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Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
78
Overall
76
Nikon D810 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon D810
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 980g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Announced June 2014
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D800
  • Renewed by Nikon D850
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Below is a extensive analysis of the Nikon D810 and Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the D810 (36MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the D810 (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The D810 was launched 3 months later than the K-3 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the D810 grades against the K-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D810 over the Pentax K-3

 D810 K-3 
Screen resolution1229k1037kClearer screen (+192k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D810

 K-3 D810 

Common features in the Nikon D810 and Pentax K-3

 D810 K-3 
LaunchedJune 2014April 2014Similar age
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D810 provides outside measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 980 grams (2.16 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has sizing 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 D810 and Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the D810 compared to the K-3.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D810 and K-3 is 54 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading through specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D810 and K-3.

All in all, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The D810 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon D810 will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots far more aggressively.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D810 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
85
has manual focus
sensor resolution is fantastic (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
79
manual focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D810 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Street photography highlights
56
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (980g)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D810 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-3 Sports photography advice
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery (1,200 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D810 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-3 Travel photography factors
63
good battery (1,200 per charge)
weather proofing
sensor resolution is fantastic (36 megapixels)
has built in flash
heavier than others in class (980g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
environment proofing
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
terrible battery power (560 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D810 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography features
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
saves RAW files
weather proofing
good battery (1,200 shots)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery power (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D810 Vlogging info
Pentax K-3 Vlogging info
28
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (980 grams)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D810 and Pentax K-3
 Nikon D810Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D810 Pentax K-3
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-06-26 2014-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip EXPEED 4 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 7360 x 4912 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 12800 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
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 mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 1,229 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT-LCD (WRGB) TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 980 gr (2.16 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
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 97 80
DXO Color Depth rating 25.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.8 13.4
DXO Low light rating 2853 1216
Other
Battery life 1200 photos 560 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs for up to 9 shots) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two Two
Pricing at launch $1,999 $639