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Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
62
Imaging
49
Features
36
Overall
43
Nikon D80 front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
72
Features
86
Overall
77

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs

Nikon D80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 668g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Announced September 2006
  • Replaced the Nikon D70
  • Renewed by Nikon D90
Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Announced March 2021
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Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Nikon D80 versus Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the D80 (10MP) and K-3 III (26MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D80 was unveiled 15 years earlier than the K-3 III which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short highlight of how the D80 matches up versus the K-3 III in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D80 over the Pentax K-3 III

 D80 K-3 III 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Nikon D80

 K-3 III D80 
AnnouncedMarch 2021September 2006Newer by 176 months
Screen sizing3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1620k230kSharper screen (+1390k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon D80 and Pentax K-3 III

 D80 K-3 III 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D80 has external dimensions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") having a weight of 668 grams (1.47 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 III has sizing of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") and a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

See the Nikon D80 versus Pentax K-3 III in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the D80 vs the K-3 III.

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D80 and K-3 III is 62 and 58 respectively.

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-3 III top view buttons comparison

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through specifications. The picture below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D80 and K-3 III.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Pentax K-3 III to provide more detail having an extra 16MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged D80 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D80 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography factors
53
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
resolution not great (10MP)
83
you can focus manually
MP count excellent (26MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D80 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-3 III Street photography highlights
54
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
71
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
includes touch to focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (1,600,000)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D80 Sports photography info
Pentax K-3 III Sports photography info
41
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (26 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
not so great battery (800 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D80 Travel photography details
Pentax K-3 III Travel photography details
44
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
64
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
includes touch to focus
MP count excellent (26 megapixels)
not so great battery (800 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D80 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography factors
48
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (26 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (1,600,000)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery (800 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D80 Vlogging information
Pentax K-3 III Vlogging information
9
no video recording
35
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D80 and Pentax K-3 III
 Nikon D80Pentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D80 Pentax K-3 Mark III
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2006-09-23 2021-03-31
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 26 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 6192 x 4128
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600000
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 101
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 156
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.6
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,620 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Wireless Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 668 gr (1.47 lbs) 820 gr (1.81 lbs)
Dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 61 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 524 not tested
Other
Battery life - 800 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Storage slots 1 Dual
Retail cost $800 $1,999