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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Revealed October 2019
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-5
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and K-5 II (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The Z50 was announced 6 years later than the K-5 II and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the Z50 scores against the K-5 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax K-5 II

 Z50 K-5 II 
AnnouncedOctober 2019June 2013Fresher by 78 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kClearer screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Nikon Z50

 K-5 II Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax K-5 II

 Z50 K-5 II 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon Z50 has outer dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") along with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the Z50 vs the K-5 II.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and K-5 II is 74 and 60 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over specifications. The photograph here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and K-5 II.

To sum up, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Nikon Z50 to deliver greater detail with its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern Z50 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z50
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5 II
80
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
74
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Street photography advice
73
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
includes touch to focus
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (397g)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 II
75
megapixel count decent (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography details
77
environment proof
has bluetooth
includes touch to focus
megapixel count decent (21MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (397g)
65
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
79
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
does not have image stabilization
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging details
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging details
71
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
has face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone support
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (397g)
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax K-5 II
 Nikon Z50Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Z50 Pentax K-5 II
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2019-10-10 2013-06-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Prime II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 5568 x 3712 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max boosted ISO 204800 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 209 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 15 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 gr (0.88 lbs) 760 gr (1.68 lbs)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 980 pictures
Battery type Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $857 $830