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Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
54
Imaging
77
Features
87
Overall
81
Nikon D850 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Announced August 2017
  • Superseded the Nikon D810
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Old Model is Pentax K-7
  • New Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Nikon D850 and Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the D850 (46MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the D850 (Full frame) and K-5 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The D850 was introduced 6 years after the K-5 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the D850 scores against the K-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Pentax K-5

 D850 K-5 
AnnouncedAugust 2017December 2010More modern by 82 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k921kCrisper display (+1438k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Nikon D850

 K-5 D850 

Common features in the Nikon D850 and Pentax K-5

 D850 K-5 
Manually focus More precise focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D850 provides external measurements of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") and a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Check the Nikon D850 and Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the D850 compared to the K-5.

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the D850 and K-5 is 54 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes simply by seeing specifications. The picture underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the D850 and K-5.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The D850 with its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon D850 will produce greater detail using its extra 30 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent D850 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
86
manual focus
MP count high (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D850 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 Street photography factors
66
tilting screen
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
supports focus by touch
environment proofing
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (1,015g)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D850
Sports photography with Pentax K-5
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count high (46 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
good battery (1,840 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D850 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-5 Travel photography advice
65
good battery (1,840 CIPA)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
supports focus by touch
MP count high (46MP)
more heavy than average in class (1,015g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
65
weather proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Landscape photography camera
82
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
MP count high (46MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
good battery (1,840 per charge)
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D850
Vlogging with Pentax K-5
29
touch screen
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (1,015 grams)
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic support
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D850 and Pentax K-5
 Nikon D850Pentax K-5
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D850 Pentax K-5
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2017-08-24 2010-12-18
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 5 Prime II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 8256 x 5504 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max boosted ISO 102400 51200
Min native ISO 64 80
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 153 11
Cross focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,359k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.75x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1015g (2.24 lb) 740g (1.63 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 100 82
DXO Color Depth score 26.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 14.8 14.1
DXO Low light score 2660 1162
Other
Battery life 1840 images 980 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15a D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 1
Retail pricing $2,997 $800