• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D800 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 670 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

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Nikon D800

  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.5 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    4.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 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

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points
Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D800E
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2291
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D810
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2291
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D800
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Nikon D850

Nikon D800
Nikon D850
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Internal flash
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
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