Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III
56 Imaging
64 Features
90 Overall
74
58 Imaging
70 Features
86 Overall
76
Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs
(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
(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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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).
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe 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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Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D500 & Pentax K-3 Mark III. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D500 Gallery & Pentax K-3 III Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Pentax K-3 III
| D500 | K-3 III | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
| Screen resolution | 2359k | 1620k | Crisper screen (+739k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Nikon D500
| K-3 III | D500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | March 2021 | January 2016 | Fresher by 63 months |
Common features in the Nikon D500 and Pentax K-3 III
| D500 | K-3 III | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial exact focusing | |||
| Screen size | 3.2" | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications
| Nikon D500 | Pentax 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 |