Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70: How do these two Entry-Level DSLRs compare to each other? Both the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-70 cameras have 24.0MP APS-C sensors. So, it’s a close call. Here’s a quick overview of the main specs and features before we go into more details.
Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 Specs
Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 – Comparison
Specifications |
Nikon D5500 |
Pentax K-70 |
|---|---|---|
| Megapixels | 24.2 | 24.2 |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Format | APS-C (DX) | APS-C |
| Crop Factor | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| AA Filter | None | On/Off |
| Image Resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Body Image Stabilization | No | Yes |
| Lens Mount | Nikon FX/DX | Pentax K |
| ISO | 100 – 25,600 | 100 – 102,400 |
| Expanded ISO | No | None |
| AF Points | 39 | 11 |
| Cross-type AF Points | 9 | 9 |
| Continuous Mode | 5fps | 6fps |
| LCD | 3.2″ – Fully Articulated | 3.0″ – Fully Articulated |
| LCD Resolution | 1,036,800 dots | 921,600 dots |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
| Focus Peaking | No | Yes |
| Top LCD Display | No | No |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical | Optical |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.82x | 0.95x |
| Video Resolution | 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p) | 1920×1080 (60i/50i/30/25/24p) |
| 1280×720 (60/50p) | 1280×720 (60/50p) | |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | No | No |
| Memory Card Type | SD | SD |
| Dual Card Slots | No | No |
| SD UHS Support | UHS-I | UHS-I |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000 | 1/6000 |
| Slowest Shutter Speed | 30″ | 30″ |
| Bulb Mode | Yes | Yes |
| JPEG Buffer Size | 100 | 47 |
| RAW Buffer Size | 7 | 11 |
| Time Lapse | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| Max Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/180 |
| Startup Time | 0.4s | 1.0s |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in GPS | No | No |
| Built-in NFC | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| USB Type | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
| Environmentally Sealed | No | Yes |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 820 shots | 410 shots |
| Battery Included | Yes (EN-EL14a) | Yes (D-LI109) |
| Weight | 14.8 oz (420g) | 23.9 oz (678g) |
| Size | 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8″ | 4.9 x 3.7 x 2.9″ |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2016 |
Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 Common Features
| Wireless Connection | Yes vs Yes | Better connectivity |
| Articulating Screen | Yes vs Yes | Flexible shooting positions |
| Built-in Flash | Yes vs Yes | Useful in low-light |
| External Flash Shoe | Yes vs Yes | Better for flash photography |
| Viewfinder | Yes (Optical) vs Yes (Optical) | Better framing and control |
| RAW Support | Yes vs Yes | Better image quality |
| Face Detection Focus | Yes vs Yes | Useful for portraits |
| Max Resolution | 24 MP vs 24 MP | Bigger prints and more details |
| Continuous Shooting | 5.0fps vs 6.0fps | Fast shooting speeds |
| Microphone Port | Yes vs Yes | High-quality audio recording option |
| Timelapse Recording | Yes vs Yes | Creative shooting |
| AE Bracketing | Yes vs Yes | Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR |
| Selfie Friendly LCD | Yes vs Yes | Rotate LCD for taking Selfies |
Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D5500 Size Comparison
The Nikon D5500 is 2mm narrower and 4mm thinner than Pentax K-70 but it is also 4mm taller. It is also 268g lighter. A noticeable difference.
Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-70 – Comparison
Sensor Comparison
Both the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K-70 have APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not different between these two cameras. And, both cameras lack an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. This increase sharpness and details.
Why You Should Choose The Nikon D5500
| Touch Screen | Yes vs No | Easy control of camera functions |
| Number of Focus Points | 39 vs 11 | 28 more focus points |
| LCD Screen Size | 3.2″ vs 3″ | 0.2 inches larger display |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 1.037k dots vs 921k dots | 12% higher resolution screen |
| Battery Life | 820 shots vs 410 shots | 410 more frames with a single charge |
| Weight | 420 g vs 688 g | 268 g lighter |
Advantages of the Nikon D5500 Over Pentax K-70
- AF Points – 39 vs 11.
- LCD – 3.2″ vs 3.0″.
- LCD Resolution – Higher resolution
- Touchscreen Support
- JPEG Buffer Size – 100 vs 47.
- Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/200 vs 1/180.
- Battery Life – 820 shots vs 410 shots.
- Weight – The Nikon D5500 weighs 258g less.
Video: Nikon D5500 Hands-on Review
Why You Should Choose The Pentax K-70
| Built-in Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift vs None | All the lenses are stabilized |
| Max ISO | 102.400 vs 25.600 | 300% higher Max ISO |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% vs 95% | More accurate viewfinder |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/6000s vs 1/4000s | faster shutter speed |
| Continuous Shooting | 6.0fps vs 5.0fps | 1 fps faster |
| Environmental Sealing | Yes vs No | Shoot at tough conditions |
| Price | $599 vs $700 | $101 cheaper |
| AE Bracketing Range | ±5 EVvs±2 EV | Wide Bracketing range is useful for HDR |
| Optical Viewfinder Type | PentaprismvsPentamirror | Pentaprism Viewfinders are brighter than Pentamirror type |
| Pixel Shift HHigh-ResolutionMode | YesvsNo | Increased resolution with pixel shift |
| Anti Alias Filter Simulator | YesvsNo | Turn on Anti Alias filter effect to minimise Moire |
| Smartphone_remote control | YesvsNo | Remote control your camera with a smartphone |
| Support for UHS Memory Cards | UHS-Ivsnone | Read/Write in Ultra High Speeds |
Advantages of the Pentax K-70 Over the Nikon D5500
- AA Filter – You can turn it on and off.
- Body Image Stabilization – The Pentax K-70 has built-in body stabilization for photos and videos, which is an excellent feature for traveling and shooting in low light.
- ISO – 102,400 vs 25,600. Higher maximum ISO sensitivity.
- Continuous mode – 6fps vs 5fps. It’s an advantage, but not something you will really notice that often.
- Focus Peaking – Very useful for seeing if your subject is in focus (both photo and video).
- Viewfinder Coverage – 100% vs 95%.
- Viewfinder Magnification – Higher magnification.
- Faster Max Shutter Speed – 1/6000 vs 1/4000.
- Environmentally Sealed – The Pentax K-70 is much more protected for shooting outdoors in difficult terrain and bad weather conditions.