Nikon
D3200
 vs
Pentax
K-5

Updated (September, 2012): Compare the Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-5

100

  
Nikon D3200

72

  
Winner

Pentax K-5

Reasons to buy the Pentax K-5

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,162 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
82.0
Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 25fps
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
14.1 EV
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
12,800 ISO
 
Runner-up

Nikon D3200

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3200

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,131 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
81.0
Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
13.2 EV
True resolution
 High true resolution
24.1 MP
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
 

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3200
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
True resolution Much higher true resolution 24.1 MP vs 16.1 MP
Help
 Capture around 50% more detail in your photos
Lens availability Much more lenses available 169 lenses vs 90 lenses
Help
 Around 90% more lenses available
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
Weight Much lighter 505 g vs 740 g
Help
 More than 30% lighter
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 400 ms vs 600 ms
Help
 More than 30% less delay when turning on
Lowest price Cheaper $546.95 vs $691.90
Help
 The best price we've seen is $145 cheaper (more than 20% less)
Nikon D3200 Learn more about
the Nikon D3200

Advantages of the Pentax K-5
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Shutter lag Much less shutter lag 104 ms vs 276 ms
Help
 2.7x less delay when taking photos
Cross type focus points Significantly more cross-type focus points 9 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.60x vs 0.50x
Help
 More than 40% larger viewfinder
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 51,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO
Help
 The K-5's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 7 fps vs 4 fps
Help
 Around 80% faster continuous shooting
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The K-5's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Battery life Longer battery life 740 shots vs 540 shots
Help
 Around 40% more shots per battery charge
Viewfinder coverage Significantly better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 95%
Help
 Around 10% better viewfinder coverage
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.7mm vs APS-C 23.2x15.4mm
Help
 Almost the same
Dynamic range More dynamic range 14.1 EV vs 13.2 EV
Help
 0.9 f-stops more dynamic range
Viewfinder Has a pentaprism viewfinder Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Help
 Pentaprism viewfinders are typically brighter
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 1,162 ISO vs 1,131 ISO
Help
 The K-5 has a slight edge (0 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 82.0 vs 81.0
Help
 Almost the same
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Thickness Thinner 2.9" vs 3"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Pentax K-5 Learn more about
the Pentax K-5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3200 Nikon D3200
72 vs 100
Explain scores
Pentax K-5 Pentax K-5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Pentax K-5.

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Low light performance Relatively low noise at high ISO Help
D3200:1,131 ISO
K-5:1,162 ISO
Overall image quality Good image quality Help
D3200:81.0
K-5:82.0
Dynamic range Good dynamic range Help
D3200:13.2 EV
K-5:14.1 EV
Size Fairly small Help
D3200:125x96x76 mm
K-5:130x96x72 mm
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Autofocus Lacks video autofocus Help
D3200:Contrast detection
K-5:None
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$497 body only

$597 - $805 with 18-55mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5100 vs the D3200
Compare the D5100 vs the K-5
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$599 - $649 with 18-55mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D3200
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the K-5
Canon EOS 650D

Canon EOS 650D

Entry-level DSLR

$580 - $797 body only

$639 - $1,144 with 18-55mm lens
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS 650D vs the D3200
Compare the EOS 650D vs the K-5
Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$997 with 18-105mm lens
Battery life Has a significantly longer battery life
Focus points Has much more focus points
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D7000 vs the D3200
Compare the D7000 vs the K-5
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$675 - $899 body only

$799 - $1,099 with 18-105mm lens
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the D90 vs the D3200
Compare the D90 vs the K-5
Pentax K-30

Pentax K-30

Entry-level DSLR

$518 - $690 body only

$559 - $780 with 18-55mm lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Weight Is significantly heavier
Compare the K-30 vs the D3200
Compare the K-30 vs the K-5
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$699 - $899 body only

$999 - $1,279 with 18-135mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Battery life Has a significantly longer battery life
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D3200
Compare the EOS 60D vs the K-5

Nikon D3200 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Size Smaller
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Overall image quality Significantly worse image quality
Dynamic range Less dynamic range
Compare the D3100 vs the D3200

Pentax K-5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-5 II

Entry-level DSLR

$768 - $997 body only

$1,115 - $1,547 with 18-135mm lens
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Battery life Longer battery life
Lowest price More expensive
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the K-5 II vs the K-5

appearance

Nikon D3200 Pentax K-5
Nikon D3200 Pentax K-5
Nikon D3200 Pentax K-5

discussion

Showing 0 comments