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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-3 III

The Nikon D3100 and the Pentax K-3 III are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in August 2010 and March 2021. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 14.2 megapixels, whereas the Pentax provides 25.6 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D3100
versus
Pentax K-3 III
Nikon D3100   Pentax K-3 III
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses Pentax K mount lenses
14.2 MP – APS-C sensor 25.6 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/24p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 100-3,200 (100 - 12,800) ISO 100-160,000
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 230k dots 3.2" LCD – 1620k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second 12 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
550 shots per battery charge800 shots per battery charge
124 x 96 x 75 mm, 505 g 135 x 104 x 74 mm, 820 g
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Check D3100 offers at
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Check K-3 III price at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D3100 and the Pentax K-3 III? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Nikon D3100 and the Pentax K-3 III. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The D3100 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the K-3 III is also available in two color-versions, but different ones (black, silver).

Size Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-3 III
Compare D3100 versus K-3 III top
Comparison D3100 or K-3 III rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax K-3 III is notably larger (18 percent) than the Nikon D3100. Moreover, the K-3 III is substantially heavier (62 percent) than the D3100. It is noteworthy in this context that the K-3 III is splash and dust-proof, while the D3100 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the D3100 gets 550 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL14 battery, while the K-3 III can take 800 images on a single charge of its Pentax D-LI90 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D3100 124 mm 96 mm 75 mm 505 g 550 n Aug 2010 US$ 599ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax K-3 III 135 mm 104 mm 74 mm 820 g 800 Y Mar 2021 US$ 1 999 amazon.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-H1 140 mm 97 mm 86 mm 673 g 310 Y Feb 2018 US$ 1 899ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D40 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 470 n Nov 2006 US$ 499ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D40X 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 520 n Mar 2007 US$ 729ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 US$ 629ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 US$ 599ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D3200 125 mm 96 mm 77 mm 505 g 540 n Apr 2012 US$ 599ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 US$ 749ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D5100 128 mm 97 mm 79 mm 560 g 660 n Apr 2011 US$ 749ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 US$ 1 499ebay.com
12.
 
Pentax K-3 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 560 Y Oct 2013 US$ 1 299ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax K-3 II 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 720 Y Apr 2015 US$ 1 099ebay.com
14.
 
Pentax K-70 126 mm 93 mm 74 mm 688 g 410 Y Jun 2016 US$ 649ebay.com
15.
 
Pentax KP 132 mm 101 mm 76 mm 703 g 390 Y Jan 2017 US$ 1 099ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-5N 111 mm 59 mm 38 mm 269 g 460 n Aug 2011 US$ 699ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-C3 110 mm 60 mm 33 mm 225 g 400 n Jun 2011 US$ 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The D3100 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 70 percent) than the K-3 III, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the K-3 III is 1 percent bigger. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-3 III sensor measures

With 25.6MP, the K-3 III offers a higher resolution than the D3100 (14.2MP), but the K-3 III has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.76μm versus 5.01μm for the D3100). Yet, the K-3 III is a much more recent model (by 10 years and 7 months) than the D3100, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the K-3 III has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Pentax K-3 III implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the K-3 III for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 31 x 20.6 inches or 78.6 x 52.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24.8 x 16.5 inches or 62.9 x 41.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.6 x 13.8 inches or 52.4 x 35 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D3100 are 23 x 15.4 inches or 58.5 x 39 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 12.3 inches or 46.8 x 31.2 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 10.2 inches or 39 x 26 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the D3100, the K-3 III has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (YESMP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Nikon D3100 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Pentax K-3 III are ISO 100 to ISO 160000 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D3100 versus K-3 III MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D3100 APS-C 14.2 4608 30721080/24p22.511.391967
2.
 
Pentax K-3 III APS-C 25.6 6192 41284K/30p24.213.7208385
3.
 
Fujifilm X-H1 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.013.3180682
4.
 
Nikon D40 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none21.011.056156
5.
 
Nikon D40X APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.411.451663
6.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
7.
 
Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.156362
8.
 
Nikon D3200 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/30p24.113.2113181
9.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
10.
 
