Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-500
68 Imaging
54 Features
59 Overall
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64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 12800)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
- Launched December 2010
- Succeeded the Nikon D3000
- Later Model is Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 51600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Launched November 2013
Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-500 Overview
Following is a in-depth comparison of the Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is fairly similar and they use the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe D3100 was released 3 years earlier than the K-500 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the D3100 matches up versus the K-500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-500 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-500. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon D3100 Gallery and Pentax K-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Pentax K-500
D3100 | K-500 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Nikon D3100
K-500 | D3100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2013 | December 2010 | More modern by 35 months | |
Display resolution | 921k | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-500
D3100 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | Dial exact focusing | |||
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions | |
Selfie screen | Neither offers selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Missing Touch friendly display |
Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3100 offers outer measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).
Compare the Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the D3100 against the K-500.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3100 and K-500 is 68 and 64 respectively.
Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the D3100 and K-500.
As you can see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax K-500 to deliver more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged D3100 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.
Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications
Nikon D3100 | Pentax K-500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon D3100 | Pentax K-500 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2010-12-21 | 2013-11-27 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed 2 | PRIME M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.1 x 15.4mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 355.7mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 51600 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 12800 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | 1 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 309 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | 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 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames per sec | 6.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/200 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) | 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 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | 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 | Optional | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 505 grams (1.11 lb) | 646 grams (1.42 lb) |
Dimensions | 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 67 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.5 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.3 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 919 | 1087 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 550 photos | 710 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery ID | EN-EL14 | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $565 | $600 |