• 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Nikon D5 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.45 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 670 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    99 vs 25
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More AF points
    153 vs 33
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 77 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.1 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    183 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3276800 vs 819200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Nikon D5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $1997 vs $3290*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Lighter weight
    1010g vs 1415g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 20.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.

  • Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.

  • Read our Nikon D5 Review

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D5
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $6989
  • 35mm

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Pentax K-1 II
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D4S
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D5
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2099
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Nikon D5
Nikon D850
  • $4893
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer video battery life
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?