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


60 Imaging
57 Features
83 Overall
67
Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Announced June 2012
- Older Model is Nikon D700
- Later Model is Nikon D810
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Announced June 2013
- Older Model is Pentax K-5

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview
Here is a extended analysis of the Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the D800 (Full frame) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

The D800 was revealed 11 months prior to the K-5 IIs so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the D800 matches up versus the K-5 IIs in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D800 & Pentax K-5 IIs. The full galleries are provided at Nikon D800 Gallery & Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Pentax K-5 IIs
D800 | K-5 IIs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Nikon D800
K-5 IIs | D800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2013 | ![]() | June 2012 | Fresher by 11 months |
Common features in the Nikon D800 and Pentax K-5 IIs
D800 | K-5 IIs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | The same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D800 provides physical measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") along with a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 IIs has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).
Look at the Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the D800 versus the K-5 IIs.

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

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by researching specifications. The visual here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D800 and K-5 IIs.
Plainly, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The D800 having a larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Nikon D800 will provide you with more detail because of its extra 20MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The older D800 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications
Nikon D800 | Pentax K-5 IIs | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon D800 | Pentax K-5 IIs |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2012-06-11 | 2013-06-04 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
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 | 36MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 5:4 and 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | 51200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 51 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | 15 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 921k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen 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 | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames per sec | 7.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | 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 | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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) |
Maximum 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) |
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 Overall rating | 95 | 82 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 25.3 | 23.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.4 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 2853 | 1208 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 900 photographs | 980 photographs |
Type of battery | 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 feature | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 2 | One |
Cost at release | $2,999 | $749 |