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Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-3

Portability
55
Imaging
75
Features
80
Overall
77
Nikon D810A front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon D810A
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 880g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Introduced February 2015
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
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon D810A and Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the D810A (36MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the D810A (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

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The D810A was unveiled 11 months after the K-3 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the D810A scores against the K-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D810A over the Pentax K-3

 D810A K-3 
IntroducedFebruary 2015April 2014Newer by 11 months
Screen resolution1229k1037kSharper screen (+192k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D810A

 K-3 D810A 

Common features in the Nikon D810A and Pentax K-3

 D810A K-3 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3.2"3.2"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D810A has outer dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 880 grams (1.94 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Nikon D810A and Pentax K-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the D810A versus the K-3.

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D810A and K-3 is 55 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The pic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D810A and K-3.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The D810A having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Nikon D810A will show greater detail having an extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The newer D810A should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D810A Portrait photography info
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography info
85
focusing manually
fantastic megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
79
focusing manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D810A Street photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Street photography highlights
60
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D810A Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Sports photography highlights
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
fantastic megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery (1,200 per charge)
has phase detect AF
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
bad battery (560 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D810A Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Travel photography highlights
69
better than average battery (1,200 CIPA)
environment sealing
fantastic megapixels (36 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
60
weather proofing
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
bad battery (560 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D810A Landscape photography information
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
80
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
fantastic megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery (1,200 per charge)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
bad battery (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D810A as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
30
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Nikon D810A vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D810A and Pentax K-3
 Nikon D810APentax K-3
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D810A Pentax K-3
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2015-02-10 2014-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip EXPEED 4 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 7360 x 4912 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest boosted ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 51 27
Cross focus points 15 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of screen 1,229k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video 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 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 880 grams (1.94 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Physical 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 score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 1200 photos 560 photos
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 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 2
Launch price $3,800 $639