Nikon D3 vs Pentax K-3

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D3 and the Pentax K-3, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon D3 was introduced in April 2008 and Pentax K-3 was introduced in April 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D3 over Pentax K-3.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K-3 over Nikon D3.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon D3 has a 3.0" screen with 922k dot resolution and Pentax K-3 has a 3.2" screen with 1,037k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Viewfinder

Cameras have built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinders. They both have 100% coverage.

Nikon D3 features a 12.1 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36.0 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 860.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode. Pentax K-3 features a 23.35 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 51,200.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Nikon D3 is equipped with EXPEED processor and can take pictures up to 4256 x 2832 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3184 x 2120, 2128 x 1416 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios. Pentax K-3 is equipped with PRIME III processor and can take pictures up to 6016 x 4000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4608 x 3072, 3072 x 2048, 1920 x 1080 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Nikon D3 has Nikon F lens mount and Pentax K-3 has Pentax K_AF2 lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Nikon D3 its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to APS-C sensor in Pentax K-3 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

No Low-Pass Filter on Pentax K-3

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Pentax K-3. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

In-Body Image Stabilization on Pentax K-3

Pentax K-3 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Nikon D3 has an HDMI and Pentax K-3 has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Pentax K-3 comes with D-LI90 battery pack with battery life of 560 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D3 has Dual CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA) card slots. Pentax K-3 has Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slots.

Shutter

Nikon D3 has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D3, and up to 1/8000 sec on Pentax K-3. Nikon D3 can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps. Pentax K-3 can shoot continuously up to 8.3 fps.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D3 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D3 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Pentax K-3.

Flash

Pentax K-3 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal or Wireless connection. Nikon D3 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Nikon D3 and 1/180 sec on Pentax K-3.

Nikon D3 body has dimensions of 160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46") and Pentax K-3 body has dimensions of 131 x 100 x 77 mm (5.16 x 3.94 x 3.03"). Nikon D3 weighs 1300 g (2.87 lb / 45.86 oz) and Pentax K-3 weighs 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz).

Nikon D3

Pentax K-3

160 mm

157 mm

131 mm

100 mm

157 mm

100 mm

88 mm

77 mm