• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

Buy From

Differences

Nikon Df advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.55 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1400 vs 670 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.4 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 77 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 II advantages over Nikon Df

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $1997 vs $2997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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 telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 50 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
    0.10 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
  • Wider angle kit lens
    28 mm vs 50 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 204800 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Df
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 50mm f/1.8 lens
All Df Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-1 II
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-105mm Lens
All K-1 II Deals

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

  • 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.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon Df
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 5D Mark III

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Sony A99

Nikon Df
Sony A99
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A99

Pentax K-1 II
Sony A99
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Sony A99

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon Df
Canon 6D
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 6D

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 6D
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon Df
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Nikon Df
Nikon D850
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Nikon Df vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?