• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Pentax K-5 II advantages over Nikon S1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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 3.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    23.8 vs 21.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,235 vs 397 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.1 vs 11.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 74 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    27 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S1 advantages over Pentax K-5 II

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    323g vs 1200g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5 II

Review Excerpt

  • Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Sharp, detailed images with very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5 II
Nikon D7000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon S1
Nikon D7000
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon J1

Pentax K-5 II
Nikon J1
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon S1
Nikon J1
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Nikon S1
Pentax K-30
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-5 II
Canon T4i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon S1
Canon T4i
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon J2

Pentax K-5 II
Nikon J2
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon S1
Nikon J2
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Wider angle kit lens
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