• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D7000 advantages over Pentax K-3 II

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.79 vs 3.91 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1050 vs 720 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More AF points
    39 vs 27
    More AF points improve autofocus

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Nikon D7000

  • 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
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • 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
    0.14 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
    8.1 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    60 vs 19 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.2 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    22 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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D7000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 II
Body Only (Black)
All K-3 II 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; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots

  • No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors

  • Read our Pentax K-3 II 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 II
Canon 60D
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $889
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 II 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 II
Pentax K-30
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • High resolution composite
  • Built-in GPS
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compare Pentax K-3 II 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 II
Pentax K-5 II
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • High resolution composite
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-5 II

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D7000
Canon T6i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T6i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D7000
Pentax KP
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D7000 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II
Pentax KP
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Compare Other Cameras?