Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-5 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 16.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D5100
49
SCORE
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Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-5 II
57
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D5100 and the Pentax K-5 II are DSLRs released a year apart, with bodies built to different priorities. The 2012 K-5 II comes as a weather-sealed 760 g body, while the 2011 D5100 is a lighter 560 g design. Their mounts matter too, because Nikon F DX and Pentax KAF draw on entirely separate lens systems. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 5, 2011 | September 11, 2012 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 128 x 97 x 79 mm | 131 x 97 x 73 mm |
| Camera weight | 560 g | 760 g |
| Optics | 52/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Pentax K-5 II is the stronger camera for action and handheld work. It shoots at 7 fps against the D5100's 4 fps, so a burst covers more of a moving subject. Its 1/8000 second maximum shutter allows half the exposure time of the D5100's 1/4000 limit, useful for wide apertures in bright light. In-body stabilisation also steadies every mounted lens, a capability the D5100 lacks. Resolution is effectively shared at 16.3 versus 16.2 megapixels, so neither body gives a meaningful cropping advantage. Both use 11 autofocus points and start at 100 ISO. The K-5 II's native ISO ceiling of 12800 doubles the D5100's 6400, and its expanded settings reach from 80 up to 51200 ISO. Viewfinder designs differ too, with a pentaprism in the K-5 II and a pentamirror in the D5100. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.2 MP050 | 16.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4928 x 3264 | 4928 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.6 | 15.7 x 23.7 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
4 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 2 | Prime II |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe D5100 is the better choice for smooth motion in your clips, with a 30 fps maximum frame rate against 25 fps on the K-5 II. Maximum resolution is a shared Full HD limit, so both cameras record to the same ceiling. Recording formats differ as well, with the D5100 offering H.264 and MPEG-4 while the K-5 II records Motion JPEG. Both include built-in timelapse. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 25 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Features | 41/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D5100's rear screen articulates, so you can compose from waist level, overhead or with the camera on a tripod. The K-5 II's screen is fixed, but that body is weather sealed. Both provide a 3-inch 921,000-dot LCD, live view, a built-in flash and external flash support. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 51/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D5100's rated battery life is far longer, at 2200 shots against 980 for the K-5 II. Memory storage is a shared choice, with both taking SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and neither charges over USB. The EN-EL14 and D-LI90P packs differ, so spare batteries do not transfer between bodies. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14 | D-LI90P |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2200 shots1505000 | 980 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Pentax K-5 II if you photograph sports, wildlife or moving children. Its 7 fps burst, 1/8000 second shutter and in-body stabilisation all serve fast or handheld subjects, and its weather sealing helps in changeable conditions.
Choose the Nikon D5100 for travel and all-day shooting, where 200 g less weight and a 2200-shot rating ease long outings. Its articulating screen suits low-angle and tripod composition, and its 30 fps maximum frame rate gives video smoother motion. Since the mounts differ, compare the lenses each system offers before buying.