Decision tools · Compare

D5 vs Pentax K-1 Mark II

Quick take: The Pentax K-1 Mark II has the highest resolution at 36MP; the D5 is the most affordable.

16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Verdictwhich should you buy?

D5 — Professional Sports, Photojournalism & Wildlife: Nikon's ultimate pro DSLR and a certified space traveller — the D5's 153-point AF, 12fps, and ISO 3,280,000 made it the weapon of choice for Olympic and space photography.

Who should buy what
D5 (2016)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Sports and wildlife photographers with an F-mount telephoto investment
  • Photojournalists who need the fastest, most reliable DSLR AF available
  • Nikon system professionals looking for a flagship body at used prices
  • Collectors of cameras with a documented space pedigree
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification D5Nikon · 2016Pentax K-1 Mark IIPentax · 2018
Price £1,800Best£1,899
Sensor 20.8MP full-frame BSI CMOS36.4MP full-frame CMOS (no AA filter)
Resolution 20.8MP36.4MPBest
Video 4K UHD 30fps (heavy sensor crop)1080p only, no 4K
Autofocus Multi-CAM 20K 153-point AF system, 99 cross-typeSAFOX 12, 33-point DSLR phase-detect AF
Stabilisation —5-axis Shake Reduction II (in-body)
Burst Rate 12fps mechanicalBest4.4fps
Battery Life ~3780 shots (CIPA)Best670 shots (CIPA)
Weight 1405g (body only)1010g (with battery and card)Best
Dimensions 160 × 158.5 × 92mm—
Weather Sealed YesYes
Viewfinder OVF 0.72× magnification, 100% coverageOptical pentaprism, 0.7x magnification, 100% coverage
Screen 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.36M dotsMulti-axis tilting screen (up/down/side), no touchscreen
Mount Nikon F mountPentax KAF2 (K-mount)
Memory Cards Dual XQD slots (XQD variant)Dual SD (UHS-I)
Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet (RJ-45), USB 3.0USB, HDMI, Wi-Fi

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D5
Pentax K-1 Mark II
Portrait
6.0/10
6.7/10
Street
3.9/10
4.9/10
Travel
4.1/10
5.0/10
Wedding & Events
6.8/10
6.7/10
Filmmaking
5.5/10
—
Documentary
5.5/10
5.5/10
Sports & Action
6.7/10
5.3/10
Landscape
5.3/10
7.0/10
Wildlife
6.5/10
5.6/10
Casual
2.9/10
3.3/10
Food
4.3/10
6.0/10
Macro
3.6/10
5.3/10
Architecture
4.9/10
6.9/10
Astrophotography
6.3/10
7.3/10

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

Next
More comparisons with D5
Camera family history