• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.5 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Samsung NX Mini

  • 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 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 530 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.35 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    31 vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    23 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Samsung NX Mini advantages over Pentax K-5

  • 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
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    269g vs 1003g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.5 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

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).

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
Samsung NX Mini
Canon T3i
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

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
Samsung NX Mini
Nikon D5100
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

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
Samsung NX Mini
Pentax K-30
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon J4

Pentax K-5
Nikon J4
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J4
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Nikon J5

Pentax K-5
Nikon J5
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J5
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
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