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
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes 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).
Photography GlossaryThe 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.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 III Gallery
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
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoStreet Comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsSports Comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthTravel Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banLandscape Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsVlogging Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
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 |