Nikon D60 vs Pentax K-5

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5
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      72
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D60 and the Pentax K-5, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Nikon D60 was introduced in March 2008 and Pentax K-5 was introduced in December 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon D60 Highlights

      • 10.2 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 3 Focus Points
      • 2.5" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Pentax K-5 Highlights

      • 16.3 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 80 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 25 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Nikon D60
      4. Advantage of Pentax K-5
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D60 and Pentax K-5.

      PROS

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 65
      •   Weight - 522 g (1.15 lb / 18.41 oz)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.3 Megapixel
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 82
      •   Weight - 740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 980 shots

      Advantage of Nikon D60

      Nikon D60
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D60 over Pentax K-5.

      Nikon D60 vs Pentax K-5
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/200 sec vs 1/180 sec
      Lighter 522 g (1.15 lb / 18.41 oz) vs 740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D60.

      Nikon D80
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D70
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D40
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D40X
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Nikon D70s
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D50
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Nikon D90
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      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Nikon D5000
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      APS-C

      12.3 MP

      Canon R10
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony a7R II
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Nikon D800
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      Full Frame

      36.3 MP

      Advantage of Pentax K-5

      Pentax K-5
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K-5 over Nikon D60.

      Nikon D60 vs Pentax K-5
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 10.2 Megapixel vs 16.3 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 80
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 12,800
      Higher Boosted ISO 3,200 vs 25,600
      Max Image Resolution 3872 x 2592 vs 4928 x 3264
      Timelapse Recording vs
      More Focus Points 3 vs 11
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization vs Sensor Shift
      Larger Screen 2.5" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 921k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 100%
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.53x vs 0.61x
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/8000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 562 vs 1162
      Higher DxO Color Depth 22.5 vs 23.7
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.4 vs 14.1
      Higher DxO Overall Score 65 vs 82
      HDMI Output vs
      Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
      Microphone Input vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 500 shots vs 980 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax K-5.

      Pentax K-7
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      APS-C

      15 MP

      Pentax K-5 II
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Pentax KP
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      APS-C

      24.32 MP

      Canon Rebel SL3
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      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Pentax K-5 IIs
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Panasonic G9
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.33 MP

      Sony SLT-A55
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      APS-C

      16.2 MP

      Sony SLT-A37
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      APS-C

      16.1 MP

      Sony a6100
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Sony a6300
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony a7 III
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Nikon D60 Pentax K-5
        Built-in Flash
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Nikon D60 Pentax K-5
        Few Focus Points311
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon D60 has a 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution and Pentax K-5 has a 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Nikon D60 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderPentax K-5 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Nikon D60 has 95% coverage with 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Pentax K-5 has 100% coverage with 0.92x (0.61x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Nikon D60 features a 10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode. Pentax K-5 features a 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 246.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 12,800 and expands to 80 - 25,600 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Nikon D60 can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2896 x 1944, 1936 x 1296 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Pentax K-5 is equipped with PRIME II processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3936 x 2624, 3072 x 2048, 1728 x 1152 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Nikon D60 has Nikon F lens mount and Pentax K-5 has Pentax KAF2 lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Pentax K-5

      Pentax K-5 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Pentax K-5 comes with D-LI90 battery pack with battery life of 980 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon D60 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Pentax K-5 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon D60 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Nikon D60, and up to 1/8000 sec on Pentax K-5. Nikon D60 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Pentax K-5 can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D60 and 13.00 m at ISO 100 on Pentax K-5. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Standard ISO hot-shoe contact with sync to Nikon D60 and via Hot Shoe or Wireless connection to Pentax K-5. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon D60 and 1/180 sec on Pentax K-5.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon D60 body has dimensions of 126 x 94 x 64 mm (4.96 x 3.7 x 2.52") and Pentax K-5 body has dimensions of 131 x 97 x 73 mm (5.16 x 3.82 x 2.87"). Nikon D60 weighs 522 g (1.15 lb / 18.41 oz) and Pentax K-5 weighs 740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz).

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      126 mm

      94 mm

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      131 mm

      97 mm

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      94 mm

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      97 mm

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      64 mm

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      73 mm

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      Size comparisons of Nikon D60 and Pentax K-5

      Nikon D60 and Pentax K-5 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      81
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      POOR
      53
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      73
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Battery Life - 980 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      POOR
      52
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Battery Life - 980 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      GOOD
      71
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      81
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      GOOD
      77
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 522 g (1.15 lb / 18.41 oz)
      GOOD
      82
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      GOOD
      79
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 522 g (1.15 lb / 18.41 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 980 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon D60 and Pentax K-5 and give them scores of 54 and 72 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      OVERALL
      54
      OVERALL
      72

      Sensor

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 65
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.3 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 82

      Photo

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      POOR
      53
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
      GOOD
      78
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      POOR
      45
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      GOOD
      80
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon D60

      Pentax K-5

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 522 g (1.15 lb / 18.41 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      GOOD
      70
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)
      •   Battery Life - 980 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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