• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Pentax K-30 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
    ~ 4.81 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 21.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,129 vs 479 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 81 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    45 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J5 advantages over Pentax K-30

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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 71 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 1088g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 Pentax K-30

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Review Excerpt

  • Pentaprism viewfinder is bright and accurate; Weather-sealed body can handle direct rain; Twin control dials make exposure control a snap; Solid build; Great image quality.

  • Lower resolution than some rivals; Not as small as recent Pentax entry-level and mid-range models; A couple of ergonomic and UI quirks; Shutter isn't the quietest; 18-55 kit lens isn't weather-sealed.

  • 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 D7000

Pentax K-30
Nikon D7000
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon J5
Nikon D7000
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-30
Canon T4i
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon J5
Canon T4i
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-30
Pentax K-5 II
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon J5
Pentax K-5 II
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Pentax K-30
Samsung NX Mini
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J4

Pentax K-30
Nikon J4
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
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