Nikon D5500 vs Pentax KP: Both the Pentax KP and Nikon D5500 cameras feature 24.0MP APS-C sensors. However, which camera truly stands out as the better buy? Let’s have a quick overview of the main features before we go into more detail.
Nikon D5500 vs Pentax KP Specs
Nikon D5500 vs Pentax KP – Comparison
| Nikon D5500 | Pentax KP | |
|---|---|---|
| Megapixels | 24.2 | 24.3 |
| 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 | 6016 x 4000 |
| Body Image Stabilization | No | Yes |
| Lens Mount | Nikon FX/DX | Pentax K |
| ISO | 100 – 25,600 | 100 – 819,200 |
| Expanded ISO | No | None |
| AF Points | 39 | 27 |
| Cross-type AF Points | 9 | 25 |
| Continuous Mode | 5fps | 7fps |
| LCD | 3.2″ – Fully Articulated | 3.0″ – Articulating |
| 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 | 1/24000 |
| Slowest Shutter Speed | 30″ | 30″ |
| Bulb Mode | Yes | Yes |
| JPEG Buffer Size | 100 | 28 |
| RAW Buffer Size | 7 | 8 |
| 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 | 390 shots |
| Battery Included | Yes (EN-EL14a) | Yes (D-LI109) |
| Weight | 14.8 oz (420g) | 24.7 oz (699g) |
| Size | 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8″ | 5.2 x 4.0 x 3.0″ |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2017 |
Nikon D5500 vs Pentax KP 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 | very handy for portraits |
| Max Resolution | 24 MP vs 24 MP | Bigger prints and more details |
| LCD Screen Size | 3″ vs 3.2″ | Large display |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 921k dots vs 1.037k dots | Higher resolution screens |
| 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 |
Pentax KP vs Nikon D5500 Size Comparison
The Nikon D5500 is the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 8mm narrower, 4mm shorter and 6mm thinner than Pentax KP. It is also noticeably lighter than the Pentax KP. 283g lighter.
Nikon D5500 vs Pentax KP – Comparison
Sensor Comparison
Both the Pentax KP and the Nikon D5500 have APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensors. However, the Nikon D5500 lacks an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Without it, there’s an increase in sharpness and detail. Although, there’s also a slight increase in the chance of moire in certain photos.
Why You Should Choose The Nikon D5500
| Touch Screen | Yes vs No | Easy control of camera functions |
| Number of Focus Points | 39 vs 27 | 12 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 390 shots | 430 more frames with a single charge |
| Weight | 420 g vs 703 g | 283 g lighter |
| Flash Coverage | 12.0m vs 6.0m | 6m longer range |
| Price | $700 vs $1,000 | $300 cheaper |
Advantages of the Nikon D5500 Over Pentax KP
- AF Points – 39 vs 27.
- LCD – 3.2″ vs 3.0″ and it’s fully articulated.
- LCD Resolution – Higher resolution
- Touchscreen Support
- JPEG Buffer Size – 100 vs 28.
- Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/200 vs 1/180.
- Battery Life – 820 shots vs 390 shots.
- Weight – The Nikon D5500 weighs 279g less.
Video: Nikon D5500 Hands-on Review
Why You Should Choose The Pentax KP
| Built-in Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift vs None | All the lenses are stabilized |
| Max ISO | 819.200 vs 25.600 | 3100% higher Max ISO |
| Number of Cross Type Focus Points | 25 vs 9 | 16 more cross type focus points |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% vs 95% | More accurate viewfinder |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/6000s vs 1/4000s | faster shutter speed |
| Continuous Shooting | 7.0fps vs 5.0fps | 2 fps faster |
| Environmental Sealing | Yes vs No | Shoot at tough conditions |
| Optical Viewfinder Type | Pentaprism vs Pentamirror | Pentaprism Viewfinders are brighter than Pentamirror type |
| Pixel Shift HHigh-ResolutionMode | Yes vs No | Increased resolution with pixel shift |
| Anti Alias Filter Simulator | Yes vs No | Turn on Anti Alias filter effect to minimise Moire |
| Smartphone_remote control | Yes vs No | Remote control your camera with a smartphone |
| Support for UHS Memory Cards | UHS-I vs none | Read/Write in Ultra High Speeds |
Advantages of the Pentax KP Over the Nikon D5500
- AA Filter – You can turn it on and off.
- Body Image Stabilization – The Pentax KP has built-in body stabilization for photos and videos, which is an excellent feature for traveling and shooting in low light.
- ISO – 819,200 vs 25,600. Higher maximum ISO sensitivity.
- Cross-type AF Points – 25 vs 9.
- Continuous mode – 7fps vs 5fps. More is better for sports and wildlife since you have more chances of getting a tack sharp shot.
- 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 – 1/24000 vs 1/4000.
- Environmentally Sealed – The Pentax KP is protected and suitable for shooting outdoors in difficult terrain and bad weather conditions.