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Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3

Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
62
Overall
62
Nikon Df front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon Df
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 204800)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 760g - 144 x 110 x 67mm
  • Released December 2013
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Launched April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Nikon Df and Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the Df (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the Df (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

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The Df was revealed 3 months prior to the K-3 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a concise overview of how the Df matches up against the K-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Df over the Pentax K-3

 Df K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon Df

 K-3 Df 
Display resolution1037k921kClearer display (+116k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Df and Pentax K-3

 Df K-3 
LaunchedDecember 2013April 2014Same age
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3.2"3.2"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Df comes with physical measurements of 144mm x 110mm x 67mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.6") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

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

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the Df compared to the K-3.

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Df and K-3 is 59 and 59 respectively.

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions just by looking through specs. The image underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the Df and K-3.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Df with its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax K-3 will render more detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images way more aggressively.

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Df Portrait photography information
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography information
77
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW files
79
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Df
Street photography with Pentax K-3
60
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Df
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
69
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
great battery (1,400 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Df Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Travel photography highlights
60
great battery (1,400 shots)
environment proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
60
environment sealing
good MP (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (560 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Df Landscape photography information
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
71
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
great battery (1,400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
77
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
terrible battery pack (560 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Df as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic support
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Df and Pentax K-3
 Nikon DfPentax K-3
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Df Pentax K-3
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-12-20 2014-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 3 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 860.4mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4928 x 3280 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 39 27
Cross type focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT-LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto FP High-speed sync, front-curtain sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 760 gr (1.68 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 144 x 110 x 67mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.6") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 89 80
DXO Color Depth rating 24.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 13.4
DXO Low light rating 3279 1216
Other
Battery life 1400 shots 560 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14,EN-EL14a D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, or 20 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 2
Retail cost $2,747 $639