Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-3

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-3

Leave Feedback

APS-C 368.2mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D7000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D7000.

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 D7100
Compare D7000 vs D7100

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

Compare NIKON D7100 vs PENTAX K-3 II

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D7000 advantages over Pentax K-3

Bigger pixels
~ 4.79 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
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

1050 vs 560 shots
Capture more photos
More AF points
39 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon D7000

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$1150 vs $1500 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 158 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 0.24 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 16.2 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
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 19 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
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
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 D7000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7000

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

Very good image quality; Better than average noise vs. detail handling at high ISOs; Very good dynamic range in JPEGs, excellent in RAW files; Lots of high-end features in a relatively compact body; 6 fps burst mode.
Viewfinder not as accurate as specified; Viewfinder doesn't show ISO unless adjusting; No live histogram in Live View mode; No phase-detect Live View AF mode.
Read our Nikon D7000 Full 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 60D

Nikon D7000

Canon 60D

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$889
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Canon 60D

Pentax K-3

Canon 60D

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$889
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 60D

Compared to Pentax K-30

Nikon D7000

Pentax K-30

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-30

Pentax K-3

Pentax K-30

$699
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

$599
APS-C

Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5 II

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$699
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-3

Pentax K-5 II

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-5 II

Compared to Nikon D7100

Nikon D7000

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D7000 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 D7000

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D7000 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

Compare Other Cameras?