Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-500 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D5300
57
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 D5300 and the Pentax K-500 are both DSLRs released in 2013. The D5300 is the lighter one to carry, at 480 g against 646 g for the K-500, a 166 g difference. Their dimensions are close, 125 x 98 x 76 mm against 130 x 97 x 71 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 17, 2013 | June 12, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 125 x 98 x 76 mm | 130 x 97 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 480 g | 646 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D5300 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints. Its 24.2 megapixel sensor captures 7.92 more megapixels than the K-500's 16.28, leaving more room to tighten a distant bird. Its 39 autofocus points, against 11 on the K-500, spread coverage wider for erratic subjects. The K-500 is the better body for handheld work with unstabilised glass. Its in-body stabilisation works with every Pentax KAF lens, while the D5300 relies on the lens alone. It also reaches 1/6000 second for wider apertures in bright light, against 1/4000, and shoots 6 fps bursts against 5. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 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. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 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 4 | 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. |
128003003280000 | 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 ComparisonVideoSlowing footage in editing favours the D5300. Its 60 fps maximum frame rate plays a clip at half speed on a 30 fps timeline, while the K-500 tops out at 30 fps. One limit is shared, with both cameras capping at Full HD resolution and offering a built-in interval timer for timelapses. The D5300 records MOV files and the K-500 records MPEG-4, which may matter for your editing software. | ||
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 | 46/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D5300 is the better travel and landscape companion on two counts. Its built-in GPS tags every photo with location data, which makes sorting a multi-week trip by place straightforward, and its flip-out screen lets you frame low ground-level or overhead shots without lying down or guessing. The K-500 has neither. The D5300 also has the larger, more detailed screen, at 3.2 inches and 1,037,000 dots against 3 inches and 921,000, which helps when checking focus outdoors. Both offer Wi-Fi, a built-in flash and a hot shoe, and neither has weather sealing or a touch screen. | ||
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. |
 Yes | No |
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 | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10370001150001500000 | 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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage is shared, so any SD, SDHC or SDXC card works in either camera. Both use a single card slot, and neither charges over USB. The K-500 leads in rated battery life, at 710 shots against 600 for the D5300. The K-500's AA power makes spare batteries a matter of standard cells, while the D5300 depends on the dedicated EN-EL14a pack. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14a | 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. |
600 shots1505000 | 710 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D5300 if you crop tightly, print large, track unpredictable movement, or want slow-motion video, GPS tagging and a lighter travel body. Its 24.2 megapixel sensor, 39-point autofocus array and 60 fps frame rate lead the way.
Choose the Pentax K-500 if you shoot handheld in dim rooms or want a stabilised body that works with every KAF lens, including unstabilised primes. Its in-body stabilisation, 1/6000 second shutter, 6 fps bursts and AA power make it a sound choice for everyday handheld photography.