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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon D700
  • Updated by Nikon D810
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the D800 (Full frame) and K-30 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The D800 was launched 4 months prior to the K-30 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the D800 matches up vs the K-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Pentax K-30

 D800 K-30 
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Nikon D800

 K-30 D800 

Common features in the Nikon D800 and Pentax K-30

 D800 K-30 
LaunchedJune 2012October 2012Similar age
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution921k921kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon D800 has got outside measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the D800 against the K-30.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D800 and K-30 is 54 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions purely by checking specifications. The image underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D800 and K-30.

Plainly, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D800 because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Nikon D800 will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 20MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D800
Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
83
manual focus
amazing resolution (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800 Street photography factors
Pentax K-30 Street photography factors
60
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D800
Sports photography with Pentax K-30
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
amazing resolution (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800 Travel photography info
Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
66
weather sealing
amazing resolution (36 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have selfie friendly display
60
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
terrible battery (410 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography highlights
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
amazing resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
73
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D800
Vlogging with Pentax K-30
30
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800 and Pentax K-30
 Nikon D800Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D800 Pentax K-30
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-06-11 2012-10-29
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 3 Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 7360 x 4912 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 51 11
Cross type focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 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+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 900 gr (1.98 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 95 79
DXO Color Depth rating 25.3 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.4 13.0
DXO Low light rating 2853 1129
Other
Battery life 900 pictures 410 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 D-LI109,4 x AA
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 feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 1
Price at launch $2,999 $525