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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3000
  • Successor is Nikon D3200
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-S1
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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-S2, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the D3100 (14MP) and K-S2 (20MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D3100 was manufactured 5 years prior to the K-S2 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a brief view of how the D3100 scores versus the K-S2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Pentax K-S2

 D3100 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon D3100

 K-S2 D3100 
IntroducedFebruary 2015December 2010Newer by 50 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-S2

 D3100 K-S2 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3100 features external dimensions of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the D3100 against the K-S2.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D3100 and K-S2 is 68 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specifications. The pic underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3100 and K-S2.

To sum up, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Pentax K-S2 to deliver greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged D3100 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography advice
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW files
78
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 Street photography information
Pentax K-S2 Street photography information
58
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
72
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than others in class (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography details
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography details
60
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
70
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
low battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 Travel photography details
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography details
58
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
65
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
low battery (410 shots)
heavier than others in class (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
low battery (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging info
27
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have microphone support
71
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic socket
heavier than others in class (678g)
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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-S2
 Nikon D3100Pentax K-S2
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3100 Pentax K-S2
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-12-21 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 2 PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.1 x 15.4mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 355.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3072 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 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 Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 505 grams (1.11 pounds) 678 grams (1.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 67 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 919 not tested
Other
Battery life 550 photos 410 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14 D-LI109
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $565 $581