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Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
62
Imaging
49
Features
36
Overall
43
Nikon D80 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Nikon D80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 668g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Released September 2006
  • Old Model is Nikon D70
  • New Model is Nikon D90
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
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Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

The following is a in depth overview of the Nikon D80 versus Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the D80 (10MP) and K-30 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D80 was unveiled 7 years prior to the K-30 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the D80 scores against the K-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D80 over the Pentax K-30

 D80 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Nikon D80

 K-30 D80 
IntroducedOctober 2012September 2006Newer by 74 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D80 and Pentax K-30

 D80 K-30 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D80 comes with exterior dimensions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 668 grams (1.47 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check the Nikon D80 versus Pentax K-30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the D80 versus the K-30.

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D80 and K-30 is 62 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The image here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D80 and K-30.

As you have seen, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax K-30 to resolve more detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged D80 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D80 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography highlights
53
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D80 Street photography info
Pentax K-30 Street photography info
54
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D80 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
41
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
low battery power (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D80 Travel photography features
Pentax K-30 Travel photography features
44
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
60
environment sealing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery power (410 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D80 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
48
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
low battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D80 Vlogging information
Pentax K-30 Vlogging information
9
no video recording
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no microphone jack
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Nikon D80 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D80 and Pentax K-30
 Nikon D80Pentax K-30
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D80 Pentax K-30
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2006-09-23 2012-10-29
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 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 None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 668 gr (1.47 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 61 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 13.0
DXO Low light score 524 1129
Other
Battery life - 410 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $800 $525