Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D610

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Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D610

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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.

35mm 861.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D610 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D610 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D610.
Compare Nikon D610 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D610 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Nikon D610

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon D610

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
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 85 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
24 vs 15 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 D610 advantages over Pentax K-3

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
D610 test data on DxO Mark K-3 test data on DxO Mark

2,925 vs 1,216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

900 vs 560 shots
Capture more photos
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More AF points
39 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens

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
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
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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 D610 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D610

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-85mm and 70-300mm lenses, wireless adapter, bag
Kit with 24-85mm lens
Kit with 28-300mm lens and accessory bundle

All D610 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

Eliminated sensor dust-and-oil spot issue from D600; Great controls for amateur or pro; Comfortable ergonomics and weight; Excellent image quality and low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.
Not drastically different from D600; Moire with certain subjects; Auto WB still too warm in incandescent light; Slow AF in live view mode; Aliasing in videos.
Read our Nikon D610 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Pentax K-3

Canon 6D

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 6D

Nikon D610

Canon 6D

$1198
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D610 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D600

Pentax K-3

Nikon D600

$699
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D600

Nikon D610

Nikon D600

$1198
35mm

Faster RAW shooting

$1900
35mm

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D600

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Nikon D610

Nikon D7100

$1198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$690
APS-C

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Nikon D610

Nikon D5300

$1198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon D750

Pentax K-3

Nikon D750

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1698
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D750

Nikon D610

Nikon D750

$1198
35mm

Fast startup

$1698
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D750

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