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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2020
  • Previous Model is Nikon D750
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Nikon D780 versus Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the D780 (25MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the D780 (Full frame) and K-30 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The D780 was announced 7 years after the K-30 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the D780 scores versus the K-30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Pentax K-30

 D780 K-30 
RevealedJanuary 2020October 2012Newer by 88 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k921kSharper display (+1438k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Nikon D780

 K-30 D780 

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-30

 D780 K-30 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D780 offers outside dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D780 versus Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the D780 compared to the K-30.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D780 and K-30 is 57 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over specifications. The picture here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D780 and K-30.

Plainly, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D780 with its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Nikon D780 will offer you extra detail with its extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images way more aggressively. The more recent D780 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography factors
85
has manual focus
megapixel count high (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
71
screen tilts
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
has focus via touch
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 Sports photography details
Pentax K-30 Sports photography details
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count high (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery power (2,260 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-30 Travel photography advice
71
good battery power (2,260 shots)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
megapixel count high (25 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
60
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography factors
81
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
megapixel count high (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proof
good battery power (2,260 shots)
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D780 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-30 Vlogging factors
32
touchscreen enabled
includes face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Pentax K-30
 Nikon D780Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D780 Pentax K-30
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2020-01-07 2012-10-29
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Prime M
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 25MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6048 x 4024 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 51 11
Cross focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 2,359k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 900s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 840g (1.85 lb) 650g (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1129
Other
Battery life 2260 pictures 410 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15b D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two One
Launch price $2,297 $525