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Nikon Df vs Pentax KP

Portability
59
Imaging
64
Features
62
Overall
63
Nikon Df front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
68
Features
76
Overall
71

Nikon Df vs Pentax KP Key Specs

Nikon Df
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 204800)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 760g - 144 x 110 x 67mm
  • Launched December 2013
Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Revealed January 2017
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Nikon Df vs Pentax KP Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Nikon Df and Pentax KP, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the Df (16MP) and KP (24MP) and the Df (Full frame) and KP (APS-C) use different sensor sizes.

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The Df was released 4 years prior to the KP which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the Df matches up against the KP for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Df over the Pentax KP

 Df KP 
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Nikon Df

 KP Df 
RevealedJanuary 2017December 2013Newer by 37 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon Df and Pentax KP

 Df KP 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display resolution921k921kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Nikon Df vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon Df offers outer measurements of 144mm x 110mm x 67mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.6") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) and the Pentax KP has measurements of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") and a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Df and Pentax KP in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the Df versus the KP.

Nikon Df vs Pentax KP size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Df and KP is 59 and 61 respectively.

Nikon Df vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Nikon Df vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through specs. The picture below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the Df and KP.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The Df due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Pentax KP will provide greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged Df will be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon Df vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Nikon Df vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Df vs Pentax KP Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Df Portrait photography information
Pentax KP Portrait photography information
78
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
80
focusing manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Df Street photography features
Pentax KP Street photography features
60
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
very good high ISO (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Df Sports photography features
Pentax KP Sports photography features
69
resolution is good (16MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery (1,400 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/24,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
low battery power (390 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Df Travel photography advice
Pentax KP Travel photography advice
60
good battery (1,400 shots)
weather proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
62
weather proofing
decent megapixels (24MP)
built-in flash
low battery power (390 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Df
Landscape photography with Pentax KP
71
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
good battery (1,400 shots)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
low battery power (390 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Df as a Vlogging camera
Pentax KP as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Nikon Df vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Df and Pentax KP
 Nikon DfPentax KP
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Df Pentax KP
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2013-12-20 2017-01-26
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 3 PRIME IV
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 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3280 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 12800 819200
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 39 27
Cross type focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.63x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/24000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto FP High-speed sync, front-curtain sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 760 grams (1.68 lb) 703 grams (1.55 lb)
Dimensions 144 x 110 x 67mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.6") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 89 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3279 not tested
Other
Battery life 1400 shots 390 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14,EN-EL14a D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $2,747 $747