Nikon
D3100
 vs
Pentax
K-x

Updated (April, 2012): Compare the Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-x

Pentax K-x

70
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 camera has a deep, contoured handgrip on the right-hand side, coated in a rubberized compound to aid grip, that enabled me to use three fingers to hold it and my right forefinger to operate the shutter button."
photographyblog.com | talking about the K-x's feel

Reasons to buy the Pentax K-x

Color depth
 Great color depth
22.8 bits
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
Nikon D3100

54
Runner-up

Nikon D3100
"The D3100 offers little to complain about in terms of image quality, and its new 14Mp sensor delivers very good results."
dpreview.com | talking about the D3100's image-quality
"It's almost impossible to pick up without your hand falling into a sensible position with the key controls at your fingertips."
dpreview.com | talking about the D3100's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Nikon D3100

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 24fps
Screen size
 Large screen
3.0"
Supports 24p
 24p movies
For that film look
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Badge
 Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection

differences

Advantages of the Nikon D3100
Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
 More than 10% larger screen
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 919 ISO vs 811 ISO
Help
 The D3100 has a slight edge (0.2 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 169 lenses vs 90 lenses
Help
 Around 90% more lenses available
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
 Automatically focuses shooting video
True resolution Higher true resolution 14.2 MP vs 12.2 MP
Help
 Capture around 20% more detail in your photos
Battery life Longer battery life 550 shots vs 420 shots
Help
 More than 30% more shots per battery charge
Startup delay Less startup delay 400 ms vs 600 ms
Help
 More than 30% less delay when turning on
Weight Lighter 505 g vs 580 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Lowest price Cheaper $499.99 vs $674.92
Help
 The best price we've seen is $175 cheaper (around 30% less)
Nikon D3100 Learn more about
the Nikon D3100

Advantages of the Pentax K-x
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.5 EV vs 11.3 EV
Help
 1.2 f-stops more dynamic range
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 279 ms
Help
 2.9x less delay when taking photos
Overall image quality Better image quality 72.0 vs 67.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
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
Viewfinder size Larger viewfinder 0.56x vs 0.51x
Help
 Around 20% larger viewfinder
Color depth Better color depth 22.8 bits vs 22.5 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.3 more bits of color
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 4.7 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 Around 60% faster continuous shooting
Lens focus motor Has a built-in focus motor Yes vs No
Help
 Autofocuses with all autofocus lenses
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The K-x's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs APS-C 23.1x15.4mm
Help
 Almost the same
Size Smaller 123x92x68 mm vs 124x96x73 mm
Help
 More than 10% smaller
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 96% vs 95%
Help
 Almost the same
Thickness Thinner 2.7" vs 2.9"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
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 D3100 Nikon D3100
54 vs 70
Explain scores
Pentax K-x Pentax K-x
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Pentax K-x.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!
I am considering either the Nikon D3100 or the Pentax K-x,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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similarities

Compared to recent entry-level DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Size Fairly small Help
D3100:124x96x73 mm
K-x:123x92x68 mm
Thickness Thin Help
D3100:2.9"
K-x:2.7"
Storage slots Fewer storage slots Help
1
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
230k dots
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
D3100:3,200 ISO
K-x:6,400 ISO
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
D3100:14.2 MP
K-x:12.2 MP
Weather sealed Neither is weather sealed Help
Need to shelter it from weather

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 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 D3100
Compare the D5100 vs the K-x
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the D3100
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the K-x
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the D3100
Compare the Rebel T2i vs the K-x
Nikon D3200

Nikon D3200

Entry-level DSLR

$699 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes much higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3200 vs the D3100
Compare the D3200 vs the K-x
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the D3100
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the K-x
Nikon D90

Nikon D90

Entry-level DSLR

$897 body only

$1,047 with 55-200mm lens
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Viewfinder size Slightly larger viewfinder
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the D90 vs the D3100
Compare the D90 vs the K-x
Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000

Entry-level DSLR

$449 with 18-55mm lens
Thickness Is thinner
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
Compare the D3000 vs the D3100
Compare the D3000 vs the K-x

Nikon D3100 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Nikon D3100.

