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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon D700
  • New Model is Nikon D810
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Old Model is Pentax K-1
Photography Glossary

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D800 (36MP) and the K-1 II (36MP) is fairly similar and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The D800 was released 6 years prior to the K-1 II which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the D800 grades against the K-1 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Pentax K-1 II

 D800 K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Nikon D800

 K-1 II D800 
RevealedFebruary 2018June 2012More modern by 69 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k921kSharper display (+116k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D800 and Pentax K-1 II

 D800 K-1 II 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D800 comes with outer dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") and a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 II has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the D800 and the K-1 II.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D800 and K-1 II is 54 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes merely by going over technical specs. The pic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D800 and K-1 II.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures though you might want to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The more aged D800 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography information
83
has manual focus
high resolution (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
86
you can focus manually
great MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Street photography camera
60
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
70
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
above average ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than average (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D800 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Sports photography camera
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
high resolution (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
77
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
slow fps (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery life (670 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography factors
66
environment sealing
high resolution (36 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not contain selfie friendly display
53
environment sealing
great MP (36 megapixels)
terrible battery life (670 shots)
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography highlights
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
high resolution (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
82
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (819,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
terrible battery life (670 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Vlogging camera
30
features face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic port
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800 and Pentax K-1 II
 Nikon D800Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D800 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-06-11 2018-02-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 3 PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 36MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 6400 819200
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 51 33
Cross type focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF4
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync 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
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 900 grams (1.98 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 95 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2853 not tested
Other
Battery life 900 photos 670 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Two Two
Price at release $2,999 $1,737