Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-3 II

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Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-3 II

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3300 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3300 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3300.
Compare Nikon D3300 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3300 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 II.
Compare Pentax K-3 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3400
Compare D3300 vs D3400

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 III
Compare K-3 II vs K-3 III

Compare NIKON D3400 vs PENTAX K-3 III

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Differences

Nikon D3300 advantages over Pentax K-3 II

Less expensive
$16 vs $830*
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D3300 test data on DxO Mark K-3 II test data on DxO Mark

1,385 vs 1,106 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 60 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Nikon D3300

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
27 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
8.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.2 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
22 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3300 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 II User Reviews

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Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
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Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Red)

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Buy the Pentax K-3 II

Body Only (Black)

All K-3 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality with lots of fine detail; Very good high ISO performance; Good dynamic range; Good print quality; Deep buffers with JPEGs; 1080/60p video; Uncompressed HDMI output.
AF struggles in low-light; Contrast-detect AF in live view is slow; Buffer depth is shallow with RAW files; No AE bracketing; No built-in Wi-Fi.
Read our Nikon D3300 Review

Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots
No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors
Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3200

Nikon D3300

Nikon D3200

$206
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$477
APS-C

Has anti-aliasing filter
Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Nikon D3200

Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D3200

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$477
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Nikon D3200

Compared to Sony A37

Nikon D3300

Sony A37

$206
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Sony A37

Pentax K-3 II

Sony A37

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
High resolution composite

$600
APS-C

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A37

Compared to Canon T5

Nikon D3300

Canon T5

$206
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$399
APS-C

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Canon T5

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T5

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$399
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T5

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D3300

Canon T6i

$206
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D3300

Pentax KP

$206
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3300 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

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