Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S1

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Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S1

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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
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-S1 Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon D5300
Compare D5200 vs D5300
Compare Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S1

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Differences

Nikon D5200 advantages over Pentax K-S1

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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-S1 test data on DxO Mark

1,284 vs 1,061 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More pixels
24.1 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
39 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 20 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-S1 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
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.52x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
5.4 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 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
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
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
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 D5200 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S1 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5200

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

Kit with 18-55mm Lens
Body Only
Kit with 18-105mm Lens
Kit with 18-140mm Lens

All D5200 Deals

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Buy the Pentax K-S1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses

All K-S1 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

We haven’t reviewed the Pentax K-S1.
Read our Pentax K-S1 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D5200

Sony A65

$590
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Sony A65

Pentax K-S1

Sony A65

$502
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$798
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A65

Compared to Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200

$590
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

$477
APS-C

Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D3200

Pentax K-S1

Nikon D3200

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$477
APS-C

External Mic Jack
More pixels

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D5200

Sony A58

$590
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Sony A58

Pentax K-S1

Sony A58

$502
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A58

Compared to Nikon D5500

Nikon D5200

Nikon D5500

$590
APS-C

Less expensive
Has anti-aliasing filter

$697
APS-C

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5500

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Pentax K-S2

Nikon D5200

Pentax K-S2

$590
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2

$502
APS-C

Higher-res screen

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2

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