• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Pentax K-01 advantages over Nikon D610

  • 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
  • Thinner
    58 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    611g vs 1350g
    Lighter weight

Nikon D610 advantages over Pentax K-01

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.81 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,925 vs 1,135 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.4 vs 12.9 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 500 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    85 mm vs 61 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Less shutter lag
    0.26 vs 0.80 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 61 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D610

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality and excellent high ISO performance. Premium build quality. In-body image stabilization. Lots of creative features. Full HD movie capture with manual exposure control.

  • Barely any smaller than a standard SLR, but lacks viewfinder and phase-detect autofocus. Contrast-detect AF is slow and unreliable. Body design is clumsy and uncomfortable. Very slow raw burst shooting.

  • Eliminated sensor dust-and-oil spot issue from D600; Great controls for amateur or pro; Comfortable ergonomics and weight; Excellent image quality and low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.

  • Not drastically different from D600; Moire with certain subjects; Auto WB still too warm in incandescent light; Slow AF in live view mode; Aliasing in videos.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Pentax K-01
Canon 6D
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D610
Canon 6D
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Samsung NX10

Pentax K-01
Samsung NX10
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D610
Samsung NX10
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro1

Pentax K-01
Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon D610
Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Samsung NX20

Pentax K-01
Samsung NX20
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon D610
Samsung NX20
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Nikon D600

Pentax K-01
Nikon D600
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D610
Nikon D600
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $1900
  • 35mm
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