Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-3 II

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Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-3 II

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5200 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D5200.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 II.
Compare Pentax K-3 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5300
Compare D5200 vs D5300

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 III
Compare K-3 II vs K-3 III

Compare NIKON D5300 vs PENTAX K-3 III

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Differences

Nikon D5200 advantages over Pentax K-3 II

Less expensive
$500 vs $830*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
D5200 test data on DxO Mark K-3 II test data on DxO Mark

1,284 vs 1,106 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More AF points
39 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 60 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Nikon D5200

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
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

720 vs 500 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
25 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.30 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.52x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
8.1 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.2 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
22 vs 7 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 25600 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
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

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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5200 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 II User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5200

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Kit with 18-55mm Lens
Body Only
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Kit with 18-140mm Lens

All D5200 Deals

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Buy the Pentax K-3 II

Body Only (Black)

All K-3 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Captures sharp, detailed photos with its new 24.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, even at higher ISOs; Features a familiar (D5100) but refined body design; Records Full HD video with full-time autofocus tracking; Packs a ton of advanced features into a consumer-friendly body at a great price.
Autofocuses a little slowly for its class and struggles at times in low light; Changing some basic settings takes more time and effort than it should; Mediocre kit lens.
Read our Nikon D5200 Review

Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots
No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors
Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D5200

Sony A65

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Sony A65

Pentax K-3 II

Sony A65

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
High resolution composite

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A65

Compared to Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200

$500
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

$477
APS-C

Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D3200

Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D3200

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$477
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D5200

Sony A58

$500
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Sony A58

Pentax K-3 II

Sony A58

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
High resolution composite

$598
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A58

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D5200

Canon T6i

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D5200

Pentax KP

$500
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

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