Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D7200

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Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D7200

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-5.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D7200 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D7200 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D7200.
Compare Nikon D7200 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D7200 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5 II
Compare K-5 vs K-5 II

Succeeded by the Nikon D7500
Compare D7200 vs D7500

Compare PENTAX K-5 II vs NIKON D7500

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Nikon D7200

Less expensive
$800* vs $1190
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
6.5 fps vs 5.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.5 fps vs 4.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D7200 advantages over Pentax K-5

Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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.
D7200 test data on DxO Mark K-5 test data on DxO Mark

1,333 vs 1,162 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

1110 vs 740 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
210 mm vs 83 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
More cross-type AF points
15 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
10 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
51 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
56 vs 31 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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

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 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-5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D7200 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-5

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Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-5 Deals

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Buy the Nikon D7200

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-140mm lens

All D7200 Deals

Review Excerpt

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).
Read our Pentax K-5 Full Review

Rugged, weather-sealed body; Great ergonomics and loads of controls; Accurate optical viewfinder; Excellent image quality; Decent burst speed; Swift autofocus; Generous buffer depths; Superb battery life
Mixes plastic and magnesium-alloy panels on exterior; LCD monitor can't be tilted or swiveled; Presents a steep learning curve; No focus peaking in live view; Video mode feels a bit of an afterthought; New Wi-Fi features are rough around the edges
Read our Nikon D7200 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7500

Pentax K-5

Nikon D7500

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Has anti-aliasing filter

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D7500

Nikon D7200

Nikon D7500

$1016
APS-C

NFC
More telephoto lens reach

$797
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D7200 vs Nikon D7500

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5

Canon T3i

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon T3i

Nikon D7200

Canon T3i

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D7200 vs Canon T3i

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-5

Nikon D5100

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Top deck display

$650
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D5100

Nikon D7200

Nikon D5100

$1016
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$650
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D7200 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5

Pentax K-30

$800
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-30

Nikon D7200

Pentax K-30

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D7200 vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Sony A77 II

Pentax K-5

Sony A77 II

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Sony A77 II

Nikon D7200

Sony A77 II

$1016
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D7200 vs Sony A77 II

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