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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D700
  • Replacement is Nikon D810
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-3
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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Nikon D800 and Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the D800 (Full frame) and K-3 II (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The D800 was introduced 3 years prior to the K-3 II and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summation of how the D800 grades vs the K-3 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Pentax K-3 II

 D800 K-3 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Nikon D800

 K-3 II D800 
IntroducedApril 2015June 2012More recent by 34 months
Display resolution1037k921kClearer display (+116k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D800 and Pentax K-3 II

 D800 K-3 II 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3.2"3.2"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D800 provides physical dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 II has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D800 and Pentax K-3 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the D800 versus the K-3 II.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D800 and K-3 II is 54 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements just by going over specifications. The visual underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D800 and K-3 II.

To sum up, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The D800 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Nikon D800 will offer you greater detail using its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older D800 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D800
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 II
83
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is excellent (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
79
has manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800 Street photography details
Pentax K-3 II Street photography details
60
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D800 Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography features
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is excellent (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
low battery life (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800 Travel photography information
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography information
66
environment sealing
sensor resolution is excellent (36MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
56
weather proofing
good MP (24MP)
low battery life (720 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography details
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
sensor resolution is excellent (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
2 card slots
low battery life (720 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-3 II Vlogging highlights
30
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800 and Pentax K-3 II
 Nikon D800Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D800 Pentax K-3 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-06-11 2015-04-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 51 27
Cross type focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of display 921k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 8.3fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings 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 (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 900 gr (1.98 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Physical 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 Overall rating 95 80
DXO Color Depth rating 25.3 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.4 13.6
DXO Low light rating 2853 1106
Other
Battery life 900 pictures 720 pictures
Battery style 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 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual Dual
Retail price $2,999 $829