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Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
56 Imaging
70 Features
79 Overall
73
Nikon D600 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59 Imaging
66 Features
85 Overall
73

Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon D600
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 850g - 141 x 113 x 82mm
  • Revealed November 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon D300S
  • New Model is Nikon D610
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • 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 2014
  • Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Here is a complete comparison of the Nikon D600 and Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the D600 (24MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is very close but the D600 (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The D600 was manufactured 17 months before the K-3 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the D600 matches up vs the K-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D600 over the Pentax K-3

		

		

			
 D600 K-3 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D600

		

		

			
 K-3 D600 
AnnouncedApril 2014November 2012Fresher by 17 months
Display resolution1037k921kSharper display (+116k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Nikon D600 and Pentax K-3

		

		

			
 D600 K-3 
Focus manually  More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3.2"3.2"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen  Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display  Neither offers Touch friendly display
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D600 offers physical dimensions of 141mm x 113mm x 82mm (5.6" x 4.4" x 3.2") and a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) while 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 D600 and Pentax K-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the D600 versus the K-3.
Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the D600 and K-3 is 56 and 59 respectively.
Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Usually, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through specs. The photograph underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D600 and K-3.
All in all, both of these cameras have got the exact same resolution but different sensor sizing. The D600 has got the larger sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF simpler. The older D600 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.
	
			Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
			Photography Glossary	

	
	
	
	

	

		
Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Nikon D600 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
82
 you can focus manually
 decent sensor resolution (24MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 features face detection focus
 exports RAW files
79
 has manual focus
 megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 offers face detection focusing
 saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison
Nikon D600 Street photography features
Pentax K-3 Street photography features
60
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 exports RAW files
 environment sealing
 screen does not articulate
 does not have image stabilization
69
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 saves RAW formats
 environment proof
 above average high ISO (51,200)
 fixed screen
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Sports Comparison
 Nikon D600 as a Sports photography camera
 Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
70
 decent sensor resolution (24MP)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 features tracking autofocus
 environment sealing
 has phase detect auto focus
 low fps (5.5 frames per second)
 does not have image stabilization
76
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 offers tracking autofocus
 environment proof
 comes with phase detect AF
 not so great battery (560 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Nikon D600
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
66
 environment sealing
 decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
 has built in flash
 doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
60
 environment proof
 megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 not so great battery (560 CIPA)
 display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Nikon D600
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
78
 you can focus manually
 swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
 screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
 decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
 great sensor size (Full frame)
 exports RAW files
 environment sealing
 two card slots
 does not have image stabilization
78
 has manual focus
 interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
 screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 no low pass filter
 above average high ISO (51,200)
 saves RAW formats
 environment proof
 two card slots
 not so great battery (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison
 Nikon D600 as a Vlogging camera
 Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
30
 features face detection focus
 high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 has external mic socket
 doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
 does not have image stabilization
34
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 offers face detection focusing
 video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 does have external microphone socket
 display is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D600 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D600 and Pentax K-3
 Nikon D600Pentax K-3
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D600 Pentax K-3
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-11-13 2014-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4016 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format    
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 AF    
Contract detect AF    
Phase detect AF    
Total focus points 39 27
Cross type focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch friendly    
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.5 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB    
Image stabilization    
Inbuilt flash    
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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    
Auto exposure bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 850 grams (1.87 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 141 x 113 x 82mm (5.6" x 4.4" x 3.2") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 94 80
DXO Color Depth rating 25.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.2 13.4
DXO Low light rating 2980 1216
Other
Battery life 900 images 560 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC x 2 slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual Dual
Retail pricing $1,900 $639