Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5

Leave Feedback

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

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

35mm 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6

Compare PENTAX K-3 II vs NIKON D6

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon D5

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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
24.4 vs 20.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Nikon D5 advantages over Pentax K-3

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.45 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.9 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.
D5 test data on DxO Mark K-3 test data on DxO Mark

2,343 vs 1,216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

3780 vs 560 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher-res screen
590k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.72x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More AF points
153 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
12.1 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 75 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.1 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
183 vs 24 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 51200 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
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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

Body Only (CF Version)

Body Only (CF Version)
Body Only (XQD Version)
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition (XQD)

All D5 Deals

Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.
Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.
Read our Nikon D5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$745
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Nikon D5

Nikon D7100

$4893
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$745
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Nikon D5

Nikon D5300

$4893
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon D4S

Pentax K-3

Nikon D4S

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$5399
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$4893
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Nikon D5

Nikon D7200

$4893
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1016
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Pentax K-3

Canon 1DX Mark II

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$4893
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$2999
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Compare Other Cameras?