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Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Nikon D3500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 365g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed August 2018
  • Older Model is Nikon D3400
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Released March 2011
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Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-r, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and K-r (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D3500 was launched 7 years later than the K-r and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the D3500 matches up versus the K-r with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Pentax K-r

 D3500 K-r 
ReleasedAugust 2018March 2011Fresher by 91 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Nikon D3500

 K-r D3500 

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-r

 D3500 K-r 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Screen resolution921k921kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D3500 offers outer dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Pentax K-r has specifications of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

See the Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-r 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 that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the D3500 and the K-r.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D3500 and K-r is 72 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over technical specs. The photograph below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the D3500 and K-r.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Nikon D3500 to offer you more detail utilizing its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern D3500 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3500
Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
81
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 Street photography information
Pentax K-r Street photography information
69
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than average (365 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
70
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
great battery pack (1,550 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery life (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3500
Travel photography with Pentax K-r
71
great battery pack (1,550 CIPA)
lighter than average (365g)
connects via bluetooth
megapixel count decent (24MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
47
built-in flash
low battery life (470 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
75
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (1,550 shots)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery life (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging features
Pentax K-r Vlogging features
31
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (365g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-r
 Nikon D3500Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3500 Pentax K-r
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2018-08-29 2011-03-11
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 4 Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
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 - 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365 gr (0.80 pounds) 598 gr (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 755
Other
Battery life 1550 photos 470 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14a D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $397 $1,100