pentax 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