Nikon D610 vs Pentax K-1

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Nikon D610 vs Pentax K-1

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35mm 861.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D610 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D610 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D610.
Compare Nikon D610 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D610 conclusion.

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 Pentax K-1 II
Compare K-1 vs K-1 II
Compare Nikon D610 vs Pentax K-1 II

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Differences

Nikon D610 advantages over Pentax K-1

Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Faster JPEG shooting
5.9 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.9 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Pentax K-1 advantages over Nikon D610

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
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.
K-1 test data on DxO Mark D610 test data on DxO Mark

3,280 vs 2,925 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
36.4 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bigger JPEG buffer
74 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D610 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 User Reviews

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Body Only
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Kit with 24-85mm lens
Kit with 28-300mm lens and accessory bundle

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Buy the Pentax K-1

Review Excerpt

Eliminated sensor dust-and-oil spot issue from D600; Great controls for amateur or pro; Comfortable ergonomics and weight; Excellent image quality and low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.
Not drastically different from D600; Moire with certain subjects; Auto WB still too warm in incandescent light; Slow AF in live view mode; Aliasing in videos.
Read our Nikon D610 Express 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 6D

Nikon D610

Canon 6D

$1196
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D610 vs Canon 6D

Pentax K-1

Canon 6D

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1499
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D600

Nikon D610

Nikon D600

$1196
35mm

Faster RAW shooting

$1900
35mm

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D600

Pentax K-1

Nikon D600

$1800
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1900
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D600

Compared to Nikon D750

Nikon D610

Nikon D750

$1196
35mm

Fast startup

$1698
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D750

Pentax K-1

Nikon D750

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1698
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D750

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon D610

Canon 5DS R

$1196
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D610 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 D610

Pentax K-1 II

$1196
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1697
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D610 vs Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

$1800
35mm

$1697
35mm

Higher extended ISO

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-1 II

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