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Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
62
Overall
62
Nikon Df front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Nikon Df
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 204800)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 760g - 144 x 110 x 67mm
  • Released December 2013
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-3
Photography Glossary

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the Df (16MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the Df (Full frame) and K-3 II (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The Df was launched 16 months earlier than the K-3 II which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the Df grades against the K-3 II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Df over the Pentax K-3 II

 Df K-3 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Nikon Df

 K-3 II Df 
RevealedApril 2015December 2013Fresher by 16 months
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Df and Pentax K-3 II

 Df K-3 II 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon Df has external measurements of 144mm x 110mm x 67mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.6") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 II has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the Df versus the K-3 II.

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Df and K-3 II is 59 and 59 respectively.

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing technical specs. The graphic below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the Df and K-3 II.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Df because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Pentax K-3 II will produce more detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The older Df will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Df Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography highlights
77
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
79
focusing manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Df
Street photography with Pentax K-3 II
60
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Df as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Sports photography camera
69
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery (1,400 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery pack (720 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Df Travel photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography factors
60
good battery (1,400 shots)
weather sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
56
environment proofing
MP count good (24MP)
bad battery pack (720 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Df as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
71
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
MP count decent (16MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
good battery (1,400 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery pack (720 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Df as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Nikon Df vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Df and Pentax K-3 II
 Nikon DfPentax K-3 II
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Df Pentax K-3 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-12-20 2015-04-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4928 x 3280 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 39 27
Cross focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 921k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT-LCD -
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 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 8.3 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto FP High-speed sync, front-curtain sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, 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 (available with dedicated external flash)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 760 grams (1.68 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
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 score 89 80
DXO Color Depth score 24.6 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score 13.1 13.6
DXO Low light score 3279 1106
Other
Battery life 1400 images 720 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14,EN-EL14a D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, or 20 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 Dual
Retail pricing $2,747 $829