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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Introduced July 2020
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Nikon Z5 versus Pentax K-1, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and K-1 (36MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (Full frame).

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The Z5 was unveiled 4 years later than the K-1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the Z5 scores versus the K-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Pentax K-1

 Z5 K-1 
LaunchedJuly 2020February 2016More recent by 54 months
Display resolution1040k1037kClearer display (+3k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Nikon Z5

 K-1 Z5 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-1

 Z5 K-1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3.2"3.2"Equal display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z5 has got outer measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z5 versus Pentax K-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the Z5 compared to the K-1.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and K-1 is 62 and 55 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to see the gap in sensor measurements simply by viewing specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the Z5 and K-1.

All in all, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Pentax K-1 to render more detail having an extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The younger Z5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
85
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
85
manual focus
MP count amazing (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z5
Street photography with Pentax K-1
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
provides focus via touch
environment sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competition (675g)
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
great ISO range (204,800)
heavier than average (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (470 CIPA)
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 fps)
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (4.4 fps)
terrible battery pack (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-1 Travel photography factors
68
better than average battery life (470 CIPA)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
more heavy than competition (675 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
53
environment proof
MP count amazing (36 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (760 shots)
heavier than average (1,010 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Landscape photography camera
86
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery life (470 per charge)
has double storage slots
81
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great ISO range (204,800)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
terrible battery pack (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-1 Vlogging factors
34
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (675g)
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic support
does not posses selfie friendly display
heavier than average (1,010 grams)
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-1
 Nikon Z5Pentax K-1
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z5 Pentax K-1
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2020-07-20 2016-02-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 6016 x 4016 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 51200 204800
Max enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 273 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 15 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.5 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675g (1.49 lbs) 1010g (2.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 470 shots 760 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15c D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Two Two
Retail cost $1,399 $1,499