Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-500 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 24.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D5200
56
WINNER
|
Pentax · DSLR · 16.28 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-500
54
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D5200 and the Pentax K-500 are both APS-C DSLRs that take different lens systems. The D5200 uses the Nikon F DX mount, the K-500 the Pentax KAF mount, so lenses cannot move between the bodies. The D5200 arrived in 2012 and the K-500 followed in 2013. The D5200 is the lighter body, 555 g against the K-500's 646 g, a 91 g difference. The K-500 is the shallower body, 71 mm deep against the D5200's 78 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 6, 2012 | June 12, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 129 x 98 x 78 mm | 130 x 97 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 555 g | 646 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D5200 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping or large prints, offering 24.1 megapixels against the K-500's 16.28. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors, so the extra pixels give the Nikon its crop room for a distant bird. The K-500 answers with in-body stabilisation, which steadies handheld shots with any lens mounted, including older unstabilised glass. Its 1/6000 second top shutter allows shorter exposures than the D5200's 1/4000, and its native ISO ceiling is 51200 against 6400. A pentaprism viewfinder replaces the D5200's pentamirror, and its 6 fps burst outruns the D5200's 5 fps. The D5200's 39 autofocus points cover far more of the frame than the K-500's 11. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.1 MP050 | 16.28 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 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. |
15.7 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. |
5 fps045 | 6 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 3 | Prime M |
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 | 512003003280000 |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 600080032000 |
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. |
390300 | 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 | 70/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe D5200 is the better pick for video you may want to slow down, because its maximum video frame rate is 60 fps against the K-500's 30. That headroom gives smoother slowed motion for fast action such as a child's sprint or a tennis swing. Their other video abilities match. Both record Full HD video and offer built-in timelapse. They write different file formats, MOV on the D5200 and MPEG-4 on the K-500. | ||
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. |
60 fps | 30 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. |
MOV | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D5200's flipping screen is the more useful one for awkward angles, framing waist-level macro work and overhead crowd shots. The K-500's screen is fixed. Both panels have the same 921000 dots, so playback detail matches. Connectivity divides them the other way. The K-500 offers built-in Wi-Fi for transferring photos to a phone without a card reader, while the D5200 has no wireless option. Both include a built-in flash, an external flash shoe and live view, and neither has GPS, Bluetooth or weather sealing. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe K-500 keeps shooting longer on one load, rated for 710 shots against 500 for the D5200. It runs on four AA batteries, so you can refresh it with standard cells, while the D5200 uses its dedicated EN-EL14 pack. Storage choices match, with a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot in each, no dual-slot backup and no USB charging on either body. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14 | 4 x AA batteries |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 710 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the D5200 for resolution and framing flexibility. Its 24.1 megapixel sensor, 39-point autofocus coverage and articulating screen suit landscape prints, wildlife cropping and overhead or waist-level angles. Its 60 fps maximum video frame rate suits slowed-action clips.
Choose the K-500 if handheld shooting with varied lenses matters more, since its in-body stabilisation steadies any lens you mount. Its higher 710-shot rating and AA batteries are practical for travel, and a pentaprism viewfinder replaces the D5200's pentamirror.