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Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
54
Imaging
74
Features
78
Overall
75
Nikon D810 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Nikon D810
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 980g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Announced June 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon D800
  • Refreshed by Nikon D850
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Older Model is Pentax K-7
  • New Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Let's look closer at the Nikon D810 versus Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the D810 (36MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the D810 (Full frame) and K-5 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The D810 was manufactured 3 years later than the K-5 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the D810 matches up versus the K-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D810 over the Pentax K-5

 D810 K-5 
LaunchedJune 2014December 2010Fresher by 43 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1229k921kCrisper display (+308k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Nikon D810

 K-5 D810 

Common features in the Nikon D810 and Pentax K-5

 D810 K-5 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D810 provides external dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") along with a weight of 980 grams (2.16 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Check the Nikon D810 versus Pentax K-5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the D810 compared to the K-5.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D810 and K-5 is 54 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing only by looking at specs. The photograph here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D810 and K-5.

All in all, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D810 because of its larger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Nikon D810 will give you extra detail due to its extra 20MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The more modern D810 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D810 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography features
84
has manual focus
megapixel count excellent (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
73
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D810 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Street photography camera
56
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others (980g)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D810 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Sports photography highlights
75
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count excellent (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery life (1,200 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D810 Travel photography information
Pentax K-5 Travel photography information
63
better than average battery life (1,200 per charge)
weather proofing
megapixel count excellent (36 megapixels)
flash built-in
more heavy than others (980 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
weather proofing
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D810 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography factors
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
megapixel count excellent (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery life (1,200 shots)
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
78
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D810 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-5 Vlogging advice
28
supports face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others (980 grams)
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D810 and Pentax K-5
 Nikon D810Pentax K-5
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D810 Pentax K-5
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-06-26 2010-12-18
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip EXPEED 4 Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 7360 x 4912 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max boosted ISO 51200 51200
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 51 11
Cross focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,229 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT-LCD (WRGB) TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 980 gr (2.16 lb) 740 gr (1.63 lb)
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 score 97 82
DXO Color Depth score 25.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 14.8 14.1
DXO Low light score 2853 1162
Other
Battery life 1200 images 980 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs for up to 9 shots) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 One
Launch price $1,999 $800