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Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
69
Imaging
51
Features
36
Overall
45
Nikon D3000 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-S2 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
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D40
  • Renewed by Nikon D3100
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-S1
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Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

The following is a comprehensive assessment of the Nikon D3000 and Pentax K-S2, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the D3000 (10MP) and K-S2 (20MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The D3000 was brought out 6 years earlier than the K-S2 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the D3000 matches up vs the K-S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3000 over the Pentax K-S2

 D3000 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon D3000

 K-S2 D3000 
IntroducedFebruary 2015December 2009Newer by 62 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3000 and Pentax K-S2

 D3000 K-S2 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D3000 enjoys outer 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) and the Pentax K-S2 has proportions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3000 and Pentax K-S2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the D3000 compared to the K-S2.

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3000 and K-S2 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions only by checking out technical specs. The picture below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the D3000 and K-S2.

As you have seen, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Pentax K-S2 to produce extra detail having its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged D3000 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3000 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography info
54
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
78
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Street photography camera
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
72
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competitors in class (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3000
Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
39
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
terrible battery power (500 shots)
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Travel photography camera
45
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (500 shots)
megapixel count low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
environment proofing
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
heavier than competitors in class (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3000 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Landscape photography camera
52
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery power (500 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
77
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3000 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging info
9
can't shoot video
71
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (678 grams)
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Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3000 and Pentax K-S2
 Nikon D3000Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3000 Pentax K-S2
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-12-11 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed PRIME MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Highest boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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 on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 536g (1.18 lbs) 678g (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 126 x 97 x 64mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 62 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 563 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 410 pictures
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 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $0 $581