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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed July 2020
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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the Z5 (24MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is fairly close but the Z5 (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The Z5 was announced 6 years later than the K-3 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the Z5 scores against the K-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Pentax K-3

 Z5 K-3 
LaunchedJuly 2020April 2014Fresher by 77 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k1037kClearer display (+3k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon Z5

 K-3 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-3

 Z5 K-3 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display size3.2"3.2"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 has got physical dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the Z5 and the K-3.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and K-3 is 62 and 59 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The graphic here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and K-3.

As you can tell, both of the cameras come with the identical MP but different sensor sizing. The Z5 contains the larger sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier. The more recent Z5 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography advice
85
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
79
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography advice
Pentax K-3 Street photography advice
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
features focus by touch
weather proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
heavier than average (675 grams)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-3 Sports photography advice
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery power (470 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (4.5 frames per second)
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery (560 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z5
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
68
good battery power (470 per charge)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
features focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
heavier than average (675g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
60
weather proof
decent megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery (560 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
86
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery power (470 per charge)
has double storage slots
77
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
has double storage slots
terrible battery (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 Vlogging information
Pentax K-3 Vlogging information
34
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
heavier than average (675 grams)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-3
 Nikon Z5Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Z5 Pentax K-3
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2020-07-20 2014-04-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 6016 x 4016 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 51200 51200
Max boosted ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 273 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3.2"
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.5fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
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 PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 grams (1.49 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 470 photos 560 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual Dual
Pricing at launch $1,399 $639