• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

Buy From

Differences

Nikon J5 advantages over Pentax KP

  • Less expensive
    $497 vs $999*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    59.4 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    20 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax KP advantages over Nikon J5

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.91 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/180 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    35 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/24000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax KP

Review Excerpt

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon J5
Nikon J3
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Pentax KP
Nikon J3
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
Pentax KP
Samsung NX Mini
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Nikon J4

Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Pentax KP
Nikon J4
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon J5
Nikon D5600
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
Pentax KP
Nikon D5600
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon T7i

Nikon J5
Canon T7i
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
Pentax KP
Canon T7i
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Compare Other Cameras?