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Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
67
Imaging
63
Features
63
Overall
63
Nikon D3200 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Nikon D3200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 125 x 96 x 77mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Previous Model is Nikon D3100
  • Replacement is Nikon D3300
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
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Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here is a in depth assessment of the Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the D3200 (24MP) and K-500 (16MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3200 was launched 16 months earlier than the K-500 which makes them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the D3200 matches up against the K-500 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3200 over the Pentax K-500

 D3200 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Nikon D3200

 K-500 D3200 
IntroducedNovember 2013July 2012Fresher by 16 months

Common features in the Nikon D3200 and Pentax K-500

 D3200 K-500 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3200 has got outer dimensions of 125mm x 96mm x 77mm (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") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the D3200 vs the K-500.

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3200 and K-500 is 67 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading a spec sheet. The graphic below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3200 and K-500.

As you can see, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon D3200 to deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older D3200 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3200
Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
77
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3200 Street photography info
Pentax K-500 Street photography info
59
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
above average ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3200 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
64
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (710 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3200
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
59
good megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
67
better than average battery pack (710 CIPA)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3200 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography details
69
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3")
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3200 Vlogging info
Pentax K-500 Vlogging info
27
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have external microphone socket
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
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Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3200 and Pentax K-500
 Nikon D3200Pentax K-500
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D3200 Pentax K-500
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2012-07-25 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.2 x 15.4mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 357.3mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 51600
Highest enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD with 160� viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional 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 505g (1.11 lbs) 646g (1.42 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 96 x 77mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 81 79
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 13.2 13.1
DXO Low light score 1131 1087
Other
Battery life 540 photos 710 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model EN-EL14 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $530 $600