Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-70

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Nikon D810 vs Pentax K-70

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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 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-70 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-70 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-70.
Compare Pentax K-70 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-70 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D850
Compare D810 vs D850
Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-70

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Differences

Nikon D810 advantages over Pentax K-70

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.0 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

1200 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
15 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
36.3 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
51 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bigger RAW buffer
23 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-70 advantages over Nikon D810

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$797 vs $2079
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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 Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
6.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
102400 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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D810 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-70 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-70

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Body Only (Black)
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Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Silver)

All K-70 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

Huge bang for the buck; Great image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast autofocus; Good burst frame rate with deep buffer; Pentaprism viewfinder; Twin control dials; Articulated LCD; Comprehensive weather-sealing and freeze-proofing; Unbelievable wealth of rare to unique (yet very useful) features
Wi-Fi wireless communication is slow, clumsy and unintuitive; Video autofocus is prone to hunting or racking focus; Slow buffer clearing; Rather heavy for an entry-level DSLR; Autofocus and metering systems are a bit dated; Below average battery life
Read our Pentax K-70 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2246
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-70

Canon 5D Mark IV

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2099
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D810

Nikon D800

$2246
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-70

Nikon D800

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1850
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D810

Nikon D800E

$2246
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Faster JPEG shooting

$2212
35mm

Fast startup

Compare Nikon D810 vs Nikon D800E

Pentax K-70

Nikon D800E

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$2212
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Canon T6s

Nikon D810

Canon T6s

$2246
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$619
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon T6s

Pentax K-70

Canon T6s

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon T6s

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon D810

Canon 5DS R

$2246
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$1849
35mm

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-70

Canon 5DS R

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1849
35mm

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon 5DS R

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