Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III

Cameras
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Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 III

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35mm 858.0mm²
45.7 megapixels
ISO 64 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D850 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D850.
Compare Nikon D850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D850 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.

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Differences

Nikon D850 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.35 vs 3.76 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

1840 vs 800 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More pixels
45.7 vs 25.7 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
153 vs 101
More AF points improve autofocus
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Nikon D850

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
Newer
4 years vs 7 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.75x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1600000 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D850

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

All D850 Deals

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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

Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.
Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.
Read our Nikon D850 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 D850

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2597
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2249
35mm

Bigger pixels
NFC

Compare Nikon D850 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 Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

$2597
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Pentax K-3 III

Sony A99 II

$1847
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Sony A99 II

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D850

Pentax KP

$2597
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 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 Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

$2597
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-3 III

Pentax K-1 II

$1847
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Canon 90D

Nikon D850

Canon 90D

$2597
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1099
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D850 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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