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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Replaced the Nikon D3000
  • Replacement is Nikon D3200
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the K-r (12MP) is very comparable and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3100 was unveiled 2 months prior to the K-r and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the D3100 grades against the K-r in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Pentax K-r

 D3100 K-r 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Nikon D3100

 K-r D3100 
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-r

 D3100 K-r 
AnnouncedDecember 2010March 2011Same age
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D3100 features outside dimensions of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the D3100 vs the K-r.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3100 and K-r is 68 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3100 and K-r.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Nikon D3100 to produce more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos much more aggressively.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
72
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
63
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
58
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-r Sports photography factors
60
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect AF
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 Travel photography info
Pentax K-r Travel photography info
58
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
47
flash built-in
not so great battery life (470 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-r Landscape photography factors
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery life (470 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging info
Pentax K-r Vlogging info
27
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic port
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-r
 Nikon D3100Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D3100 Pentax K-r
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2010-12-21 2011-03-11
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 2 Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.1 x 15.4mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 355.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3072 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD monitor TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
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 modes Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505 gr (1.11 lb) 598 gr (1.32 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 67 72
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 12.4
DXO Low light score 919 755
Other
Battery life 550 photos 470 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $565 $1,100