Clicky

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Succeeded the Nikon D3000
  • Successor is Nikon D3200
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Following is a complete assessment of the Nikon D3100 versus Pentax K-5 II, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the same sensor size (APS-C).

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

The D3100 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the K-5 II which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon D3100 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the D3100 matches up versus the K-5 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Pentax K-5 II

 D3100 K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Nikon D3100

 K-5 II D3100 
AnnouncedJune 2013December 2010More modern by 29 months
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-5 II

 D3100 K-5 II 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D3100 has got outer measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D3100 versus Pentax K-5 II in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the D3100 versus the K-5 II.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and K-5 II is 68 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes only by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and K-5 II.

To sum up, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Pentax K-5 II to offer you greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged D3100 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography info
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Street photography highlights
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography info
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography info
60
megapixel count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 Travel photography features
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography features
58
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not posses selfie friendly display
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography features
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging highlights
27
offers face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone socket
does not posses selfie friendly display
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-5 II
 Nikon D3100Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3100 Pentax K-5 II
Class Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-12-21 2013-06-04
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 2 Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.1 x 15.4mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 355.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3072 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 12800 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 505 gr (1.11 lb) 760 gr (1.68 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 82
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 14.1
DXO Low light rating 919 1235
Other
Battery life 550 photos 980 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14 D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $565 $830