Nikon
D3000
 vs
Pentax
K-x

Updated (August, 2010): Compare the Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x

Pentax K-x

71
Winner

Pentax K-x
"Image stabilisation via the camera body is a great feature that works very well when hand-holding the camera in low-light conditions."
photographyblog.com | talking about the K-x's image-stabilization
"The 12.4 megapixel JPEG images were a little soft straight out of the camera at the default sharpening setting"
photographyblog.com | talking about the K-x's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Pentax K-x

Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12.5 EV
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Supports 24p
 24p movies
For that film look
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
HDR
 In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Shutter lag
 Barely any delay taking photos
97 ms shutter lag
Nikon D3000

33
Runner-up

Nikon D3000
"User-friendly ergonomics, without sacrificing control"
dpreview.com | talking about the D3000's button-layout
"The Nikon D40 was a groundbreaking camera, not only for Nikon, but for the entire entry-level sector of the DSLR market"
dpreview.com | talking about the D3000's overall-performance

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3000

Screen size
 Large screen
3.0"
Sensor size
 Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Badge
 Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
Size
 Really small
Prosumer size 126x97x64 mm
Supports RAW
 Shoots RAW
Better editing
Interchangeable lenses
 Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3000
Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
 More than 10% larger screen
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 90 lenses
Help
 Around 90% more lenses available
Battery life Longer battery life 550 shots vs 420 shots
Help
 More than 30% more shots per battery charge
Thickness Thinner 2.5" vs 2.7"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Weight Lighter 536 g vs 580 g
Help
 Around 10% lighter
Nikon D3000 Learn more about
the Nikon D3000

Advantages of the Pentax K-x
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 811 ISO vs 563 ISO
Help
 The K-x has a slight edge (0.5 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 72.0 vs 62.0
Help
 Around 20% better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 11.1 EV
Help
 1.4 f-stops more dynamic range
Live view Has live view Yes vs No
Help
 Preview your photos on the camera's screen before taking them
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Shutter lag Much less shutter lag 97 ms vs 262 ms
Help
 2.7x less delay when taking photos
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 24fps vs None
Help
 Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Cross type focus points Many more cross-type focus points 9 vs 1
Help
 Grab focus in difficult situations
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The K-x's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Color depth Better color depth 22.8 bits vs 22.3 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.5 more bits of color
Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor Yes vs No
Help
 Removes dust from the sensor automatically, avoiding spots in photos
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 4.7 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 Around 60% faster continuous shooting
True resolution Higher true resolution 12.2 MP vs 10 MP
Help
 Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.56x vs 0.52x
Help
 More than 10% larger viewfinder
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
 CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The K-x's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Startup delay Less startup delay 600 ms vs 700 ms
Help
 More than 10% less delay when turning on
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 96% vs 95%
Help
 Almost the same
Fastest shutter speed Significantly faster max shutter speed 1/6000s vs 1/4000s
Help
 More than 30% faster max shutter speed
Pentax K-x Learn more about
the Pentax K-x
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent entry-level DSLRs, and ignoring price

Nikon D3000 Nikon D3000
33 vs 71
Explain scores
Pentax K-x Pentax K-x
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Pentax K-x.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

NikonD3000
 Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-x
PentaxK-x
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
10
11
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
10
11
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
10
11
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
10
11
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
9
12
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
10
11
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Size Fairly small Help
D3000:126x97x64 mm
K-x:123x92x68 mm
Sensor size Large sensors Help
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Thickness Thin Help
D3000:2.5"
K-x:2.7"
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D3000:10 MP
K-x:12.2 MP
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
230k dots
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D3000:1,600 ISO
K-x:6,400 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3100 vs the D3000
Compare the D3100 vs the K-x
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$379 body only

$459 - $750 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Weight Is slightly lighter
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D3000
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the K-x
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Entry-level DSLR

$369 - $595 body only

$449 - $469 with 18-55mm lens
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Compare the EOS Digital Rebel XS vs the D3000
Compare the EOS Digital Rebel XS vs the K-x
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$499 - $949 body only

$569 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D3000
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the K-x
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$650 - $749 body only

$600 - $750 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5100 vs the D3000
Compare the D5100 vs the K-x
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$849 - $897 body only

$1,099 - $1,200 with 18-105mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D90 vs the D3000
Compare the D90 vs the K-x
Nikon D5000

Nikon D5000

Entry-level DSLR

$750 - $997 with 18-55mm lens
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D5000 vs the D3000
Compare the D5000 vs the K-x

Nikon D3000 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Coolpix P500

Nikon Coolpix P500

Super zoom

$319 - $350
Movie format Shoots movies
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Sensor size Much smaller sensor
Autofocus Slower autofocus
Compare the Coolpix P500 vs the D3000

Pentax K-x Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax K-r

Pentax K-r

Entry-level DSLR

$649 body only

$523 - $579 with 18-55mm lens
Screen size Much larger screen
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Supports 24p No 24p support
Low light performance Slightly more noise at high ISO
Compare the K-r vs the K-x
Pentax K-5

Pentax K-5

Entry-level DSLR

$1,029 - $1,500 body only

$1,349 - $1,650 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality
Supports 24p No 24p support
Size Larger
Compare the K-5 vs the K-x

appearance

Nikon D3000 Pentax K-x
Nikon D3000 Pentax K-x
Nikon D3000 Pentax K-x

Find similar cameras

Here are some links to help you find other cameras with similar features to both of these:

discussion Which do you think is better?

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