Nikon D5 vs Pentax K-70

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Nikon D5 vs Pentax K-70

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35mm 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-70 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-70 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-70.
Compare Pentax K-70 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-70 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6
Compare Nikon D6 vs Pentax K-70

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Differences

Nikon D5 advantages over Pentax K-70

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.45 vs 3.92 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 1.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

3780 vs 410 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
99 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher-res screen
590k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.72x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
153 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
12.1 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 47 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.1 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
183 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax K-70 advantages over Nikon D5

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$797 vs $3285*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
24.2 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
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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-70 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-70

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Silver)

All K-70 Deals

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

Huge bang for the buck; Great image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast autofocus; Good burst frame rate with deep buffer; Pentaprism viewfinder; Twin control dials; Articulated LCD; Comprehensive weather-sealing and freeze-proofing; Unbelievable wealth of rare to unique (yet very useful) features
Wi-Fi wireless communication is slow, clumsy and unintuitive; Video autofocus is prone to hunting or racking focus; Slow buffer clearing; Rather heavy for an entry-level DSLR; Autofocus and metering systems are a bit dated; Below average battery life
Read our Pentax K-70 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D5

Canon EOS-1D C

$4891
35mm

Touchscreen
More cross-type AF points

$6989
35mm

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Pentax K-70

Canon EOS-1D C

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$6989
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$4891
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Pentax K-70

Nikon D4S

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$5399
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon T6s

Nikon D5

Canon T6s

$4891
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$619
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon T6s

Pentax K-70

Canon T6s

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon T6s

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$4891
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-70

Canon 1DX Mark II

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Compared to Canon 77D

Nikon D5

Canon 77D

$4891
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$550
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 77D

Pentax K-70

Canon 77D

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$550
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon 77D

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