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Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-1

Portability
55
Imaging
75
Features
80
Overall
77
Nikon D810A front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Nikon D810A
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 880g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Introduced February 2015
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
  • Later Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Following is a in depth assessment of the Nikon D810A and Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D810A (36MP) and the K-1 (36MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor size (Full frame).

Photography Glossary

The D810A was announced 12 months earlier than the K-1 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a short view of how the D810A matches up vs the K-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D810A over the Pentax K-1

 D810A K-1 
Screen resolution1229k1037kCrisper screen (+192k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Nikon D810A

 K-1 D810A 
LaunchedFebruary 2016February 2015More modern by 12 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen

Common features in the Nikon D810A and Pentax K-1

 D810A K-1 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen dimensions3.2"3.2"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon D810A enjoys physical measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 880 grams (1.94 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D810A and Pentax K-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the D810A compared to the K-1.

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D810A and K-1 is 55 and 55 respectively.

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes just by going through technical specs. The image below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D810A and K-1.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP so you should expect comparable quality of photos but you may want to take the release date of the cameras into account. The more aged D810A will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D810A as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
85
has manual focus
amazing sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
85
has manual focus
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D810A Street photography details
Pentax K-1 Street photography details
60
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
good high ISO (204,800)
more heavy than average (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D810A
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
amazing sensor resolution (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery pack (1,200 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
bad battery pack (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D810A Travel photography details
Pentax K-1 Travel photography details
69
better than average battery pack (1,200 CIPA)
weather proof
amazing sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not posses selfie friendly screen
53
environment proof
high megapixels (36MP)
bad battery pack (760 shots)
more heavy than average (1,010g)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D810A Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography factors
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
amazing sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery pack (1,200 shots)
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
good high ISO (204,800)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
has dual storage slots
bad battery pack (760 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D810A as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
30
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly display
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
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Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D810A and Pentax K-1
 Nikon D810APentax K-1
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D810A Pentax K-1
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2015-02-10 2016-02-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip EXPEED 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 12800 204800
Max enhanced ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 51 33
Cross type focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3.2" 3.2"
Display resolution 1,229k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 880 gr (1.94 lb) 1010 gr (2.23 lb)
Physical 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 rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 1200 pictures 760 pictures
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 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots 2 2
Retail pricing $3,800 $1,499