• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D3200 advantages over Pentax K-5 IIs

  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-5 IIs advantages over Nikon D3200

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 540 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.61x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.7 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    22 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • High resolution allows cropping; Good performance in low light; Compact and comfortable, highly portable; Fast and responsive, just begs to take pictures; Quiet shutter is great for candids.

  • Mediocre kit lens; Might be too small for some; No bracketing; Narrow flash coverage; Matrix metering tends to overexpose.

  • Noticeably better sharpness than standard K-5 II; Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Prone to moire, aliasing, and false color artifacts; Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A35

Nikon D3200
Sony A35
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A35
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D3200
Sony A65
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A65
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony A37

Nikon D3200
Sony A37
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A37
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200
Nikon D5200
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Higher effective ISO
Pentax K-5 IIs
Nikon D5200
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D3200
Sony A58
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A58
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
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