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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released July 2020
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-3
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-3 II, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the Z5 (24MP) and the K-3 II (24MP) is pretty similar but the Z5 (Full frame) and K-3 II (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The Z5 was released 5 years later than the K-3 II and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the Z5 scores vs the K-3 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Pentax K-3 II

 Z5 K-3 II 
IntroducedJuly 2020April 2015More recent by 64 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k1037kCrisper screen (+3k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Nikon Z5

 K-3 II Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-3 II

 Z5 K-3 II 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z5 enjoys outer dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 II has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-3 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the Z5 against the K-3 II.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and K-3 II is 62 and 59 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing technical specs. The photograph underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z5 and K-3 II.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The Z5 includes the bigger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh simpler. The more modern Z5 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 II
85
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
79
focusing manually
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Street photography highlights
74
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
environment sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competition (675g)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z5
Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery pack (470 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (4.5 fps)
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery power (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography highlights
68
good battery pack (470 shots)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
good resolution (24MP)
heavier than competition (675g)
does not have selfie friendly display
56
weather sealing
MP count decent (24MP)
not so great battery power (720 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography highlights
86
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery pack (470 shots)
has dual storage slots
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
not so great battery power (720 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging features
Pentax K-3 II Vlogging features
34
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
heavier than competition (675 grams)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-3 II
 Nikon Z5Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z5 Pentax K-3 II
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2020-07-20 2015-04-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 6016 x 4016 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 51200
Highest boosted ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 273 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.5 frames per second 8.3 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes 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 (available with dedicated external flash)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/180s
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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 gr (1.49 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 1106
Other
Battery life 470 photos 720 photos
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 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 2
Launch pricing $1,399 $829