• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 350.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Nikon L610

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.5 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    31 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon L610 advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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  • Body Only
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Buy the Nikon L610

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

The Competition

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 L610
Canon T3i
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon L610 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 L610
Nikon D5100
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon L610 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Sony H90

Pentax K-5
Sony H90
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Sony H90

Nikon L610
Sony H90
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon L610 vs Sony H90

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 L610
Pentax K-30
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon L610 vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Nikon L620

Pentax K-5
Nikon L620
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon L620

Nikon L610
Nikon L620
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $127
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon L610 vs Nikon L620

Compare Other Cameras?