Pentax KP vs Nikon D850

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Pentax KP vs Nikon D850

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

35mm 858.0mm²
45.7 megapixels
ISO 64 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D850 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D850.
Compare Nikon D850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D850 conclusion.

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Differences

Pentax KP advantages over Nikon D850

Less expensive
$999 vs $2197
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lighter weight
699g vs 915g
Lighter weight
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/24000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D850 advantages over Pentax KP

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 1.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

1840 vs 390 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Higher-res screen
590k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.75x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
45.7 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
153 vs 27
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 35 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D850

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Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

All D850 Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.
Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.
Read our Nikon D850 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D850

Pentax K-3 II

$2464
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Sony A99 II

Pentax KP

Sony A99 II

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Pentax KP vs Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Compared to Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1032
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Nikon D850

Nikon D5600

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1032
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D850 vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax KP

Canon T7i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

Nikon D850

Canon T7i

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon T7i

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Pentax KP

Pentax K-1 II

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

$2464
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compare Other Cameras?