Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7500

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Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7500

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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 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D7500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D7500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D7500.
Compare Nikon D7500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D7500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Nikon D7500

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon D7500

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
More pixels
24.4 vs 20.9 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Nikon D7500 advantages over Pentax K-3

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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
D7500 test data on DxO Mark K-3 test data on DxO Mark

1,483 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

950 vs 560 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
7 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
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
Faster JPEG shooting
8.2 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.2 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
47 vs 24 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1638400 vs 51200 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
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
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
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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Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D7500 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

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Buy the Nikon D7500

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-80mm lens
Kit with 18-140mm lens
Kit with 18-300mm lens

All D7500 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

New carbon fiber body is light, compact and very comfortable; Same excellent image quality as the flagship D500; Quick 8.2 frames per second burst shooting with generous buffer; Very fast, accurate autofocus; Tilting touch-screen display; Very good battery life; Records ultra high-def 4K and 60fps Full HD too.
Only a single flash card slot; Doesn't support portrait / battery grip accessories; No rear infrared receiver any more; non-CPU AI lenses will be manual only; 4K video comes with a heavy crop; Movie AF is prone to hunting, Extended ISO sensitivities are a gimmick.
Read our Nikon D7500 Review

The Competition

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 D7500

Nikon D7200

$797
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$1016
APS-C

NFC
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D7200

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 D7500

Nikon D7100

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$745
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
More pixels

Compare Nikon D7500 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 D7500

Nikon D5300

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Canon 80D

Pentax K-3

Canon 80D

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 80D

Nikon D7500

Canon 80D

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
NFC

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Canon 80D

Compared to Pentax K-70

Pentax K-3

Pentax K-70

$699
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-70

Nikon D7500

Pentax K-70

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Pentax K-70

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