Clicky

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Replaced the Nikon D300S
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-3
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon D500 versus Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the D500 (21MP) and the K-3 II (24MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

The D500 was introduced 9 months later than the K-3 II and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the D500 matches up against the K-3 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Pentax K-3 II

 D500 K-3 II 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016April 2015Fresher by 9 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k1037kCrisper screen (+1322k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Nikon D500

 K-3 II D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-3 II

 D500 K-3 II 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen size3.2"3.2"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D500 has got outer dimensions of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 II has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D500 versus Pentax K-3 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the D500 vs the K-3 II.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and K-3 II is 56 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D500 and K-3 II.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Pentax K-3 II to give you greater detail using its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern D500 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
80
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Street photography factors
68
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
weather sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
good high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography highlights
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery (1,240 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
77
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (720 CIPA)
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography advice
68
good battery (1,240 shots)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
57
environment proof
good resolution (24 megapixels)
not so great battery (720 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
good battery (1,240 per charge)
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery (720 per charge)
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D500
Vlogging with Pentax K-3 II
31
built-in touchscreen
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Pentax K-3 II
 Nikon D500Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D500 Pentax K-3 II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2016-01-05 2015-04-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 resolution 5568 x 3712 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 51200
Highest boosted ISO 1640000 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 153 27
Cross type focus points 99 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of display 2,359 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 8.3fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860 grams (1.90 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
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 All around rating 84 80
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 13.6
DXO Low light rating 1324 1106
Other
Battery life 1240 images 720 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 recording
Type of storage XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 2
Cost at launch $1,497 $829