Nikon D4 vs Pentax K-1 II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D4 vs Pentax K-1 II

35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D4 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D4.

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1 II.
Compare Pentax K-1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 II conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon D4 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 4.88 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

2600 vs 670 shots
Capture more photos
More AF points
51 vs 33
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
11.1 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 77 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.1 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Nikon D4

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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 15
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
6 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
1010g vs 1347g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
36.4 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 204800 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
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
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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D4 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 II User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D4

Body Only

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Buy the Pentax K-1 II

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Body Only
Kit with 28-105mm Lens

All K-1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Nikon D4.
Read our Nikon D4 Initial Test

Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.
Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.
Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4

Canon 1DX

$4500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Nikon D4 vs Canon 1DX

Pentax K-1 II

Canon 1DX

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$5299
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4

Canon EOS-1D C

$4500
35mm

Less expensive

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D4 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Pentax K-1 II

Canon EOS-1D C

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6989
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D4

Nikon D4S

$4500
35mm

Bigger JPEG buffer
Bigger RAW buffer

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher extended ISO

Compare Nikon D4 vs Nikon D4S

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D4S

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$5999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Pentax K-1

Nikon D4

Pentax K-1

$4500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$1800
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D4 vs Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

$1747
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$1800
35mm

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Nikon D850

Nikon D4

Nikon D850

$4500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$2664
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D4 vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

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