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Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Nikon D3500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 365g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced August 2018
  • Superseded the Nikon D3400
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
  • Announced November 2013
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Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here is a extensive assessment of the Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and K-500 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3500 was introduced 4 years later than the K-500 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the D3500 scores vs the K-500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Pentax K-500

 D3500 K-500 
AnnouncedAugust 2018November 2013Fresher by 58 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Nikon D3500

 K-500 D3500 

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-500

 D3500 K-500 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3500 comes with external dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the D3500 versus the K-500.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D3500 and K-500 is 72 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D3500 and K-500.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon D3500 to offer greater detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The younger D3500 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Portrait photography camera
81
manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
74
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D3500
Street photography with Pentax K-500
69
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (365 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
above average ISO range (51,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Sports photography highlights
70
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
good battery life (1,550 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
good battery (710 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3500 Travel photography details
Pentax K-500 Travel photography details
71
good battery life (1,550 CIPA)
lighter than competition (365 grams)
supports bluetooth
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
67
good battery (710 shots)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3500
Landscape photography with Pentax K-500
75
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (1,550 per charge)
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
good battery (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
31
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (365g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of mic support
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone socket
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Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-500
 Nikon D3500Pentax K-500
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3500 Pentax K-500
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2018-08-29 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 measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 51600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD 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 0.56x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 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 (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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365 gr (0.80 pounds) 646 gr (1.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 1550 photos 710 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID EN-EL14a 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $397 $600