Nikon D750 vs Pentax K-1

Cameras
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Nikon D750 vs Pentax K-1

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35mm 861.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D750 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D750 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D750.
Compare Nikon D750 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D750 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 Nikon D780
Compare D750 vs D780

Succeeded by the Pentax K-1 II
Compare K-1 vs K-1 II

Compare NIKON D780 vs PENTAX K-1 II

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Differences

Nikon D750 advantages over Pentax K-1

Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 4.88 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.2 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

1230 vs 760 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More AF points
51 vs 33
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
6.6 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.6 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Pentax K-1 advantages over Nikon D750

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
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 D750 test data on DxO Mark

3,280 vs 2,956 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 15
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.21 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 40 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 51200 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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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

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Read D750 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Outstanding image quality with great dynamic range and high ISO performance; Class-leading burst rate; Very good 51-pt AF system; AF system works in very low light; Deep, comfortable handgrip; Articulated LCD monitor; Excellent battery life; Uncompressed 4:2:2 HDMI video output; Built-in Wi-Fi.
Buffer fills quickly with 14-bit RAW; Sluggish Live View AF; Shutter speed tops out at 1/4000s; OVF coverage closer to 97%; Weak low-pass filter is great for detail but higher risk of moire.
Read our Nikon D750 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 Nikon D600

Nikon D750

Nikon D600

$1700
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1900
35mm

Fast startup

Compare Nikon D750 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 Canon 6D

Nikon D750

Canon 6D

$1700
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

$1699
35mm

Built-in GPS
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon D750 vs Canon 6D

Pentax K-1

Canon 6D

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1699
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D610

Nikon D750

Nikon D610

$1700
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1198
35mm

Fast startup

Compare Nikon D750 vs Nikon D610

Pentax K-1

Nikon D610

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1198
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon D750

Canon 5DS R

$1700
35mm

Bigger pixels
Tiltable Screen

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D750 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 D750

Pentax K-1 II

$1700
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D750 vs Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

$1800
35mm

$1747
35mm

Higher extended ISO

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-1 II

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