Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 III

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Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-3 III

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35mm 861.6mm²
36.3 megapixels
ISO 64 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D810 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D810 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D810.
Compare Nikon D810 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D810 conclusion.

APS-C 361.2mm²
25.7 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1,600,000

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 III.

Succeeded by the Nikon D850
Compare D810 vs D850
Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III

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Differences

Nikon D810 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 3.76 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

1200 vs 800 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
36.3 vs 25.7 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
57 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Nikon D810

Less expensive
$2344 vs $4097
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
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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 Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 15
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
4 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
540k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More AF points
101 vs 51
More AF points improve autofocus
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1600000 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
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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 D810 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D810

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-120mm lens

All D810 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 20-40mm F2.8-4 Lens
Kit with 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens

All K-3 III Deals

Review Excerpt

Handles even better than its predecessors; Absolutely spectacular images from the 36-megapixel image sensor; Unusually wide sensitivity range for its resolution; Improved performance and buffer depths; Improved video feature set; Impressive low-light autofocus
Prone to moire and false color with some subjects; No longer available with a low-pass filter; Demands excellent lenses for the best detail; White balance tends warm under tungsten lighting
Read our Nikon D810 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-3 III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-3 III First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2291
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Internal flash

$2249
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-3 III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D810

Nikon D800

$2291
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1850
35mm

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D810 vs Nikon D800

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D800

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1850
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D800

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D810

Nikon D800E

$2291
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Faster JPEG shooting

$2212
35mm

Fast startup

Compare Nikon D810 vs Nikon D800E

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D800E

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2212
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D810

Pentax KP

$2291
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D810 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 III

Pentax KP

$1847
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon 90D

Nikon D810

Canon 90D

$2291
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon 90D

Pentax K-3 III

Canon 90D

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1099
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon 90D

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