Pentax K-30 vs Nikon D750

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Pentax K-30 vs Nikon D750

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-30 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-30.

35mm 861.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D750 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D750 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D750.
Compare Nikon D750 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D750 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-50
Compare K-30 vs K-50

Succeeded by the Nikon D780
Compare D750 vs D780

Compare PENTAX K-50 vs NIKON D780

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Differences

Pentax K-30 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
Lighter weight
1088g vs 1550g
Lighter weight
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D750 advantages over Pentax K-30

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 4.81 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 1.1 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.
D750 test data on DxO Mark K-30 test data on DxO Mark

2,956 vs 1,129 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D750 test data on DxO Mark K-30 test data on DxO Mark

14.5 vs 13.0 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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

1230 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
15 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
51 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
6.6 fps vs 5.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 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
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-30 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D750 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-30

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-30 Deals

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Buy the Nikon D750

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-120mm Lens

All D750 Deals

Review Excerpt

Pentaprism viewfinder is bright and accurate; Weather-sealed body can handle direct rain; Twin control dials make exposure control a snap; Solid build; Great image quality.
Lower resolution than some rivals; Not as small as recent Pentax entry-level and mid-range models; A couple of ergonomic and UI quirks; Shutter isn't the quietest; 18-55 kit lens isn't weather-sealed.
Read our Pentax K-30 Review

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.
Read our Nikon D750 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Pentax K-30

Nikon D7000

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Nikon D7000

Nikon D750

Nikon D7000

$1698
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Faster shutter

Compare Nikon D750 vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-30

Canon T4i

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Canon T4i

Nikon D750

Canon T4i

$1698
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D750 vs Canon T4i

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 II

Nikon D750

Pentax K-5 II

$1698
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$699
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D750 vs Pentax K-5 II

Compared to Canon 6D

Pentax K-30

Canon 6D

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Canon 6D

Nikon D750

Canon 6D

$1698
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

$1699
35mm

Built-in GPS
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon D750 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D610

Pentax K-30

Nikon D610

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Nikon D610

Nikon D750

Nikon D610

$1698
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1198
35mm

Fast startup

Compare Nikon D750 vs Nikon D610

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