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Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
70
Imaging
67
Features
70
Overall
68
Nikon D3400 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Nikon D3400
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 395g - 124 x 98 x 76mm
  • Announced August 2016
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3300
  • Successor is Nikon D3500
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
  • Released February 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-S1
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Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Let's look closer at the Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D3400 (24MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D3400 was brought out 19 months later than the K-S2 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the D3400 matches up vs the K-S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3400 over the Pentax K-S2

 D3400 K-S2 
ReleasedAugust 2016February 2015Fresher by 19 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon D3400

 K-S2 D3400 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3400 and Pentax K-S2

 D3400 K-S2 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Display resolution921k921kExact same display resolution
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D3400 has got outside dimensions of 124mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 395 grams (0.87 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the D3400 versus the K-S2.

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the D3400 and K-S2 is 70 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D3400 and K-S2.

As you have seen, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon D3400 to deliver greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The younger D3400 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3400 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography details
80
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
78
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D3400
Street photography with Pentax K-S2
68
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (395g)
great ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
72
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D3400
Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
69
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery pack (1,200 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (5.4 frames/s)
low battery (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3400 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Travel photography camera
69
better than average battery pack (1,200 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (395g)
supports bluetooth
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
65
weather proofing
megapixel count good (20MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
low battery (410 per charge)
heavier than competition (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3400 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography advice
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (1,200 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
low battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3400 Vlogging information
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging information
30
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (395 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic support
71
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic port
heavier than competition (678g)
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Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3400 and Pentax K-S2
 Nikon D3400Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3400 Pentax K-S2
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2016-08-17 2015-02-10
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 395g (0.87 pounds) 678g (1.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 86 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1192 not tested
Other
Battery life 1200 photos 410 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14a D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $397 $581