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Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
72
Imaging
69
Features
70
Overall
69
Nikon D3500 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Launched August 2018
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D3400
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Introduced December 2009
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Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-x Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-x, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the D3500 (24MP) and K-x (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3500 was brought out 8 years later than the K-x and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the D3500 grades vs the K-x in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Pentax K-x

 D3500 K-x 
IntroducedAugust 2018December 2009More recent by 106 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Nikon D3500

 K-x D3500 

Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-x

 D3500 K-x 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3500 features outer 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-x has measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

See the Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-x in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the D3500 vs the K-x.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3500 and K-x is 72 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the D3500 and K-x.

Clearly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Nikon D3500 to show more detail having its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The newer D3500 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3500 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
81
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
63
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3500 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-x Street photography highlights
69
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors (365 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3500 Sports photography features
Pentax K-x Sports photography features
70
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (1,550 shots)
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery pack (1,900 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D3500
Travel photography with Pentax K-x
71
better than average battery pack (1,550 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (365 grams)
has bluetooth
megapixel count decent (24MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
54
great battery pack (1,900 shots)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3500 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-x Landscape photography features
75
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (1,550 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (1,900 per charge)
screen is small (2.7")
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 Vlogging info
Pentax K-x Vlogging info
31
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (365 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone jack
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
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Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-x
 Nikon D3500Pentax K-x
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3500 Pentax K-x
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2018-08-29 2009-12-23
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4 Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 16.00 m
Flash options 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, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 365g (0.80 pounds) 580g (1.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 811
Other
Battery life 1550 shots 1900 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14a 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $397 $600