• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 750.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Nikon S9700

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    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
    ~ 3.91 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 560 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 16.0 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
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S9700 advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $1150 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

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  • Body Only
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Review Excerpt

  • Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control

  • AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals

  • Read our Pentax K-3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Nikon S9700
Nikon D7100
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3
Nikon D5300
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Nikon S9700
Nikon D5300
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7200
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Nikon S9700
Nikon D7200
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Sony WX500

Pentax K-3
Sony WX500
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony WX500

Nikon S9700
Sony WX500
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Sony WX500

Compared to Sony HX90V

Pentax K-3
Sony HX90V
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX90V

Nikon S9700
Sony HX90V
  • $590
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S9700 vs Sony HX90V

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