Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-500 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Nikon D3300
55
WINNER
|
Pentax · DSLR · 16.28 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-500
54
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D3300 and the Pentax K-500 are both DSLRs. The D3300 arrived in 2014, a year after the K-500's 2013 release. The D3300 is the lighter carry at 430 g, and the K-500's 646 g is roughly 50 percent heavier. The bodies stay close in size, at 124 x 98 x 76 mm for the Nikon and 130 x 97 x 71 mm for the Pentax. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 7, 2014 | June 12, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 124 x 98 x 76 mm | 130 x 97 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 430 g | 646 g |
| Optics | 64/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe D3300 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 24.2 megapixels against 16.28 on the K-500. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors and have 11 autofocus points, so focus coverage is the same. The K-500 counters with in-body stabilisation, which steadies handheld shots with any lens you mount, while the D3300 relies on stabilised lenses. It offers 6 fps shooting against 5 fps on the Nikon. Its 1/6000 second top shutter gives a shorter exposure than the D3300's 1/4000 in bright light. Each camera takes only its own native lenses, in Nikon F DX and Pentax KAF mounts. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 16.28 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 4928 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
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. |
15.4 x 23.2 | 15.7 x 23.7 |
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. |
5 fps045 | 6 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. |
Expeed 4 | Prime M |
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 | 10030200 |
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. |
128003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
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. |
256003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
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. |
400080032000 | 600080032000 |
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 (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe D3300 is the better choice for slow-motion editing, with a 60 fps maximum frame rate against 30 fps on the K-500, letting you slow footage to half speed. Both share the same Full HD maximum video resolution. The K-500 offers a built-in timelapse function the D3300 lacks, so interval shooting is set up entirely in-camera. Files come out as MOV on the Nikon and MPEG-4 on the Pentax, an editing-workflow difference rather than a shooting one. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
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. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
60 fps | 30 fps |
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. |
No |  Yes |
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. |
MOV | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe K-500 offers built-in Wi-Fi for wireless transfer to a phone or tablet, which the D3300 does not match. Both include a pop-up flash and a hot shoe for an external flash, handy for indoor portraits. Each camera has a 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots for reviewing focus and detail after a shot. Neither screen offers touch control or tilting, and both lack GPS and weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | 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 | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 32/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryA shared card format means your SD, SDHC or SDXC cards work in either body. Rated battery life is nearly identical at 700 shots for the D3300 and 710 for the K-500. The battery type is the practical split. The D3300 uses a rechargeable EN-EL14a pack, while the K-500 runs on four AA batteries you can replace almost anywhere. Neither camera charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL14a | 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. |
700 shots1505000 | 710 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon D3300 if resolution and video flexibility matter most. Its 24.2 megapixels leave more room to crop wildlife or print large, and its 60 fps maximum frame rate suits half-speed slow motion in editing.
Choose the Pentax K-500 if handheld shooting with unstabilised lenses is your priority, since its stabilisation works with every KAF lens you mount. Built-in timelapse, Wi-Fi transfer and a faster 1/6000 second shutter add further versatility.