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Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
54
Imaging
77
Features
87
Overall
81
Nikon D850 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Launched August 2017
  • Superseded the Nikon D810
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced October 2012
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
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Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Nikon D850 and Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the D850 (46MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the D850 (Full frame) and K-30 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The D850 was launched 4 years after the K-30 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the D850 scores versus the K-30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Pentax K-30

 D850 K-30 
IntroducedAugust 2017October 2012More modern by 59 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k921kCrisper display (+1438k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Nikon D850

 K-30 D850 

Common features in the Nikon D850 and Pentax K-30

 D850 K-30 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D850 provides outer dimensions of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") and a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) while 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).

See the Nikon D850 and Pentax K-30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the D850 versus the K-30.

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the D850 and K-30 is 54 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specifications. The pic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D850 and K-30.

To sum up, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The D850 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Nikon D850 will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 30 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The fresher D850 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
86
you can focus manually
excellent megapixels (46 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
74
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D850
Street photography with Pentax K-30
66
screen tilts
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
offers focus via touch
environment proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (1,015 grams)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D850 Sports photography info
Pentax K-30 Sports photography info
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent megapixels (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery life (1,840 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D850 Travel photography details
Pentax K-30 Travel photography details
65
great battery life (1,840 shots)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
offers focus via touch
excellent megapixels (46 megapixels)
more heavy than competition in class (1,015g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
60
weather proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
82
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
excellent megapixels (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
great battery life (1,840 CIPA)
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
73
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D850 Vlogging info
Pentax K-30 Vlogging info
29
touchscreen functionality
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (1,015 grams)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
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Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D850 and Pentax K-30
 Nikon D850Pentax K-30
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D850 Pentax K-30
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2017-08-24 2012-10-29
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 5 Prime M
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 8256 x 5504 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO 102400 25600
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 153 11
Cross focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 2,359k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.75x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1015g (2.24 pounds) 650g (1.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 100 79
DXO Color Depth score 26.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 14.8 13.0
DXO Low light score 2660 1129
Other
Battery life 1840 photos 410 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15a D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two 1
Launch pricing $2,997 $525