Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 Mark II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 45.7 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon D850
82
WINNER
|
Pentax · DSLR · 36 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Pentax K-1 Mark II
80
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D850 and the Pentax K-1 Mark II are both full-frame DSLRs with optical pentaprism viewfinders, built for photographers who want a large optical camera rather than a mirrorless body. The D850 arrived in 2017 and the K-1 Mark II in 2018. Each uses its maker's own SLR mount, the Nikon F FX and the Pentax KAF4, so your lens choice follows the body you pick. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2017 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 23, 2017 | February 21, 2018 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 146 x 124 x 79 mm | 137 x 110 x 86 mm |
| Camera weight | 1005 g | 1010 g |
| Optics | 79/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D850 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, thanks to its 45.7 megapixel sensor against 36 megapixels on the K-1 Mark II. That extra resolution gives you more room to trim a distant bird or extract a tight composition from a wide landscape while keeping large prints clean. The K-1 Mark II answers with in-body stabilisation, which the D850 lacks, letting you shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds with any lens. For action the D850 is stronger, shooting at 7 frames per second rather than 4.4, with 153 autofocus points against 33 for tracking a moving subject. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors and top out at 1/8000 second. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
45.7 MP050 | 36 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
8256 x 5504 | 7360 x 4912 |
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. |
23.9 x 35.9 | 35.9 x 24 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
7 fps045 | 4.4 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 FX | Pentax KAF4 |
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 IV |
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. |
6430200 | 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. |
256003003280000 | 8192003003280000 |
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. |
3230200 | 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. |
1024003003280000 | 8192003003280000 |
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 | 330300 |
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 ComparisonVideoChoose the D850 for 4K footage, because its maximum recording resolution is 4K while the K-1 Mark II tops out at Full HD. The extra pixels give more latitude to crop and reframe a clip in editing. The K-1 Mark II instead offers the higher maximum frame rate, up to 60 frames per second, giving more scope for slow-motion playback. Both cameras offer built-in timelapse for a sunset or passing clouds. | ||
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, MP4 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Features | 87/100 | 72/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe D850 gives you a touch screen for quick settings and focus placement, while the K-1 Mark II gives you a screen that flips out for low-angle and overhead shooting. The better fit depends on how you compose. The D850's screen also resolves 2,359,000 dots against 1,037,000, a sharper view for checking critical focus. The K-1 Mark II adds built-in GPS, useful for tagging wildlife and travel locations. Both are weather sealed and connect over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. | ||
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 | TFT 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. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
No |  Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 84/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D850's battery rating is the practical standout for long shoots, at 1840 shots against 670 for the K-1 Mark II. That headroom suits long days of shooting away from a charger, and neither body charges over USB. Both offer dual card slots, but in different formats. The D850 pairs a UHS-II SD slot with an XQD slot for fast writing during bursts, while the K-1 Mark II takes two SD cards at UHS-I speed. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible), XQD | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I Compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL15a | D-LI90 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1840 shots1505000 | 670 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For wildlife, sports and high-resolution landscape work, the D850 is the better pick. Its 45.7 megapixels, 153 autofocus points and 7 frames per second support cropping and fast subjects, and 4K video with a far longer battery rating rounds out the kit.
The K-1 Mark II earns its place for handheld work in dim interiors or evening streets, where its in-body stabilisation allows slower shutter speeds with any lens. Its GPS and tilting screen also suit location-tagged travel photography. Since the mounts differ, weigh the Nikon F and Pentax K lens ranges you would actually buy.