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Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
61
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon Z6 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Nikon Z6 II
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Launched October 2020
  • Earlier Model is Nikon Z6
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum 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 Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the Z6 II (25MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the Z6 II (Full frame) and K-5 II (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The Z6 II was unveiled 7 years later than the K-5 II and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z6 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the Z6 II matches up versus the K-5 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 II over the Pentax K-5 II

 Z6 II K-5 II 
AnnouncedOctober 2020June 2013Fresher by 90 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k921kCrisper display (+1179k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Nikon Z6 II

 K-5 II Z6 II 

Common features in the Nikon Z6 II and Pentax K-5 II

 Z6 II K-5 II 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z6 II provides external dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the Z6 II vs the K-5 II.

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Z6 II and K-5 II is 61 and 60 respectively.

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing merely by looking at specs. The visual underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z6 II and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Z6 II using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon Z6 II will give you more detail having an extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The younger Z6 II will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography highlights
86
has manual focus
amazing megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Street photography factors
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
provides touch focus
environment proof
good ISO range (51,200)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Sports photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography factors
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
terrible battery (410 per charge)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography info
66
environment proof
has bluetooth
provides touch focus
amazing megapixels (25MP)
terrible battery (410 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
65
environment proofing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z6 II as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
82
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (410 per charge)
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z6 II as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Vlogging camera
36
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z6 II and Pentax K-5 II
 Nikon Z6 Mark IIPentax K-5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z6 Mark II Pentax K-5 II
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2020-10-14 2013-06-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 6048 x 4024 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 204800 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 273 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 15 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 2,100k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 14.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 28 Mbps, 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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 705 gr (1.55 lb) 760 gr (1.68 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 410 images 980 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type CFexpress Type B / XQD SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 One
Price at release $1,997 $830