Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D850

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Pentax K-1 vs Nikon D850

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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.

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.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-1 II
Compare K-1 vs K-1 II
Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

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Differences

Pentax K-1 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
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-1 test data on DxO Mark D850 test data on DxO Mark

3,280 vs 2,660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D850 advantages over Pentax K-1

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
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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 760 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher-res screen
590k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
45.7 vs 36.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
153 vs 33
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 74 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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

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Adorama
Read K-1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

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

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

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1549
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS

Nikon D850

Canon 5DS

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS R

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1729
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS R

Nikon D850

Canon 5DS R

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1729
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2349
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D850

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2464
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2349
35mm

Bigger pixels
NFC

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony A99 II

Pentax K-1

Sony A99 II

$1800
35mm

Lens selection
High resolution composite

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Compared to 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

Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

$2464
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 II

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