Pentax K-3 II vs Nikon Z 30

Cameras
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Pentax K-3 II vs Nikon Z 30

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3 II.
Compare Pentax K-3 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 II conclusion.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z 30 Review.

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Differences

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Nikon Z 30

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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 GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

720 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
24.4 vs 20.9 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
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z 30 advantages over Pentax K-3 II

Less expensive
$697 vs $830*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
59 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Newer
2 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
390g vs 785g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
900 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.0 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Adorama
Read K-3 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z 30 User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)

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Buy the Nikon Z 30

Kit with 16-50mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots
No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors
Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

We haven’t reviewed the Nikon Z 30.
Read our Nikon Z 30 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T6i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Nikon Z 30

Canon T6i

$697
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon Z 30 vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

$999
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Nikon Z 30

Pentax KP

$697
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$999
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon Z 30 vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax K-3 II

Canon T7i

$830
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T7i

Nikon Z 30

Canon T7i

$697
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
NFC

Compare Nikon Z 30 vs Canon T7i

Compared to Canon EOS M50 II

Pentax K-3 II

Canon EOS M50 II

$830
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$591
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon EOS M50 II

Nikon Z 30

Canon EOS M50 II

$697
APS-C

Larger sensor
Newer

$591
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon Z 30 vs Canon EOS M50 II

Compared to Nikon Z fc

Pentax K-3 II

Nikon Z fc

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$957
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Nikon Z fc

Nikon Z 30

Nikon Z fc

$697
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$957
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Thinner

Compare Nikon Z 30 vs Nikon Z fc

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