Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-30
54 Imaging
72 Features
80 Overall
75


63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Launched June 2012
- Replaced the Nikon D700
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Announced October 2012
- Later Model is Pentax K-50

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-30 Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon D800E and Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the D800E (36MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the D800E (Full frame) and K-30 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

The D800E was released 4 months prior to the K-30 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the D800E grades against the K-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-30 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D800E & Pentax K-30. The complete galleries are available at Nikon D800E Gallery & Pentax K-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Pentax K-30
D800E | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Nikon D800E
K-30 | D800E |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D800E and Pentax K-30
D800E | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2012 | ![]() | October 2012 | Similar age |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D800E comes with exterior measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Check the Nikon D800E and Pentax K-30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the D800E vs the K-30.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D800E and K-30 is 54 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the D800E and K-30.
Clearly, each of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The D800E due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Nikon D800E will give more detail as a result of its extra 20MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs much more aggressively.

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800E vs Pentax K-30 Specifications
Nikon D800E | Pentax K-30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon D800E | Pentax K-30 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2012-06-11 | 2012-10-29 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed 3 | Prime M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 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 |
Peak resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
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 mount type | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 309 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 921 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | 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 |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 900 gr (1.98 lbs) | 650 gr (1.43 lbs) |
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 Overall rating | 96 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 25.6 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.3 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 2979 | 1129 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 900 photographs | 410 photographs |
Style of battery | 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 shooting | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 2 | Single |
Launch pricing | $2,389 | $525 |