Updated (October, 2012): Compare the Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-7

Nikon D5100
Winner
Nikon D5100

77

vs
Pentax K-7

63

Pentax K-7
Runner-up
 
 
 
 

Reasons to buy the Nikon D5100

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
1,183 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
80.0
Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Color depth
 Great color depth
23.5 bits
 

Reasons to buy the Pentax K-7

Viewfinder size
 Large viewfinder
0.60x
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Weather sealed
 Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
 
Differences | Recommendations | Similarities | Competitors | Appearance | Discussion

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D5100
Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO 1,183 ISO vs 536 ISO
Help
 The D5100 has excellent image quality 1.1 f-stops higher ISO than the K-7
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Overall image quality Much better image quality 80.0 vs 61.0
Help
 More than 30% better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range 13 EV vs 10.6 EV
Help
 2.4 f-stops more dynamic range
Supports 24p Supports 24p Yes vs No
Help
 Get that real film feel
Lens availability Much more lenses available 169 lenses vs 90 lenses
Help
 Around 90% more lenses available
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
 Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Color depth Better color depth 23.5 bits vs 22.6 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.9 more bits of color
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 25,600 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The D5100's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Lowest price Much cheaper $496.95 vs $1,318.70
Help
 The best price we've seen is $822 cheaper (2.7x less)
True resolution Higher true resolution 16.1 MP vs 14.5 MP
Help
 Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos
Weight Significantly lighter 560 g vs 750 g
Help
 Around 30% lighter
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The D5100's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.6mm vs APS-C 23.4x15.6mm
Help
 Almost the same
Startup delay Slightly less startup delay 500 ms vs 600 ms
Help
 Around 20% less delay when turning on
Nikon D5100 Learn more about
the Nikon D5100

Advantages of the Pentax K-7
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Shutter lag Much less shutter lag 93 ms vs 273 ms
Help
 2.9x less delay when taking photos
Weather sealed Weather sealed Yes vs No
Help
 Sealed to shoot in the rain
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 0.51x
Help
 Around 40% larger viewfinder
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
Viewfinder Has a pentaprism viewfinder Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Help
 Pentaprism viewfinders are typically brighter
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 5.2 fps vs 4 fps
Help
 More than 30% faster continuous shooting
Battery life Longer battery life 740 shots vs 660 shots
Help
 More than 10% more shots per battery charge
Thickness Significantly thinner 2.9" vs 3.1"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/8000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Size Smaller 131x97x73 mm vs 127x96x78 mm
Help
 Almost the same
Pentax K-7 Learn more about
the Pentax K-7
vs

recommendations

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

Nikon D5100 Nikon D5100
77 vs 63
Explain scores
Pentax K-7 Pentax K-7
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Nikon D5100.

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D5100:6,400 ISO
K-7:3,200 ISO
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D5100:16.1 MP
K-7:14.5 MP

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$547 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Weight Is slightly lighter
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3200 vs the D5100
Compare the D3200 vs the K-7
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$595 - $599 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the K-7
Canon Rebel T4i

Canon Rebel T4i

Entry-level DSLR

$580 - $799 body only

$731 - $899 with 18-55mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the D5100
Compare the Rebel T4i vs the K-7
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$447 - $740 with 18-55mm lens
Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Weight Is slightly lighter
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Compare the D3100 vs the D5100
Compare the D3100 vs the K-7
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$600 - $899 body only

$739 - $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 D5100
Compare the D90 vs the K-7
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 D5100
Compare the D7000 vs the K-7
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$649 - $968 body only

$949 - $1,182 with 18-135mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Battery life Has a significantly longer battery life
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the EOS 60D vs the D5100
Compare the EOS 60D vs the K-7

Nikon D5100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D5200

Nikon D5200

Entry-level DSLR

$697 body only

$797 with 18-55mm lens
Focus points Many more focus points
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Battery life Shorter battery life
Shutter lag More shutter lag
Compare the D5200 vs the D5100

Pentax K-7 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax K-5

Pentax K-5

Entry-level DSLR

$669 - $699 body only

$795 - $819 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Shutter lag Slightly more shutter lag
Compare the K-5 vs the K-7
Pentax K-r

Pentax K-r

Entry-level DSLR

$925 with 18-55mm lens
Dynamic range More dynamic range
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Weather sealed No weather sealing
Compare the K-r vs the K-7
Pentax K20D

Pentax K20D

Entry-level DSLR
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Better image quality
Movie format Does not take movies
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Compare the K20D vs the K-7
Pentax K-x

Pentax K-x

Entry-level DSLR

$752 with 18-55mm lens
Dynamic range More dynamic range
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Screen size Much smaller screen
Compare the K-x vs the K-7

appearance

Nikon D5100 Pentax K-7
Nikon D5100 Pentax K-7
Nikon D5100 Pentax K-7

discussion

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