Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D780

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Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D780

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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 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D780 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D780.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II
Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Nikon D780

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon D780

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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 15
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Nikon D780 advantages over Pentax K-3

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 3.91 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

2260 vs 560 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
5 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
786k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
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
Longer exposure
900 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D780 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 D780

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-120mm f/4 lens

All D780 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

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon D780, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon D780 Shooter's Report

The Competition

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 D780

Nikon D7100

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$745
APS-C

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D780 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 D780

Nikon D5300

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D780 vs Nikon D5300

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 D780

Nikon D7200

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1016
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Nikon D780 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-3

Canon 5D Mark IV

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2099
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2099
35mm

NFC
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-3

Pentax K-1 II

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
More telephoto lens reach

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D780

Pentax K-1 II

$1830
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II

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