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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Introduced January 2020
  • Replaced the Nikon D750
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
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Nikon D780 versus Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D780 (25MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is relatively close but the D780 (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The D780 was revealed 5 years after the K-3 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the D780 matches up against the K-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Pentax K-3

 D780 K-3 
RevealedJanuary 2020April 2014More modern by 70 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k1037kSharper screen (+1322k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D780

 K-3 D780 

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-3

 D780 K-3 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen dimension3.2"3.2"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D780 comes with outer measurements of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D780 versus Pentax K-3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the D780 versus the K-3.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the D780 and K-3 is 57 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes only by viewing technical specs. The picture here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D780 and K-3.

As you have seen, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The D780 with its bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Nikon D780 will render extra detail because of its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The newer D780 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
85
manual focus
MP count high (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
79
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D780 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Street photography highlights
71
tilting screen
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
offers focus by touch
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-3 Sports photography advice
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count high (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery life (2,260 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
not so great battery (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-3 Travel photography factors
71
good battery life (2,260 per charge)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers focus by touch
MP count high (25 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
weather sealing
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery (560 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography factors
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
MP count high (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
good battery life (2,260 per charge)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
77
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D780 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-3 Vlogging advice
32
touch screen
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Pentax K-3
 Nikon D780Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D780 Pentax K-3
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2020-01-07 2014-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 Prime III
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 6048 x 4024 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 51200 51200
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 51 27
Cross type focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 2,359 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 840 grams (1.85 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 2260 shots 560 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15b D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two Two
Pricing at launch $2,297 $639