Clicky

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand 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
  • Introduced July 2020
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released October 2012
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-50
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and K-30 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The Z5 was revealed 7 years later than the K-30 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the Z5 grades against the K-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Pentax K-30

 Z5 K-30 
ReleasedJuly 2020October 2012Fresher by 95 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k921kSharper display (+119k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Nikon Z5

 K-30 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-30

 Z5 K-30 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z5 has got exterior measurements 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-30 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the Z5 against the K-30.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and K-30 is 62 and 63 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking specifications. The graphic below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Z5 and K-30.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Z5 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon Z5 will give greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos far more aggressively. The newer Z5 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
85
focusing manually
good megapixels (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z5
Street photography with Pentax K-30
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
supports touch to focus
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competitors (675g)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-30 Sports photography advice
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery pack (470 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 fps)
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
low battery power (410 CIPA)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery pack (470 shots)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
good megapixels (24MP)
heavier than competitors (675g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
60
weather sealing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery power (410 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
86
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
great battery pack (470 CIPA)
two card slots
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
low battery power (410 shots)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
34
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors (675g)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-30
 Nikon Z5Pentax K-30
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z5 Pentax K-30
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2020-07-20 2012-10-29
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4016 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
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 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.5 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
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, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 gr (1.49 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1129
Other
Battery life 470 images 410 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15c D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 One
Price at launch $1,399 $525