• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 18.4 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-5 IIs advantages over Nikon J4

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 2.52 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    23.9 vs 20.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,208 vs 426 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.1 vs 10.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/180 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J4 advantages over Pentax K-5 IIs

  • Less expensive
    $650 vs $1200 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Noticeably better sharpness than standard K-5 II; Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Prone to moire, aliasing, and false color artifacts; Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.

  • We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon J4, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A35

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A35
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon J4
Sony A35
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $567
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A57
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Nikon J4
Sony A57
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Sony A37

Pentax K-5 IIs
Sony A37
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Nikon J4
Sony A37
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Pentax K-5 IIs
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Nikon J4
Samsung NX Mini
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Higher-res screen
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Nikon J5

Pentax K-5 IIs
Nikon J5
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Nikon J4
Nikon J5
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
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