• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon D750

  • 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 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 40 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D750 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)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
    2,956 vs 1,216 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1230 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
    51 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
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3

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

  • Outstanding image quality with great dynamic range and high ISO performance; Class-leading burst rate; Very good 51-pt AF system; AF system works in very low light; Deep, comfortable handgrip; Articulated LCD monitor; Excellent battery life; Uncompressed 4:2:2 HDMI video output; Built-in Wi-Fi.

  • Buffer fills quickly with 14-bit RAW; Sluggish Live View AF; Shutter speed tops out at 1/4000s; OVF coverage closer to 97%; Weak low-pass filter is great for detail but higher risk of moire.

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
Nikon D750
Canon 6D
  • $1700
  • 35mm
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon D750
Nikon D7100
  • $1700
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $810
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D610

Pentax K-3
Nikon D610
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1198
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D750
Nikon D610
  • $1700
  • 35mm
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $1198
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup

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
Nikon D750
Nikon D5300
  • $1700
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

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
Nikon D750
Nikon D7200
  • $1700
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
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