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Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-1

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800E front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Nikon D800E
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Previous Model is Nikon D700
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
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Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Nikon D800E and Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the D800E (36MP) and the K-1 (36MP) is fairly well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The D800E was revealed 4 years before the K-1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the D800E scores against the K-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Pentax K-1

 D800E K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Nikon D800E

 K-1 D800E 
ReleasedFebruary 2016June 2012Fresher by 44 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k921kClearer display (+116k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D800E and Pentax K-1

 D800E K-1 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display dimension3.2"3.2"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D800E has physical measurements 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 has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D800E and Pentax K-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the D800E vs the K-1.

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the D800E and K-1 is 54 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by checking specs. The visual here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D800E and K-1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact MP therefore you can expect similar quality of files although you should always factor the age of the products into consideration. The older D800E is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800E Portrait photography details
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography details
83
focusing manually
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
85
has manual focus
high resolution (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800E as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
60
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
70
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
above average ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D800E Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Sports photography highlights
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high resolution (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
not so great battery pack (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800E as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
66
environment sealing
MP count excellent (36MP)
built-in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
53
environment proof
high resolution (36 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (760 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800E Landscape photography info
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography info
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
MP count excellent (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
exports RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high resolution (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
supports RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
not so great battery pack (760 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D800E
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
30
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic support
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010 grams)
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Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800E and Pentax K-1
 Nikon D800EPentax K-1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D800E Pentax K-1
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-06-11 2016-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 3 -
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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 6400 204800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 51 33
Cross focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 4.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 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
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 900 grams (1.98 lbs) 1010 grams (2.23 lbs)
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 score 96 96
DXO Color Depth score 25.6 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.3 14.6
DXO Low light score 2979 3280
Other
Battery life 900 pictures 760 pictures
Battery type 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 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 2 2
Retail cost $2,389 $1,499