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Nikon D70 vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
61
Imaging
43
Features
39
Overall
41
Nikon D70 front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77

Nikon D70 vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs

Nikon D70
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 679g - 140 x 111 x 78mm
  • Introduced April 2004
  • New Model is Nikon D80
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 Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Announced March 2021
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Nikon D70 vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Nikon D70 versus Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the D70 (6MP) and K-3 III (26MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D70 was released 18 years before the K-3 III which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the D70 matches up versus the K-3 III when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D70 over the Pentax K-3 III

 D70 K-3 III 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Nikon D70

 K-3 III D70 
AnnouncedMarch 2021April 2004Newer by 206 months
Screen dimensions3.2"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.4")
Screen resolution1620k130kCrisper screen (+1490k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D70 and Pentax K-3 III

 D70 K-3 III 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon D70 vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D70 offers outside dimensions of 140mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.5" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 679 grams (1.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 III has sizing of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") along with a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D70 versus Pentax K-3 III in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the D70 and the K-3 III.

Nikon D70 vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the D70 and K-3 III is 61 and 58 respectively.

Nikon D70 vs Pentax K-3 III top view buttons comparison

Nikon D70 vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions simply by viewing technical specs. The picture below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D70 and K-3 III.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax K-3 III to render more detail as a result of its extra 20 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged D70 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D70 vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison

Nikon D70 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D70 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D70
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 III
52
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500s)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
MP count low (6MP)
82
has manual focus
amazing resolution (26 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D70 Street photography advice
Pentax K-3 III Street photography advice
53
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
70
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
weather proofing
above average high ISO (1,600,000)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D70 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-3 III Sports photography advice
42
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing resolution (26 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
low battery pack (800 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D70 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Travel photography camera
43
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
MP count low (6MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
64
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
amazing resolution (26MP)
low battery pack (800 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D70
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3 III
45
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inches)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
no Time Lapse mode
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing resolution (26 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (1,600,000)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
low battery pack (800 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D70 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-3 III Vlogging advice
9
no video recording
35
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Nikon D70 vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D70 and Pentax K-3 III
 Nikon D70Pentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D70 Pentax K-3 Mark III
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2004-04-05 2021-03-31
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.5mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor area 367.4mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 26MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 3008 x 2000 6192 x 4128
Highest native ISO 1600 1600000
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 101
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 156
Crop factor 1.5 1.6
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 1.8 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 130 thousand dots 1,620 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 11.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500 seconds 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 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 None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 679g (1.50 lbs) 820g (1.81 lbs)
Physical dimensions 140 x 111 x 78mm (5.5" x 4.4" x 3.1") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 50 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 529 not tested
Other
Battery life - 800 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Card slots One 2
Retail price $296 $1,999