Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-01

Cameras
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Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K-01

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APS-C 372.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5000.

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-01 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-01.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5100
Compare D5000 vs D5100
Compare Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-01

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Differences

Nikon D5000 advantages over Pentax K-01

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 2.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More telephoto lens reach
84 mm vs 61 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Less shutter lag
0.28 vs 0.80 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Wider angle kit lens
28 mm vs 61 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 9 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-01 advantages over Nikon D5000

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-01 test data on DxO Mark D5000 test data on DxO Mark

1,135 vs 868 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
58 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
16.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
5.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-01 User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 40mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D5000 Full Review

Very good image quality and excellent high ISO performance. Premium build quality. In-body image stabilization. Lots of creative features. Full HD movie capture with manual exposure control.
Barely any smaller than a standard SLR, but lacks viewfinder and phase-detect autofocus. Contrast-detect AF is slow and unreliable. Body design is clumsy and uncomfortable. Very slow raw burst shooting.
Read our Pentax K-01 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A350

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Pentax K-01

Sony DSLR-A350

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$900
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A300

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$563
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Pentax K-01

Sony DSLR-A300

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$563
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Samsung NX10

Nikon D5000

Samsung NX10

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Tiltable Screen

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Samsung NX10

Pentax K-01

Samsung NX10

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Samsung NX10

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A390

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$507
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Pentax K-01

Sony DSLR-A390

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$507
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Compared to Samsung NX20

Nikon D5000

Samsung NX20

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$400
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Thinner

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Samsung NX20

Pentax K-01

Samsung NX20

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$400
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-01 vs Samsung NX20

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