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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Previous Model is Nikon D3000
  • Newer Model is Nikon D3200
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Revealed December 2009
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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Below is a extensive assessment of the Nikon D3100 versus Pentax K-x, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D3100 (14MP) and the K-x (12MP) is fairly similar and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3100 was announced 13 months later than the K-x making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a short view of how the D3100 grades versus the K-x in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Pentax K-x

 D3100 K-x 
RevealedDecember 2010December 2009More recent by 13 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Nikon D3100

 K-x D3100 

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-x

 D3100 K-x 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon D3100 features exterior dimensions of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") with a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) and the Pentax K-x has sizing of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D3100 versus Pentax K-x in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the D3100 vs the K-x.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and K-x is 68 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements only by going over technical specs. The photograph underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3100 and K-x.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should anticipate the Nikon D3100 to deliver more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The younger D3100 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW files
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-x Street photography highlights
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-x Sports photography factors
60
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (1,900 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Travel photography camera
58
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
54
great battery pack (1,900 shots)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3")
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D3100
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
27
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no external mic socket
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-x
 Nikon D3100Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D3100 Pentax K-x
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-12-21 2009-12-23
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 2 Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.1 x 15.4mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 355.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3072 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech 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
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 16.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200s 1/180s
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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505 grams (1.11 lbs) 580 grams (1.28 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 67 72
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 12.5
DXO Low light score 919 811
Other
Battery life 550 shots 1900 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL14 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $565 $600