Z5vs KF
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Landscape & Outdoor — KF (2022): The Pentax KF is a rare thing — a weather-sealed DSLR with in-body stabilisation and an articulating screen at an accessible price. Video is modest at 1080p/60p, but for outdoor and landscape photographers who prefer optical viewfinders and want real weather sealing, the KF delivers in a format that is increasingly hard to find.
Who should buy what
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
KF (2022)
- Outdoor and landscape photographers who want weather sealing at an accessible price
- DSLR users who want IBIS and an articulating screen without switching systems
- Pentax K-mount lens collectors who want a modern body for their glass
- Photographers who prefer the natural feel of an optical viewfinder
Quick take: The z5 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the kf is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | KF (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £700 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | SAFOX 13 phase-detect AF with 11 points |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | In-body Shake Reduction (SR II), up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 643g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 131.0 × 101.0 × 76.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | Optical pentamirror, 0.95× magnification, ~100% coverage |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Pentax KF-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | KF |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Casual | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history