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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
54
Imaging
72
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
57
Features
83
Overall
67

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Nikon D800
(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
Pentax K-5 IIs
(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
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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.

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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.

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

 D800 K-5 IIs 
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

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

 K-5 IIs D800 
AnnouncedJune 2013June 2012Fresher by 11 months

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

 D800 K-5 IIs 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution921k921kThe 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D800
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
83
focusing manually
megapixel count great (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography factors
59
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D800 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography highlights
73
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count great (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D800
Travel photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
66
environment proof
megapixel count great (36 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have selfie friendly screen
65
weather proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography info
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
megapixel count great (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging advice
30
features face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

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