Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 20.9 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Nikon D500
75
WINNER
|
Pentax · DSLR · 24.35 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-3 II
69
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D500 and the Pentax K-3 II are both APS-C DSLRs with CMOS sensors and optical pentaprism viewfinders, so the same focal length gives the same field of view on either body. The D500 arrived in 2016, a year after the K-3 II. It is the larger body at 147 x 115 x 81 mm and 860 g, against 131 x 100 x 77 mm and 800 g for the Pentax. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 6, 2016 | April 23, 2015 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 147 x 115 x 81 mm | 131 x 100 x 77 mm |
| Camera weight | 860 g | 800 g |
| Optics | 69/100 | 74/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D500 is the stronger choice for tracking fast or erratic subjects. Its 153 autofocus points give far denser coverage than the K-3 II's 27, which matters for birds in flight and sports. Its 10 fps burst rate also beats the Pentax's 8.3 fps at peak action. The K-3 II counters with in-body stabilisation, giving every mounted lens shake reduction for handheld shooting. Its 24.35 MP sensor also offers more pixels than the D500's 20.9 MP for tight crops and large prints. Both cap shutter speed at 1/8000 second and standard ISO at 51200. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.9 MP050 | 24.35 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5568 x 3712 | 6016 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.7 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 8.3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 5 | Prime III |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
5030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16400003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
1530300 | 270300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe D500 is the clear choice for 4K footage. It offers 4K recording while the K-3 II tops out at Full HD, giving room to crop a wide framing down in editing, useful for wildlife clips. The K-3 II's maximum video frame rate of 60 fps is double the D500's 30 fps. That helps when you pan with action or slow footage in post, though its recordings stop at Full HD. Both offer built-in timelapse recording. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | MOV, AVI |
| Features | 87/100 | 59/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D500 is the more connected camera. It offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless image transfer to a phone or tablet, while the K-3 II has neither. Its touch screen also makes settings and focus point changes quicker in live view than the Pentax's non-touch display. Built-in GPS tags every K-3 II photo with location data for travel and landscape cataloguing. Its 1037000-dot screen trails the D500's 2359000 dots, so the Nikon shows finer playback detail. Both offer live view, external flash support and weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
23590001150001500000 | 10370001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 79/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D500 has the stronger battery rating, 1240 shots per charge against 720 for the K-3 II. That headroom suits full days of sports or wildlife shooting where battery swaps are inconvenient. Storage also favours the D500 for heavy shooters. Both have dual card slots, but the D500 adds an XQD slot alongside a UHS-II SD slot, letting a fast card keep pace with its 10 fps bursts. The K-3 II takes SD-type cards, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible), XQD | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL15 | D-LI90 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1240 shots1505000 | 720 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D500 if action and wildlife photography drive the decision. Its 153-point autofocus array, 10 fps burst rate and 4K recording suit birds in flight and sports, and its wireless connectivity and touch screen speed up field work.
Choose the Pentax K-3 II if you shoot handheld in low light or value location data. Its in-body stabilisation steadies every mounted lens, its 24.35 MP sensor rewards heavy cropping, and built-in GPS geotags travel work. Your lenses, Nikon F DX or Pentax KAF, are often the deciding factor.