Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

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Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5300 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5300 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5300.
Compare Nikon D5300 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5300 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Succeeded by the Nikon D5500
Compare D5300 vs D5500

Compare PENTAX K-3 II vs NIKON D5500

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon D5300

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
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.55x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
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 None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D5300 advantages over Pentax K-3

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
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.
D5300 test data on DxO Mark K-3 test data on DxO Mark

1,338 vs 1,216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
More AF points
39 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus

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
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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5300 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

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Buy the Nikon D5300

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-140mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All D5300 Deals

Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

Excellent image quality similar to more expensive DSLRs (like the D7100); Great dynamic range; Responsive all-around performer; Excellent Full HD video-shooting quality; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Built-in GPS; Compact and lightweight size; 18-140mm kit lens performs well for its type and has a very versatile focus length range.
AA-filterless sensor makes it more prone to moire; Burst speed slows with highest quality 14-bit RAW images; Live View mode not as good as some competitors; No external headphone jack; GPS receiver not very sensitive.
Read our Nikon D5300 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5200

Nikon D5300

Nikon D5200

$549
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$590
APS-C

Less expensive
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$745
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Nikon D5300

Nikon D7100

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$745
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Canon 70D

Pentax K-3

Canon 70D

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1149
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 70D

Nikon D5300

Canon 70D

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1149
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon 70D

Compared to Canon T6s

Pentax K-3

Canon T6s

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon T6s

Nikon D5300

Canon T6s

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Canon T6s

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Nikon D5300

Nikon D7200

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1016
APS-C

NFC
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5300 vs Nikon D7200

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