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Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
36
Overall
44
Nikon D3000 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 536g - 126 x 97 x 64mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D40
  • Updated by Nikon D3100
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
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Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Nikon D3000 versus Pentax K-50, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the D3000 (10MP) and K-50 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D3000 was revealed 5 years before the K-50 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the D3000 matches up versus the K-50 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Pentax K-50

 D3000 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Nikon D3000

 K-50 D3000 
AnnouncedNovember 2013December 2009Fresher by 48 months
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3000 and Pentax K-50

 D3000 K-50 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera often, you need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D3000 provides external measurements of 126mm x 97mm x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 536 grams (1.18 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3000 versus Pentax K-50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the D3000 compared to the K-50.

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3000 and K-50 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the D3000 and K-50.

As you can see, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax K-50 to offer you greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The older D3000 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3000 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography highlights
54
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Street photography camera
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
heavier than competition (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3000
Sports photography with Pentax K-50
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery pack (500 per charge)
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low battery (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3000
Travel photography with Pentax K-50
45
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (500 shots)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
56
weather proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery (410 CIPA)
heavier than competition (650g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Landscape photography camera
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery pack (500 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
74
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
low battery (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3000 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-50 Vlogging factors
9
no video recording
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no mic socket
heavier than competition (650g)
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Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3000 and Pentax K-50
 Nikon D3000Pentax K-50
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3000 Pentax K-50
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-12-11 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 51600
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 536 gr (1.18 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 126 x 97 x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 62 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 13.0
DXO Low light rating 563 1120
Other
Battery life 500 photographs 410 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9a D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $0 $610