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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • 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-3 II
(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
  • Released April 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-3
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D780 (25MP) and the K-3 II (24MP) is relatively similar but the D780 (Full frame) and K-3 II (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The D780 was manufactured 4 years later than the K-3 II and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the D780 grades versus the K-3 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Pentax K-3 II

 D780 K-3 II 
ReleasedJanuary 2020April 2015Fresher by 58 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k1037kClearer screen (+1322k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Nikon D780

 K-3 II D780 

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-3 II

 D780 K-3 II 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D780 provides exterior dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the D780 compared to the K-3 II.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

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

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specifications. The graphic below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the D780 and K-3 II.

Plainly, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The D780 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Nikon D780 will offer extra detail due to its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger D780 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Portrait photography camera
86
focusing manually
megapixel count great (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
79
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D780 Street photography information
Pentax K-3 II Street photography information
71
screen tilts
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
provides focus via touch
environment proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Sports photography camera
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count great (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery power (2,260 CIPA)
comes with phase detect AF
no image stabilization
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (720 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography highlights
71
good battery power (2,260 CIPA)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
provides focus via touch
megapixel count great (25MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
56
weather proof
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (720 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography advice
81
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
megapixel count great (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
good battery power (2,260 per charge)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
not so great battery pack (720 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D780
Vlogging with Pentax K-3 II
32
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have external microphone support
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Pentax K-3 II
 Nikon D780Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D780 Pentax K-3 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2020-01-07 2015-04-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip 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 25MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 6048 x 4024 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 51200 51200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 51 27
Cross focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 2,359 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 8.3fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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 (available with dedicated external flash)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 840 gr (1.85 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
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 Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 1106
Other
Battery life 2260 pictures 720 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15b D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 2
Cost at release $2,297 $829