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Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
70
Imaging
68
Features
70
Overall
68
Nikon D3400 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Nikon D3400
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 395g - 124 x 98 x 76mm
  • Introduced August 2016
  • Old Model is Nikon D3300
  • Newer Model is Nikon D3500
Pentax K-500
(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
  • Released November 2013
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Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Nikon D3400 and Pentax K-500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the D3400 (24MP) and K-500 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D3400 was launched 2 years after the K-500 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the D3400 matches up vs the K-500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3400 over the Pentax K-500

 D3400 K-500 
ReleasedAugust 2016November 2013Newer by 34 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Nikon D3400

 K-500 D3400 

Common features in the Nikon D3400 and Pentax K-500

 D3400 K-500 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution921k921kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D3400 enjoys physical measurements of 124mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 395 grams (0.87 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D3400 and Pentax K-500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the D3400 compared to the K-500.

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the D3400 and K-500 is 70 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the D3400 and K-500.

As you can see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Nikon D3400 to offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer D3400 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3400 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography factors
80
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
74
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3400 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Street photography highlights
68
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors (395 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
above average ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3400 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-500 Sports photography advice
69
good MP (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery (1,200 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
good battery life (710 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3400 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Travel photography camera
70
great battery (1,200 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (395 grams)
supports bluetooth
good MP (24MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
67
good battery life (710 shots)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3400 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography highlights
75
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good MP (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (1,200 shots)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3400 Vlogging info
Pentax K-500 Vlogging info
30
provides face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (395g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic socket
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Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3400 and Pentax K-500
 Nikon D3400Pentax K-500
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D3400 Pentax K-500
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2016-08-17 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 51600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto slow sync, Auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Off, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain with slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 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 395g (0.87 pounds) 646g (1.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 86 79
DXO Color Depth score 24.8 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 13.1
DXO Low light score 1192 1087
Other
Battery life 1200 photographs 710 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery model EN-EL14a 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $397 $600