Clicky

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Superseded the Nikon D700
  • Refreshed by Nikon D810
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-3 II
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the D800 (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

The D800 was introduced 22 months earlier than the K-3 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the D800 matches up vs the K-3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Pentax K-3

 D800 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D800

 K-3 D800 
ReleasedApril 2014June 2012More modern by 22 months
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D800 and Pentax K-3

 D800 K-3 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3.2"3.2"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to factor in 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") having a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the D800 against the K-3.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D800 and K-3 is 54 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading through specifications. The image here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D800 and K-3.

To sum up, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The D800 having a bigger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Nikon D800 will resolve extra detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged D800 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography details
83
manual focus
amazing megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
79
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Nikon D800 Street photography details
Pentax K-3 Street photography details
60
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
Supernova astonishes astronomers in ancient 12th century observations

Sports Comparison

Nikon D800 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Sports photography highlights
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
amazing megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (560 per charge)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Nikon D800 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
66
environment proof
amazing megapixels (36MP)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery power (560 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D800
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
amazing megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
terrible battery power (560 CIPA)
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D800
Vlogging with Pentax K-3
30
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic support
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
YouTube trialing AI that fast-forwards to the best video segments

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800 and Pentax K-3
 Nikon D800Pentax K-3
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D800 Pentax K-3
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-06-11 2014-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 3 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 7360 x 4912 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 51 27
Cross focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 921k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 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 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 900 grams (1.98 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 95 80
DXO Color Depth score 25.3 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 14.4 13.4
DXO Low light score 2853 1216
Other
Battery life 900 photographs 560 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 2
Price at launch $2,999 $639