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Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II – Comparison

 

Let’s compare the Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II. Both cameras are great for wildlife, sports and action, but that big price difference between them can make your decision a lot tougher.

Our comparison table below covers all the important specifications of each camera. Below that, we specifically talk about the new improvements and which model is better suited for your needs.

Nikon D500Pentax K-3 II
Megapixels20.924.3
Sensor TypeCMOSCMOS
Sensor FormatAPS-C (DX)APS-C
Crop Factor1.5x1.5x
AA FilterNoneOn/Off
Image Resolution5568 x 37126016 x 4000
Body Image StabilizationNoYes
Lens MountNikon FX/DXPentax K
ISO100 - 51,200100 - 51,200
Expanded ISO50 - 1,638,400None
AF Points15327
Cross-type AF Points9925
Continuous Mode10fps8fps
LCD3.2" - Articulating3.2" - Fixed
LCD Resolution2,359,000 dots1,036,800 dots
TouchscreenYesNo
Focus PeakingNoYes
Top LCD DisplayYesYes
Viewfinder TypeOpticalOptical
Viewfinder Coverage100%100%
Viewfinder Magnification1.00x0.95x
Video Resolution3840x2160 (30/25/24p)1920x1080 (60i/50i/30/25/24p)
 1920x1080 (60/50/30/25/24p)1280x720 (60/50p)
Microphone JackYesYes
Headphone JackYesYes
Memory Card TypeSD + XQDSD + SD
Dual Card SlotsYesYes
SD UHS SupportUHS-IIUHS-I
Fastest Shutter Speed1/80001/8000
Slowest Shutter Speed30"30"
Bulb ModeYesYes
JPEG Buffer Size20060
RAW Buffer Size20022
Time LapseYesYes
Built-in FlashNoNo
Max Flash Sync Speed1/2501/180
Startup Time0.3s1.2s
Built-in Wi-FiYesNo
Built-in GPSNoYes
Built- in NFCYesNo
BluetoothYesNo
USB TypeUSB 3.0USB 3.0
Environmentally SealedYesYes
Battery Life (CIPA)1240 shots720 shots
Battery IncludedYes (EN-EL15)Yes (D-LI90)
Weight30.2 oz (856g)27.07 oz (785g)
Size5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2"5.2 x 4.0 x 3.1"
PriceAmazonAmazon
Release Date20162015

Nikon D500 Advantages:

  • ISO – 1,638,400 vs 51,200. Higher maximum ISO sensitivity.
  • AF Points – 153 vs 27. More means you have a lot more focus points to choose from to perfectly frame your subject.
  • Cross-type AF Points – 99 vs 25. Cross-type AF Points are much more accurate and faster in low light.
  • Continuous mode – 10fps vs 8fps. More is better for sports and wildlife since you have more chances of getting a tack sharp shot.
  • LCD – It’s articulated.
  • LCD Resolution – Higher resolution.
  • Touchscreen Support
  • Viewfinder Magnification – Higher magnification.
  • Video Resolution – 4K video available.
  • UHS-II – Faster writing speeds than UHS-I, but you need a memory card that can handle such speeds.
  • JPEG Buffer Size – 200 vs 60. Useful for long bursts.
  • RAW Buffer Size – 200 vs 22.
  • Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/250 vs 1/180.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in NFC
  • Bluetooth Support
  • Battery Life – 1240 shots vs 720 shots.

For a lot more money, the D500 has a higher max ISO, way better AF system with a lot more points, 10 vs 8fps, an articulating LCD with touchscreen support, 4K video, UHS-II, built-in Wi-Fi and way bigger RAW/JPEG buffer.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews.

Pentax K-3 II Advantages:

  • Megapixels –  3.4 more megapixels. It’s a small difference and you won’t notice it unless printing really big.
  • AA Filter – You can turn it on and off.
  • Body Image Stabilization – The Pentax K-3 II has built-in body stabilization for photos and videos, which is an excellent feature for traveling and shooting in low light.
  • Focus Peaking – Very useful for seeing if your subject is in focus (both photo and video).
  • Built-in GPS
  • Weight – The Pentax K-3 II weighs 71g less.
  • Size – The Pentax K-3 II is noticeably smaller.
  • Less Expensive – The K-3 II body costs around $1000 less

The K-3 II is a lot more affordable, which is why this comparison is not totally fair. However, if you want to upgrade to the D500 or are thinking about buying your first wildlife DSLR, you might be tempted by both. The K-3 II will let you spend some more money on a lens, and the advantages you get are a built-in GPS, smaller size, body stabilization and focus peaking. These are all good points, but it comes down to whether you find it better than what the D500 offers.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews.

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