Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D800 Compare

Here you can find digital cameras comparison. Pick up with the best rating.

Cameras which are being compared are Professional DSLR cameras.

K-1 II vs D800 - Side by side

Learn more about compared cameras specifications below.

Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D800 Specs

K-1 II

  • Introduced in February 2018
  • Professional DSLR
  • Sensor: Full frame
  • 36 megapixel
  • 4 frames/second
  • 100 – 819200 ISO
  • 1920 x 1080 Video
  • Viewfinder: Optical (Penta prism)
  • 76.00mm (3.0″) Monitor, articulated
  • Lens mount KAF2
  • WiFi built-in
  • 136.5 x 110 x 85.5mm³ (5.4″ x 4.3″ x 3.4″)
  • 1010g (32.6 oz.)

All specs: Main page for K-1 II

D800

  • Introduced in February 2012
  • Professional DSLR
  • Sensor: Full frame
  • 36 megapixel
  • 4 frames/second
  • 100 – 6400 ISO
  • 1920 x 1080 Video
  • Viewfinder: Optical (Penta prism)
  • 80.00mm (3.1″) Monitor
  • Lens mount F
  • No WiFi
  • 146 x 123 x 81.5mm³ (5.7″ x 4.8″ x 3.2″)
  • 1000g (32.3 oz.)

All specs: Main page for D800

K-1 II vs D800 Sensors

On the pictures below the sensor areas of cameras are highlighted.

This infographic highlights the sensor areas of both models compared to other common sensor formats:

Info graphic: K-1 II an D800 sensor comparison

K-1 II vs D800: Viewfinder

K-1 II has an optical viewfinder with penta prism. It has magnification of 0.70x and covers 100% of view field.

The D800 features an optical viewfinder with a penta prism that also covers 100% of the field of view, its magnification is c. 0.70x.

Viewfinder magnifications of compared cameras. The black area shows a magnification of 1x, relative to native size; in red is a magnification of 0.85x.

K-1 II (0.70x)

D800 (0.70x)

Better choice: Draw

Pentax K-1 II VS Nikon D800 Other Specs Comparison

Why is Pentax K-1 II a better choice

K-1 II

D800

Wider resolution (5, megapixel)

36.40 36.30
Better sensibility (4)

100 – 819200 ISO 100 – 6400 ISO
Image stabilizer (3)

Better monitor (2, Megapixel)

1.04 0.92
Articulated monitor (2)

More portable (2)

1284cm³
(81 cu.in.)
1464cm³
(92 cu.in.)
WiFi (2)

GPS (2)

Conclusion: Advantages of the K-1 II are the higher resolution, the larger sensitivity and the optical image stabilizer. A nice touch is that the display has a higher resolution, the articulated display and the more compact size. Finally, there’s the the built-in wifi that permits remote shooting and image transfer without the need for a cable connection and the built-in GPS.

The K-1 II scores 22 points.

Otherwise why to choose Nikon D800

K-1 II

D800

Auto Focus points (4)

33 51
Larger lens selection (3)

40 200
Built-in flash (2)

Longer battery life (3, photos)

670 1200
USB 3.0 (2)

Conclusion: Advantages of the D800 are the faster and more accurate auto focus, the larger selection of lenses and the built-in flash. A nice touch is that the battery has more stamina and the support for USB 3.0. HArdly a luxury, given today’s image size and the requirements of 4K video.

Yields 14 points for the D800.

Common Specs for both cameras compared

K-1 II

D800

Sensor format

Full frame Full frame
Speed (frames/second)

4 4
Sensor cleaning

Video resolution

1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080
External microphone

Similar weight

1010g 1000g
Environmental sealing

Pentax K-1 II VS Nikon D800 Dimensions

Look at front view of the K-1 II and D800

Top view of cameras

Total scores

Here’s the total score according to comparison above:

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D800

22
14

We recommend Pentax K-1 II as better choice.