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

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-01 advantages over Nikon D800

  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $3000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D800 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,853 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
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Less shutter lag
    0.21 vs 0.80 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    36.3 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    54 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

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.

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

The Competition

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 D800
Samsung NX10
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

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 D800
Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

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 D800
Samsung NX20
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Nikon D800E

Pentax K-01
Nikon D800E
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Nikon D810

Pentax K-01
Nikon D810
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Compare Other Cameras?