• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon D7000 advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1050 vs 740 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    39 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus

Pentax K-5 advantages over Nikon D7000

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    31 vs 19 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • 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
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-5

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; Better than average noise vs. detail handling at high ISOs; Very good dynamic range in JPEGs, excellent in RAW files; Lots of high-end features in a relatively compact body; 6 fps burst mode.

  • Viewfinder not as accurate as specified; Viewfinder doesn't show ISO unless adjusting; No live histogram in Live View mode; No phase-detect Live View AF mode.

  • Excellent high ISO performance, one of the best APS-C sensors yet; 6.5 fps burst mode has very good buffer depths; Weather, dust, and cold resistant; In-body Shake Reduction corrects not only horizontal / vertical, but also rotational motion.

  • Default saturation and contrast a bit high; Auto white balance too warm in tungsten light; Fewer AF points than main competitors; Only a single card slot, and no UHS-I card support (slow buffer clearing).

The Competition

Compared to Canon 60D

Nikon D7000
Canon 60D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
Pentax K-5
Canon 60D
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon T3i

Nikon D7000
Canon T3i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Pentax K-5
Canon T3i
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon D5100

Nikon D7000
Nikon D5100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lighter weight
Pentax K-5
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Top deck display
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax K-30

Nikon D7000
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Pentax K-5
Pentax K-30
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D7000
Pentax K-5 II
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
Pentax K-5
Pentax K-5 II
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less shutter lag
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
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