Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-30
54 Imaging
74 Features
78 Overall
75


63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed June 2014
- Older Model is Nikon D800
- Updated by Nikon D850
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Introduced October 2012
- Updated by Pentax K-50

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-30 Overview
Let's examine more in depth at the Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the D810 (36MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the D810 (Full frame) and K-30 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

The D810 was unveiled 21 months after the K-30 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the D810 matches up versus the K-30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-30 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D810 & Pentax K-30. The full galleries are available at Nikon D810 Gallery & Pentax K-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D810 over the Pentax K-30
D810 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2014 | ![]() | October 2012 | More modern by 21 months |
Screen dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 921k | Sharper screen (+308k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Nikon D810
K-30 | D810 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D810 and Pentax K-30
D810 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D810 comes with exterior dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 980 grams (2.16 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Look at the Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the D810 versus the K-30.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D810 and K-30 is 54 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes merely by checking out specs. The image below will give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D810 and K-30.
All in all, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The D810 using its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon D810 will provide greater detail having an extra 20 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger D810 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications
Nikon D810 | Pentax K-30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon D810 | Pentax K-30 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2014-06-26 | 2012-10-29 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | EXPEED 4 | Prime M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 5:4 and 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 51200 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | 32 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 51 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | 15 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Number of lenses | 309 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 1,229 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT-LCD (WRGB) | 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 | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 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+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | 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 | 980g (2.16 lb) | 650g (1.43 lb) |
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 | 97 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 25.7 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.8 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 2853 | 1129 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 1200 photos | 410 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL15 | D-LI109,4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs for up to 9 shots) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Dual | One |
Launch price | $1,999 | $525 |