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Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
78
Overall
76
Nikon D810 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Nikon D810
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 980g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Introduced June 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon D800
  • Newer Model is Nikon D850
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • New Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon D810 and Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D810 (36MP) and the K-1 (36MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The D810 was brought out 20 months prior to the K-1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the D810 scores against the K-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D810 over the Pentax K-1

 D810 K-1 
Screen resolution1229k1037kClearer screen (+192k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Nikon D810

 K-1 D810 
LaunchedFebruary 2016June 2014Fresher by 20 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen

Common features in the Nikon D810 and Pentax K-1

 D810 K-1 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen dimension3.2"3.2"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D810 has got outer dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 980 grams (2.16 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check the Nikon D810 and Pentax K-1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the D810 vs the K-1.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D810 and K-1 is 54 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the D810 and K-1.

As you can tell, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of photos however you should really consider the release date of the products into consideration. The older D810 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D810 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography highlights
85
focusing manually
amazing megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
85
you can focus manually
great MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D810 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
56
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (980 grams)
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
above average ISO range (204,800)
heavier than competitors (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D810 Sports photography details
Pentax K-1 Sports photography details
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
amazing megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (1,200 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
terrible battery life (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D810 Travel photography features
Pentax K-1 Travel photography features
63
better than average battery pack (1,200 per charge)
environment sealing
amazing megapixels (36 megapixels)
flash built-in
more heavy than competitors in class (980 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
53
weather proof
great MP (36MP)
terrible battery life (760 shots)
heavier than competitors (1,010g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D810 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography factors
80
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
amazing megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (1,200 per charge)
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
terrible battery life (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D810
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
28
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone support
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (980g)
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors (1,010g)
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Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D810 and Pentax K-1
 Nikon D810Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D810 Pentax K-1
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-06-26 2016-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip EXPEED 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 12800 204800
Maximum enhanced ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
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 mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 1,229 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT-LCD (WRGB) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow rear-curtain 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 980g (2.16 pounds) 1010g (2.23 pounds)
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 97 96
DXO Color Depth score 25.7 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.8 14.6
DXO Low light score 2853 3280
Other
Battery life 1200 pictures 760 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs for up to 9 shots) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots 2 2
Pricing at release $1,999 $1,499