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Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-3

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800E front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon D800E
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon D700
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Announced April 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-3 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Nikon D800E versus Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the D800E (36MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the D800E (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The D800E was introduced 22 months before the K-3 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the D800E matches up vs the K-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Pentax K-3

 D800E K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D800E

 K-3 D800E 
AnnouncedApril 2014June 2012More recent by 22 months
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D800E and Pentax K-3

 D800E K-3 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D800E provides external 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 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Nikon D800E versus Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the D800E compared to the K-3.

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the D800E and K-3 is 54 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualise the gap between sensor measurements merely by looking at technical specs. The graphic below will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the D800E and K-3.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The D800E having a larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Nikon D800E will give you greater detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The older D800E is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800E Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography advice
83
has manual focus
megapixel count fantastic (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
79
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800E Street photography advice
Pentax K-3 Street photography advice
60
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
good high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D800E Sports photography information
Pentax K-3 Sports photography information
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count fantastic (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800E as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
66
weather proof
megapixel count fantastic (36MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
60
weather proof
megapixel count decent (24MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery (560 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800E as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
79
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
megapixel count fantastic (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800E Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-3 Vlogging highlights
30
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800E and Pentax K-3
 Nikon D800EPentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D800E Pentax K-3
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-06-11 2014-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias 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 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 51 27
Cross type focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 900 gr (1.98 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
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 rating 96 80
DXO Color Depth rating 25.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.3 13.4
DXO Low light rating 2979 1216
Other
Battery life 900 pictures 560 pictures
Battery format 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
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual Dual
Cost at launch $2,389 $639