Nikon D3S vs Pentax K-1

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Nikon D3S vs Pentax K-1

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35mm 860.4mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3S Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3S.

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 204,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1.
Compare Pentax K-1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D4
Compare D3S vs D4

Succeeded by the Pentax K-1 II
Compare K-1 vs K-1 II

Compare NIKON D4 vs PENTAX K-1 II

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Differences

Nikon D3S advantages over Pentax K-1

Bigger pixels
~ 8.46 vs 4.88 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

4200 vs 760 shots
Capture more photos
Faster JPEG shooting
9.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.1 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
41 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 advantages over Nikon D3S

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$1800 vs $5200 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-1 test data on DxO Mark D3S test data on DxO Mark

14.6 vs 12.0 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
9 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
1015g vs 1410g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
36.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 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
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Nikon D3S

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Buy the Pentax K-1

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3S Full Review

Unlocks the full potential of full-frame Pentax lenses; Excellent image quality; Great ergonomics and build; Very compact for full-frame; Decent performance; Fast autofocus with great low-light capabilities; Very wide sensitivity range; Bright, accurate viewfinder; Articulated LCD; Stabilization, Wi-Fi and GPS in-camera
No built-in flash strobe; Quite heavy compared to APS-C flagships; Somewhat soft images and blown highlights by default in JPEG mode; Warm Auto white balance indoors; Slow startup and buffer clearing; Small top-deck status display; Weak viewfinder illumination; Below-average battery life for DSLR
Read our Pentax K-1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2500
35mm

More dynamic range
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D3X

Pentax K-1

Nikon D3X

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D3S

Canon 1DX

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$5299
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Canon 1DX

Pentax K-1

Canon 1DX

$1800
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5299
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3S

Nikon D4

$5200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$4500
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4

Pentax K-1

Nikon D4

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$4500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon 5DS

Nikon D3S

Canon 5DS

$5200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1549
35mm

External Mic Jack
Newer

Compare Nikon D3S vs Canon 5DS

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1549
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D3S

Pentax K-1 II

$5200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3S vs Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

$1800
35mm

$1747
35mm

Higher extended ISO

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compare Other Cameras?