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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300S
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Below is a extensive review of the Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the D500 (21MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D500 was revealed 22 months later than the K-3 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the D500 grades against the K-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Pentax K-3

 D500 K-3 
ReleasedJanuary 2016April 2014More recent by 22 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k1037kCrisper screen (+1322k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D500

 K-3 D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-3

 D500 K-3 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen dimensions3.2"3.2"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D500 offers external dimensions of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") along with a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the D500 and the K-3.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D500 and K-3 is 56 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading through technical specs. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the D500 and K-3.

As you have seen, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax K-3 to resolve greater detail because of its extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent D500 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
79
has manual focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW files
79
has manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Street photography highlights
68
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
comes with touch focus
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D500
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery power (1,240 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
terrible battery life (560 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D500
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
68
better than average battery power (1,240 shots)
weather proof
has bluetooth
comes with touch focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
60
weather sealing
good MP (24MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (560 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery power (1,240 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery life (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
31
touchscreen enabled
supports face detection focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Pentax K-3
 Nikon D500Pentax K-3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D500 Pentax K-3
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2016-01-05 2014-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 5 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 1640000 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 153 27
Cross type focus points 99 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3.2"
Display resolution 2,359k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860g (1.90 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 84 80
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 13.4
DXO Low light rating 1324 1216
Other
Battery life 1240 images 560 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two Two
Pricing at release $1,497 $639