• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Pentax K-1

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3020 vs 760 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More AF points
    51 vs 33
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.6 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 74 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.8 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    78 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 204800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax K-1 advantages over Nikon D4S

  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Lighter weight
    1015g vs 1356g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.09 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

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
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-1

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool

  • Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)

  • Read our Nikon D4S 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 Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4S 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 D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Nikon D4S 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 EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon EOS-1D C

Pentax K-1
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon D4S
Canon 5DS R
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4S vs Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1
Canon 5DS R
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D4S
Pentax K-1 II
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Nikon D4S 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?