Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D5 Compare

Here you can find digital cameras comparison. Pick up with the best rating.

Cameras which are being compared are Professional DSLR cameras.

K-1 II vs D5 - Side by side

Learn more about compared cameras specifications below.

Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D5 Specs

K-1 II

  • Introduced in February 2018
  • Professional DSLR
  • Sensor: Full frame
  • 36 megapixel
  • 4 frames/second
  • 100 – 819200 ISO
  • 1920 x 1080 Video
  • Viewfinder: Optical (Penta prism)
  • 76.00mm (3.0″) Monitor, articulated
  • Lens mount KAF2
  • WiFi built-in
  • 136.5 x 110 x 85.5mm³ (5.4″ x 4.3″ x 3.4″)
  • 1010g (32.6 oz.)

All specs: Main page for K-1 II

D5

  • Introduced in January 2016
  • Professional DSLR
  • Sensor: Full frame
  • 21 megapixel
  • 14 frames/second
  • 100 – 102400 ISO
  • 3840 x 2160 Video
  • Viewfinder: Optical (Penta prism)
  • 80.00mm (3.1″) Monitor, articulated
  • Lens mount F
  • No WiFi
  • 160 x 148.5 x 92mm³ (6.3″ x 5.8″ x 3.6″)
  • 1405g (45.3 oz.)

All specs: Main page for D5

K-1 II vs D5 Sensors

On the pictures below the sensor areas of cameras are highlighted.

This infographic highlights the sensor areas of both models compared to other common sensor formats:

Info graphic: K-1 II an D5 sensor comparison

K-1 II vs D5: Viewfinder

K-1 II has an optical viewfinder with penta prism. It has magnification of 0.70x and covers 100% of view field.

The D5 features an optical viewfinder with a penta prism that also covers 100% of the field of view, its magnification is c. 0.72x.

Viewfinder magnifications of compared cameras. The black area shows a magnification of 1x, relative to native size; in red is a magnification of 0.85x.

K-1 II (0.70x)

D5 (0.72x)

Better choice: Nikon D5

Pentax K-1 II VS Nikon D5 Other Specs Comparison

Why is Pentax K-1 II a better choice

K-1 II

D5

Wider resolution (5, megapixel)

36.40 20.80
Better sensibility (4)

100 – 819200 ISO 100 – 102400 ISO
Image stabilizer (3)

Weighs less (2)

1010g
(32.6 oz.)
1405g
(45.3 oz.)
More portable (2)

1284cm³
(81 cu.in.)
2186cm³
(138 cu.in.)
WiFi (2)

GPS (2)

Conclusion: Advantages of the K-1 II are the higher resolution, the larger sensitivity and the optical image stabilizer. A nice touch is the lower weight than the D5, the more compact size and the built-in wifi that permits remote shooting and image transfer without the need for a cable connection. Finally, there’s the the built-in GPS.

The K-1 II scores 20 points.

Otherwise why to choose Nikon D5

K-1 II

D5

Higher speed (4, frames/second)

4 14
Auto Focus points (4)

33 153
Larger lens selection (3)

40 200
Better monitor (2, Megapixel)

1.04 2.36
Touch screen (2)

Better Video (2)

1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160
Longer battery life (3, photos)

670 3780
USB 3.0 (2)

Conclusion: Advantages of the D5 are that the camera is faster, the faster and more accurate auto focus and the larger selection of lenses. We also like that the display has a higher resolution, the rather comfortable touch screen and the superior video recording. A recommendation of the D5 is made easy by that the battery has more stamina and the support for USB 3.0. HArdly a luxury, given today’s image size and the requirements of 4K video.

Yields 22 points for the D5.

Common Specs for both cameras compared

K-1 II

D5

Sensor format

Full frame Full frame
Sensor cleaning

Articulated screen

External microphone

Environmental sealing

Pentax K-1 II VS Nikon D5 Dimensions

Look at front view of the K-1 II and D5

Top view of cameras

Total scores

Here’s the total score according to comparison above:

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D5

20
22

We advise to choose the newest model: Pentax K-1 II.