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Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III

Portability
54
Imaging
78
Features
87
Overall
81
Nikon D850 front
 
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
Portability
58
Imaging
72
Features
86
Overall
77

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III Key Specs

Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Announced August 2017
  • Superseded the Nikon D810
Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Announced March 2021
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Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III Overview

Below is a extended review of the Nikon D850 and Pentax K-3 III, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the D850 (46MP) and K-3 III (26MP) and the D850 (Full frame) and K-3 III (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The D850 was announced 4 years before the K-3 III and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the D850 matches up against the K-3 III with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Pentax K-3 III

 D850 K-3 III 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k1620kSharper screen (+739k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 III over the Nikon D850

 K-3 III D850 
AnnouncedMarch 2021August 2017More recent by 43 months

Common features in the Nikon D850 and Pentax K-3 III

 D850 K-3 III 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen dimension3.2"3.2"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D850 features outer measurements of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") having a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 III has dimensions of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") and a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D850 and Pentax K-3 III in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the D850 versus the K-3 III.

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D850 and K-3 III is 54 and 58 respectively.

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III top view buttons comparison

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor measurements simply by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D850 and K-3 III.

To sum up, both of those cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The D850 using its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Nikon D850 will render more detail with its extra 20 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively. The older D850 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III sensor size comparison

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D850 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography factors
86
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is amazing (46 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
83
you can focus manually
MP count great (26 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D850
Street photography with Pentax K-3 III
66
screen tilts
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
environment proof
very good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (1,015g)
71
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
offers focus by touch
environment proof
above average high ISO (1,600,000)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D850
Sports photography with Pentax K-3 III
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is amazing (46 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery (1,840 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count great (26MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (800 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 III as a Travel photography camera
65
better than average battery (1,840 per charge)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
sensor resolution is amazing (46MP)
more heavy than competition in class (1,015 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
64
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
offers focus by touch
MP count great (26 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (800 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D850 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography info
82
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
sensor resolution is amazing (46 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery (1,840 per charge)
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count great (26MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (1,600,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
terrible battery pack (800 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D850 Vlogging information
Pentax K-3 III Vlogging information
30
touchscreen functionality
provides face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (1,015 grams)
35
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D850 and Pentax K-3 III
 Nikon D850Pentax K-3 Mark III
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D850 Pentax K-3 Mark III
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2017-08-24 2021-03-31
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23 x 15.5mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 356.5mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 26MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 8256 x 5504 6192 x 4128
Maximum native ISO 25600 1600000
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 153 101
Cross type focus points 99 25
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 156
Focal length multiplier 1 1.6
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 2,359k dots 1,620k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.75x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1015g (2.24 lbs) 820g (1.81 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 100 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 26.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2660 not tested
Other
Battery life 1840 photographs 800 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15a D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1)
Card slots 2 2
Launch cost $2,997 $1,999