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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
72
Features
86
Overall
77

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push 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 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Revealed March 2021
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the D500 (21MP) and the K-3 III (26MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D500 was released 6 years prior to the K-3 III and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the D500 scores versus the K-3 III with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 D500 K-3 III 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k1620kCrisper screen (+739k dot)

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

 K-3 III D500 
RevealedMarch 2021January 2016Fresher by 63 months

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

 D500 K-3 III 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3.2"3.2"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D500 features outside measurements of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") along with a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 III has proportions of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-3 III in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the D500 against the K-3 III.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D500 and K-3 III is 56 and 58 respectively.

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

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by reviewing technical specs. The visual underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D500 and K-3 III.

As you have seen, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax K-3 III to offer you more detail as a result of its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older D500 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Portrait photography camera
79
has manual focus
good MP (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
83
focusing manually
MP count excellent (26MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D500
Street photography with Pentax K-3 III
68
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
environment sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
71
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
features focus by touch
weather proofing
above average ISO range (1,600,000)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Sports photography camera
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good MP (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery power (1,240 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (26MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (800 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Travel photography camera
68
good battery power (1,240 CIPA)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
good MP (21MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
64
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
MP count excellent (26 megapixels)
not so great battery power (800 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography information
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
good MP (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
good battery power (1,240 CIPA)
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (26MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (1,600,000)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
not so great battery power (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-3 III Vlogging advice
31
touchscreen
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
35
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Pentax K-3 III
 Nikon D500Pentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D500 Pentax K-3 Mark III
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2016-01-05 2021-03-31
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 5 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 26MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 6192 x 4128
Highest native ISO 51200 1600000
Highest boosted ISO 1640000 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 153 101
Cross focus points 99 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 156
Crop factor 1.5 1.6
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 2,359k dots 1,620k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 860g (1.90 lb) 820g (1.81 lb)
Physical dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 84 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1324 not tested
Other
Battery life 1240 photos 800 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Card slots 2 2
Cost at launch $1,497 $1,999