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Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
68
Imaging
66
Features
81
Overall
72
Nikon D5300 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon D5300
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 480g - 125 x 98 x 76mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon D5200
  • Successor is Nikon D5500
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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Nikon D5300 and Pentax K-3, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the D5300 (24MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D5300 was released about the same time to the K-3 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D5300 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the D5300 scores against the K-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5300 over the Pentax K-3

 D5300 K-3 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D5300

 K-3 D5300 

Common features in the Nikon D5300 and Pentax K-3

 D5300 K-3 
RevealedFebruary 2014April 2014Same age
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution1037k1037kIdentical screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D5300 provides outside measurements of 125mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 480 grams (1.06 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D5300 and Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the D5300 compared to the K-3.

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D5300 and K-3 is 68 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through a spec sheet. The pic here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D5300 and K-3.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of images though you will want to take the age of the cameras into account.

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5300
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
79
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
79
has manual focus
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5300 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
70
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D5300
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
66
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery life (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5300 Travel photography info
Pentax K-3 Travel photography info
80
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
60
environment proofing
decent MP (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery life (560 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5300
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
76
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
low battery life (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5300 Vlogging details
Pentax K-3 Vlogging details
72
screen is selfie friendly
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone port
does not have image stabilization
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5300 and Pentax K-3
 Nikon D5300Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D5300 Pentax K-3
Category Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-02-12 2014-04-10
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 12800 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 39 27
Cross focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 480g (1.06 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 83 80
DXO Color Depth score 24.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 13.4
DXO Low light score 1338 1216
Other
Battery life 600 pictures 560 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14,EN-EL14a D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 2
Launch cost $429 $639