Nikon D700 vs Pentax K-3

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Nikon D700 vs Pentax K-3

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35mm 860.4mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D700 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D700.

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

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

Succeeded by the Nikon D800
Compare D700 vs D800

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

Compare NIKON D800 vs PENTAX K-3 II

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Differences

Nikon D700 advantages over Pentax K-3

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 8.46 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.9 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.
D700 test data on DxO Mark K-3 test data on DxO Mark

2,303 vs 1,216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

1000 vs 560 shots
Capture more photos
More viewfinder magnification
0.72x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More AF points
51 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon D700

Less expensive
$1150 vs $3000 (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 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-3 test data on DxO Mark D700 test data on DxO Mark

13.4 vs 12.2 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 15
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
11 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
24.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
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
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
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
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D700 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D700 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 Sony A900

Nikon D700

Sony A900

$3000
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$3000
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More pixels

Compare Nikon D700 vs Sony A900

Pentax K-3

Sony A900

$699
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$3000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony A900

Compared to Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D700

Canon 5D Mark II

$3000
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$1200
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D700 vs Canon 5D Mark II

Pentax K-3

Canon 5D Mark II

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 5D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D3S

Nikon D700

Nikon D3S

$3000
35mm

Less expensive
Internal flash

$5200
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D700 vs Nikon D3S

Pentax K-3

Nikon D3S

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D3S

Compared to Nikon D7100

Nikon D700

Nikon D7100

$3000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Nikon D700 vs Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Nikon D700

Nikon D5300

$3000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D700 vs Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

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