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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Released January 2020
  • Replaced the Nikon D750
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-1
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Nikon D780 versus Pentax K-1 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the D780 (25MP) and K-1 II (36MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (Full frame).

Photography Glossary

The D780 was unveiled 23 months later than the K-1 II making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the D780 matches up against the K-1 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Pentax K-1 II

 D780 K-1 II 
AnnouncedJanuary 2020February 2018Fresher by 23 months
Display resolution2359k1037kCrisper display (+1322k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Nikon D780

 K-1 II D780 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-1 II

 D780 K-1 II 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display size3.2"3.2"Same display size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D780 offers outside measurements of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D780 versus Pentax K-1 II in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the D780 versus the K-1 II.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D780 and K-1 II is 57 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading specs. The photograph underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the D780 and K-1 II.

All in all, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax K-1 II to offer more detail having an extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more modern D780 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography details
85
focusing manually
resolution is high (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
86
manual focus
MP count great (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D780 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Street photography highlights
71
tilting screen
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
provides focus by touch
environment sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
70
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
great ISO range (819,200)
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Sports photography camera
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
resolution is high (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery (2,260 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
77
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D780
Travel photography with Pentax K-1 II
71
good battery (2,260 CIPA)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
provides focus by touch
resolution is high (25 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
53
environment proofing
MP count great (36 megapixels)
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography details
81
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
resolution is high (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery (2,260 CIPA)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
82
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count great (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great ISO range (819,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
terrible battery (670 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D780 Vlogging details
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging details
32
has touchscreen
offers face detection focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic support
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Pentax K-1 II
 Nikon D780Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D780 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2020-01-07 2018-02-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 PRIME IV
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 6048 x 4024 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 51200 819200
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 51 33
Cross focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF4
Amount of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 2,359 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 900s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/200s
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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
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 840g (1.85 lbs) 1010g (2.23 lbs)
Physical 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 All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 2260 images 670 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15b D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots 2 2
Pricing at launch $2,297 $1,737