• APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Nikon D7500

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D7500 advantages over Pentax K-5

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 0.6 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,483 vs 1,162 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 740 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    20.9 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    51 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.2 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 31 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.2 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    47 vs 23 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7500

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent high ISO performance, one of the best APS-C sensors yet; 6.5 fps burst mode has very good buffer depths; Weather, dust, and cold resistant; In-body Shake Reduction corrects not only horizontal / vertical, but also rotational motion.

  • Default saturation and contrast a bit high; Auto white balance too warm in tungsten light; Fewer AF points than main competitors; Only a single card slot, and no UHS-I card support (slow buffer clearing).

  • New carbon fiber body is light, compact and very comfortable; Same excellent image quality as the flagship D500; Quick 8.2 frames per second burst shooting with generous buffer; Very fast, accurate autofocus; Tilting touch-screen display; Very good battery life; Records ultra high-def 4K and 60fps Full HD too.

  • Only a single flash card slot; Doesn't support portrait / battery grip accessories; No rear infrared receiver any more; non-CPU AI lenses will be manual only; 4K video comes with a heavy crop; Movie AF is prone to hunting, Extended ISO sensitivities are a gimmick.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-5
Nikon D7200
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon D7500
Nikon D7200
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5
Canon T3i
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D7500
Canon T3i
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-5
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Top deck display
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoots 24p video
Nikon D7500
Nikon D5100
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5
Pentax K-30
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D7500
Pentax K-30
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 80D

Pentax K-5
Canon 80D
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D7500
Canon 80D
  • $930
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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