Nikon D5 vs Pentax K-3 III

Cameras
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Nikon D5 vs Pentax K-3 III

35mm 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 conclusion.

APS-C 361.2mm²
25.7 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1,600,000

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 III.

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6
Compare Nikon D6 vs Pentax K-3 III

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Differences

Nikon D5 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.45 vs 3.76 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

3780 vs 800 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 25
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More AF points
153 vs 101
More AF points improve autofocus
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 1600000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Nikon D5

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$2344 vs $3789*
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Newer
3 years vs 8 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
820g vs 1415g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
1.05x vs 0.72x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
25.7 vs 20.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
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 D5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 III User Reviews

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Body Only (CF Version)

Body Only (CF Version)
Body Only (XQD Version)
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition (XQD)

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Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 20-40mm F2.8-4 Lens
Kit with 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens

All K-3 III Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.
Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.
Read our Nikon D5 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax K-3 III, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Pentax K-3 III First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D5

Canon EOS-1D C

$5143
35mm

Touchscreen
More cross-type AF points

$6989
35mm

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Pentax K-3 III

Canon EOS-1D C

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6989
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$5143
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Pentax K-3 III

Nikon D4S

$1847
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$5143
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$2999
35mm

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Pentax K-3 III

Canon 1DX Mark II

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D5

Pentax KP

$5143
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D5 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 III

Pentax KP

$1847
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon 90D

Nikon D5

Canon 90D

$5143
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1199
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 90D

Pentax K-3 III

Canon 90D

$1847
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1199
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 III vs Canon 90D

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