Nikon D2Xs vs Pentax KM — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.2 MP · APS-C
Nikon D2Xs
36
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Pentax KM
41
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D2Xs and the Pentax KM are both APS-C DSLRs. The D2Xs arrived in 2006 as a large body, measuring 158 x 150 x 86 mm and weighing 1200 g. The KM followed in 2008 at 123 x 92 x 68 mm and 590 g, roughly half the weight. The KM's smaller and lighter build makes it the easier camera to pack, and it suits travel and everyday shooting. Each ties you to its native lens system, Nikon F DX or Pentax KAF, so your lens choice follows the body. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 1, 2006 | September 22, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 158 x 150 x 86 mm | 123 x 92 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 1200 g | 590 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D2Xs is the stronger choice for fast action. It shoots at 8 fps against 3.5 fps on the KM, and its 1/8000 second top shutter speed is half the duration of the KM's 1/4000 second, which helps freeze sports and wide-aperture daylight scenes. It also gives you 12.2 megapixels instead of 10.2, leaving a little more room to crop. For handheld work the KM has its own advantage: in-body stabilisation, which the D2Xs lacks, steadies every lens you mount. Its standard ISO range also reaches 3200 rather than 800. The D2Xs matches that figure only in its expanded range. The two share an APS-C sensor format and 11 autofocus points each. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.2 MP050 | 10.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4288 x 2848 | 3872 x 2592 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
16 x 24 | 16 x 24 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
8 fps045 | 3.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Nikon Image processing engine | Prime |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 12530200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
8003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so motion clips are out for both. The D2Xs offers a built-in interval feature for assembling frame sequences into a time-lapse later, while the KM does not. That points to the Nikon if time-lapse matters. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 17/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe KM is the more convenient camera when you travel light, because it carries a built-in flash for quick fill light without any accessory. The D2Xs relies entirely on an external flash unit, which both accept. The KM's rear screen is also slightly larger at 2.7 inches against 2.5 inches. Beyond that, their feature sets are similar in specific ways. Both use LCD screens without touch control, flipping or live view, and neither offers WiFi, Bluetooth or GPS, so wireless transfer and geotagging are unavailable on either body. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2350001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 51/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe D2Xs has the longer rated battery life, at 2000 shots against 1800 shots for the KM. It stores images on CompactFlash Type I or II cards, while the KM takes SD and SDHC, so your card drawer matters when choosing. The KM runs on four AA cells, which you can replace almost anywhere on a long trip, while the D2Xs uses its EN-EL4a pack. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need a separate charger or fresh cells. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL4a | 4 x AA batteries |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2000 shots1505000 | 1800 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D2Xs if you shoot sports, wildlife or any fast-moving subject. Its 8 fps burst, 1/8000 second shutter and built-in time-lapse support that work, and its rated 2000-shot battery life leads here too.
Choose the Pentax KM for travel, family and handheld shooting in dim interiors. It stabilises every lens in the body, offers a standard ISO ceiling of 3200, and includes a built-in flash, at 590 g with swappable AA batteries. The Nikon F DX and Pentax KAF mounts also mean your existing lenses may settle the choice.