Nikon D700 vs Pentax K-x

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D700 vs Pentax K-x

35mm 860.4mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D700 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D700.

APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

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

Succeeded by the Nikon D800
Compare D700 vs D800

Succeeded by the Pentax K-r
Compare K-x vs K-r

Compare NIKON D800 vs PENTAX K-R

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Differences

Nikon D700 advantages over Pentax K-x

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 8.46 vs 5.53 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
D700 test data on DxO Mark K-x test data on DxO Mark

2,303 vs 811 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

1000 vs 420 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
15 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
920k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.72x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More AF points
51 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
5.1 fps vs 4.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 25 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax K-x advantages over Nikon D700

Less expensive
$650 vs $3000 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel

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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Nikon D700

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Buy the Pentax K-x

Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D700 Review

Read our Pentax K-x Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Nikon D700

Sony A900

$3000
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$3000
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More pixels

Compare Nikon D700 vs Sony A900

Pentax K-x

Sony A900

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

$3000
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony A900

Compared to Pentax K-7

Nikon D700

Pentax K-7

$3000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1300
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D700 vs Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-7

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony A850

Nikon D700

Sony A850

$3000
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$2219
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D700 vs Sony A850

Pentax K-x

Sony A850

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

$2219
35mm

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D3S

Nikon D700

Nikon D3S

$3000
35mm

Less expensive
Internal flash

$5200
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D700 vs Nikon D3S

Pentax K-x

Nikon D3S

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$5200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-x vs Nikon D3S

Compared to Pentax K-r

Nikon D700

Pentax K-r

$3000
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$850
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D700 vs Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

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