Originally posted by tampamiketaylor Wolfeye,
Since you have both, overall in your opinion if you had to choose an overall all around camera would you go with k3 or 7100? Really looking for a strong portrait camera, family pics and outdoor vacation pics.
Well, if I had no other system nor lenses, the K-3 and weather sealed 18-135mm lens would be the way I'd go for portraits and vacation pictures. I think the Nikon has better high-ISO performance as well as the AF speed edge, but those aren't advantages relevant in your shooting situations. The K-3 has the biggest advantage in cheap lens selection because every K-mount lens ever made will not only fit, it will be image stabilized. A vast array of older Nikon lenses will fit the D7100 but their very oldest F-mount lenses won't, and in fact if you try and use them unmodified on the D7100 you can damage the camera. Even then, none of the old Nikons will be image stabilized. All in all the image quality is very close, but I give a slight nod to Nikon's, when using equivalent lenses.
One other minor factor is that everybody who sells cameras sells Nikon. Parts, lenses and accessories are far easier to obtain. Third-party lens makers also support Nikon to a greater extent than Pentax, but keep in mind those lenses which ARE available for both Pentax and Nikon mounts, without image stabilization, are suddenly image stabilized on the K-3, and remain non-stabilized on the D7100.
One thing is 100% certain. They are both great cameras and you won't be making a mistake with either one. Canon's 70D is another peach out there, and I own that one too. I love cameras.