• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 14.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Pentax K20D advantages over Nikon D5

  • 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
  • Thinner
    70 mm vs 92 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    802g vs 1415g
    Lighter weight

Nikon D5 advantages over Pentax K20D

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.45 vs 5.05 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,343 vs 639 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.3 vs 11.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 530 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • Newer
    9 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    2359k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.72x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 14.6 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
    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 2.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 38 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    3276800 vs 6400 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
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Nikon D5

Review Excerpt

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Pentax K20D
Samsung GX-20
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D5
Samsung GX-20
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K20D
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • HDMI out
Nikon D5
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K20D
Pentax K-7
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
Nikon D5
Pentax K-7
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D4S

Pentax K20D
Nikon D4S
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Pentax K20D
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $4891
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
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