Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D5

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Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D5

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-50 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-50.

35mm 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-70
Compare K-50 vs K-70

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6

Compare PENTAX K-70 vs NIKON D6

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Differences

Pentax K-50 advantages over Nikon D5

Less expensive
$149 vs $3325*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Nikon D5 advantages over Pentax K-50

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.45 vs 4.81 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
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.
D5 test data on DxO Mark K-50 test data on DxO Mark

2,343 vs 1,120 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

3780 vs 480 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
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Higher-res screen
590k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.72x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.8 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
153 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
12.1 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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
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
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-50 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-50

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Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses
Kit with 18-55mm lens

All K-50 Deals

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Buy the Nikon D5

Body Only (CF Version)

Body Only (CF Version)
Body Only (XQD Version)
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition (XQD)

All D5 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-50, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-50 First Shots

Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.
Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.
Read our Nikon D5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-50

Sony A57

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A57

Nikon D5

Sony A57

$4911
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5 vs Sony A57

Compared to Sony A37

Pentax K-50

Sony A37

$149
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$600
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Sony A37

Nikon D5

Sony A37

$4911
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5 vs Sony A37

Compared to Nikon D3300

Pentax K-50

Nikon D3300

$149
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$367
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D3300

Nikon D5

Nikon D3300

$4911
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$367
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D3300

Compared to Nikon D4S

Pentax K-50

Nikon D4S

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5399
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$4911
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Pentax K-50

Canon 1DX Mark II

$149
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-50 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$4911
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$2999
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

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