• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon D600 advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.91 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,980 vs 1,216 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 560 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More AF points
    39 vs 27
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon D600

  • Less expensive
    $1150 vs $2700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 85 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 14 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D600
Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
All K-3 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Great controls for amateur or pro; Good grip and heft; Impressive low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.

  • Dust and oil spatter problem; Moire problem with certain subjects; Slower X-sync speed; Slow AF in Live view mode; Aliasing in videos.

  • Read our Nikon D600 Review

  • Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control

  • AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals

  • Read our Pentax K-3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon D600
Canon 6D
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D600 vs Canon 6D

Pentax K-3
Canon 6D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D7100

Nikon D600
Nikon D7100
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D600 vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D610

Nikon D600
Nikon D610
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • $1198
  • 35mm
  • Faster RAW shooting

Compare Nikon D600 vs Nikon D610

Pentax K-3
Nikon D610
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1198
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D610

Compared to Nikon D750

Nikon D600
Nikon D750
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • $1700
  • 35mm
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D600 vs Nikon D750

Pentax K-3
Nikon D750
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1700
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D750

Compared to Nikon D7200

Nikon D600
Nikon D7200
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Nikon D600 vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7200
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Compare Other Cameras?