Nikon Df vs Pentax K-1

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Nikon Df vs Pentax K-1

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35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon Df Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Df in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Df.
Compare Nikon Df image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Df 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 Pentax K-1 II
Compare K-1 vs K-1 II
Compare Nikon Df vs Pentax K-1 II

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Differences

Nikon Df advantages over Pentax K-1

Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 4.88 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.55 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

1400 vs 760 shots
Capture more photos
Faster JPEG shooting
5.4 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 74 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.4 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
29 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 advantages over Nikon Df

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
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-1 test data on DxO Mark Df test data on DxO Mark

14.6 vs 13.1 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
36.4 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
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

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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Df User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 User Reviews

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Body Only
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Buy the Pentax K-1

Review Excerpt

Same sensor and processor as professional D4; Great image quality; Arguably the best available-light shooter in its class; Handsome, retro styling; Weather-sealed design; Big, clear full-frame viewfinder; Excellent battery life
Expensive; Bulky, yet handgrip is quite modest; Some controls are clumsy; Plastic body panels don't gel with retro aesthetic; Autofocus isn't in the same league as image quality; No AF assist lamp; No movie capture; No portrait grip; Single card slot
Read our Nikon Df 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 Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon Df

Canon 5D Mark III

$2773
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$2079
35mm

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 5D Mark III

Pentax K-1

Canon 5D Mark III

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2079
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Sony A99

Nikon Df

Sony A99

$2773
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A99

Pentax K-1

Sony A99

$1800
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1998
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon Df

Canon 6D

$2773
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 6D

Pentax K-1

Canon 6D

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1499
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon Df

Canon 5DS R

$2773
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$1849
35mm

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS R

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1849
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon Df

Pentax K-1 II

$2773
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon Df 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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