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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Released January 2020
  • Replaced the Nikon D750
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • New Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the D780 (25MP) and K-1 (36MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

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The D780 was introduced 3 years after the K-1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the D780 grades vs the K-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Pentax K-1

 D780 K-1 
IntroducedJanuary 2020February 2016Newer by 48 months
Screen resolution2359k1037kSharper screen (+1322k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Nikon D780

 K-1 D780 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-1

 D780 K-1 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D780 has got outer dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

See the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the D780 versus the K-1.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D780 and K-1 is 57 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by researching specs. The pic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D780 and K-1.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Pentax K-1 to result in greater detail using its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern D780 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography info
85
you can focus manually
amazing megapixels (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
85
focusing manually
great sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
71
screen tilts
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
has focus via touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
70
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
above average high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than average in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 Sports photography information
Pentax K-1 Sports photography information
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
amazing megapixels (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery power (2,260 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
not so great battery pack (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 Travel photography features
Pentax K-1 Travel photography features
71
better than average battery power (2,260 shots)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
amazing megapixels (25 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
53
environment proof
great sensor resolution (36MP)
not so great battery pack (760 per charge)
more heavy than average in class (1,010g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography highlights
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
amazing megapixels (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery power (2,260 per charge)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
81
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
supports RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
not so great battery pack (760 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D780 Vlogging info
Pentax K-1 Vlogging info
32
has touchscreen
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone socket
does not posses selfie friendly screen
more heavy than average in class (1,010g)
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Pentax K-1
 Nikon D780Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D780 Pentax K-1
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2020-01-07 2016-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6048 x 4024 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 51200 204800
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 51 33
Cross focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 2,359 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 840 gr (1.85 lbs) 1010 gr (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 96
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.6
DXO Low light score not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 2260 photographs 760 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15b D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots 2 2
Launch pricing $2,297 $1,499