Pentax K-x Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax K-5

Pentax K-5

Entry-level DSLR

$888 - $1,129 body only

$1,033 - $1,283 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 D3100 Pentax K-x
Nikon D3100 Pentax K-x
Nikon D3100 Pentax K-x

discussion

Showing 7 comments

P Saha79 (9:05 PM, June 03, 2011)
Hello,I want to buy  DSLR  by which I can shoot long period of time.Idon't need viedo on dslr,just need good image,flexible lences and produce creativity.Which one better nikon 3100.canon 500d or pentax x?
 
Bpl1000 (0:14 PM, May 22, 2011)
 Interesting that Snapshot should factor in "popularity" into its score. Looking at the scoring page, the scoring is skewed considering Nikon is a hugely much more popular brand then Pentax. Not questioning the validity of using "popularity" but if you start comparing the categories, it's pretty clear that this is over weighted.

Don't own either cameras, just my observation.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (8:41 PM, March 28, 2011)
Hi Kelly, I don't think the shutter lag should scare you, both are really fast!

Both the D3100 and K-x are top notch cameras for their price range, I think you'd be happy with either. If you want to shoot video however I'd recommend the D3100 because it can autofocus while shooting video, the K-x can't.

I'd suggest you look at our Nikon D3100 videos and Pentax K-x videos, we have a few sample videos and hands-on video reviews so you can learn more about each.
 
Avatar for Kelly_E Kelly_E (7:37 PM, March 28, 2011)
Please help!!! I am trying to decide between the Nikon D3100 and the Pentax k-x. This will be my first DSLR and I can't decide. I have found both cameras within $20. The shutter lag scares me on the Nikon (Should that not be a concern?) P.S. This is a great website!
 
Rob-dekker (2:30 AM, March 26, 2011)
Greetings,

Understandable reaction Keith, but when I looked at this website before making my choice, I understood that there are different cameras for different reasons. I had the same requirements as you and wanted the camera which took the best photos, not weight, size, flip out screens blah blah etc etc. So I looked at where the rubber meets the road and came to the same conclusion.
I ignored the overall score and saw that the Pentax was the the better camera for taking photographs, not gadgets and measurements. I got rid of my canon's because in the entry level and mid range, Pentax have quite simply produced cameras that just take the best photo's and value for money and I wanted dynamic range, colour and low light ability.
I 'salute' this website and refer people to it all the time, because when you read into whats important, you come away with whats right for you.

For that reason i recently purchased a pentax X-90 to compliment my Pentax DSLR. Not because I wear pentax underwear to bed, but simply because it ticked the boxes, like super close macro, good long lens, excellent flash results, panorama mode, a few good filters and post process abilities and a basic all round family snapper.

When you talk to people about which camera they want, you must find out the criteria in steps of importance....some people prefer lighter weight, easier to understand systems, flip out screens and movie quality etc, so I would steer them away from penax and towards Canon, Sony or panasonic.

Its Horses for courses.........well done Snapsort, this site is a gem
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:26 PM, March 12, 2011)
Hi Keith, Snapsort provides a score page explaining how it scores each camera, so you can see exactly what is going on.

In its comparisons the site identifies advantages for each camera, and tries to give an overall recommendation, but there is no way the overall recommendation is right for everyone! The site provides all the details so hopefully you can figure out what is important to you and make your own decision.

If you have more ideas or critiques we'd love to hear them at our support community, thanks!
 
Keith (5:33 AM, March 12, 2011)
its really funny
but not fair ;)
please compare canon 7d with nikon d90 and write the advantages nikon d90 on canon 7d
and after that compare canon 7d with pentax k-x and compare and see the same advantages on canon 7d but nikon d90 79 point pentax much more less
and compare nikon 3100 with pentax k x almost in every way pentax k x better than nikon 3100 but u reccomend nikon 3100 against pentax k x ?
its like a bad joke
what makes a photo good? color depth? image quality ? dynamic range? these are all most pentax cameras better than nikon and canon but rating of pentax unfairly very low
i have a question for u
more lenses available what are these lenses ? IS lenses?the lenses that u can use autofocus on cameras? pentax doesnt need IS lenses cost more money cuz SR on the body and nikon doesnt use all its lenses with autofocus also and both canon and nikon dont use all lenses u wrote there cuz of different mount they use
but u can use all ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL pentax lenses(also from 1980s) with ur all digital pentax SLRs with no adapter with SHAKE REDUCTİON
if u really wanna be more trustable camera review or comparing site plz be more fair