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Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70

Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
36
Overall
44
Nikon D3000 front
 
Pentax K-70 front
Portability
62
Imaging
67
Features
81
Overall
72

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70 Key Specs

Nikon D3000
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 536g - 126 x 97 x 64mm
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Replaced the Nikon D40
  • New Model is Nikon D3100
Pentax K-70
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 688g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Launched June 2016
  • Refreshed by Pentax KF
Photography Glossary

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the D3000 (10MP) and K-70 (24MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D3000 was released 7 years before the K-70 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summation of how the D3000 grades versus the K-70 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Pentax K-70

 D3000 K-70 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-70 over the Nikon D3000

 K-70 D3000 
LaunchedJune 2016December 2009Fresher by 79 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3000 and Pentax K-70

 D3000 K-70 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon D3000 comes with outside dimensions of 126mm x 97mm x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 536 grams (1.18 lbs) and the Pentax K-70 has specifications of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") along with a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the D3000 vs the K-70.

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3000 and K-70 is 69 and 62 respectively.

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing simply by checking technical specs. The photograph here will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3000 and K-70.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax K-70 to give greater detail as a result of its extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images more aggressively. The older D3000 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-70 as a Portrait photography camera
54
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
low resolution (10 megapixels)
80
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3000 Street photography features
Pentax K-70 Street photography features
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
71
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good high ISO (102,400)
more heavy than competition (688 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3000 Sports photography information
Pentax K-70 Sports photography information
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
low battery life (500 per charge)
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3000 Travel photography information
Pentax K-70 Travel photography information
45
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
low battery life (500 CIPA)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
64
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
more heavy than competition (688g)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3000 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-70 Landscape photography info
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3")
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
low battery life (500 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
terrible battery life (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-70 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
71
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (688 grams)
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Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3000 and Pentax K-70
 Nikon D3000Pentax K-70
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D3000 Pentax K-70
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-12-11 2016-06-08
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed PRIME MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3872 x 2592 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 102400
Maximum enhanced ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.63x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 536 gr (1.18 pounds) 688 gr (1.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 126 x 97 x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 62 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 563 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 photos 410 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $0 $649