Nikon D5100 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.513.6118380
11.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
12.
 
Pentax K-3 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.713.4121680
13.
 
Pentax K-3 II APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.613.6110680
14.
 
Pentax K-70 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i23.813.1163980
15.
 
Pentax KP APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.913.2169981
16.
 
Sony NEX-5N APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.612.7107977
17.
 
Sony NEX-C3 APS-C 16.0 4912 3264720/30p22.712.2108373
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the K-3 III provides a better video resolution than the D3100. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/24p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D3100 and the K-3 III are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the K-3 III offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D3100 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the K-3 III has a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.53x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon D3100, the Pentax K-3 III, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D3100optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Pentax K-3 IIIoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
3.
 
Fujifilm X-H13690 Y3.0 / 1040 full-flex Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n Y
4.
 
Nikon D40optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D40Xoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D3200optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D5100optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
12.
 
Pentax K-3optical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s Y Y
13.
 
Pentax K-3 IIoptical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s n Y
14.
 
Pentax K-70optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/6000s 6.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Pentax KPoptical n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/6000s 7.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony NEX-5Noptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
17.
 
Sony NEX-C3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D3100 has one, while the K-3 III does not. While the built-in flash of the D3100 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The Pentax K-3 III has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the D3100 and the K-3 III write their files to SDXC cards. The K-3 III features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D3100 only has one slot. The K-3 III supports UHS-II cards on its first slot and UHS-I on its second one, while the D3100 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D3100 and Pentax K-3 III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D3100Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Pentax K-3 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
3.
 
Fujifilm X-H1Ystereo / monoY-micro3.0Y--
4.
 
Nikon D40Y- / ----2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D40XY- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D3200Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D5100Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Pentax K-3Ymono / monoYYmini3.0---
13.
 
Pentax K-3 IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
14.
 
Pentax K-70Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
15.
 
Pentax KPYstereo / monoY--2.0Y--
16.
 
Sony NEX-5NYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
17.
 
Sony NEX-C3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---

It is notable that the K-3 III offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the D3100 does not provide wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Pentax K-3 III (unlike the D3100) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the K-3 III has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

The K-3 III is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Pentax. In contrast, the D3100 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D3100 was succeeded by the Nikon D3200. Further information on the features and operation of the D3100 and K-3 III can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D3100 Manual (free pdf) or the online Pentax K-3 III Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Nikon D3100 better than the Pentax K-3 III or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Reasons to prefer the Nikon D3100:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More compact: Is smaller (124x96mm vs 135x104mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 315g or 38 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (70 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2010).

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Arguments in favor of the Pentax K-3 III:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (25.6 vs 14.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 34%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/24p).
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.53x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1620k vs 230k dots).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (800 versus 550) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II and UHS-I) SDXC cards.
  • More modern: Reflects 10 years and 7 months of technical progress since the D3100 launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the K-3 III is the clear winner of the contest (26 : 6 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

D3100 06:26 K-3 III

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D3100 and the Pentax K-3 III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the D3100 and the K-3 III in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D31005/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2010 US$ 599ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax K-3 III4/5..3/5..4.5/5.. Mar 2021 US$ 1 999 amazon.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-H1..+5/586/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2018 US$ 1 899ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D40..81/100..+ +o4.5/5 Nov 2006 US$ 499ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D40X..79/100..+ +4/54/5 Mar 2007 US$ 729ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 US$ 629ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 US$ 599ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D32005/5+ +..73/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2012 US$ 599ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 US$ 749ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D51005/5+ +..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2011 US$ 749ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 US$ 1 499ebay.com
12.
 
Pentax K-34/5....83/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 US$ 1 299ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax K-3 II4.5/5......5/55/5 Apr 2015 US$ 1 099ebay.com
14.
 
Pentax K-704.5/5..4/579/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2016 US$ 649ebay.com
15.
 
Pentax KP4/5..3/582/1005/54.5/5 Jan 2017 US$ 1 099ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-5N3/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2011 US$ 699ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-C33/5+ +..74/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 US$ 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Check D3100 offers at
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Check K-3 III price at
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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-3 III

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Nikon D3100 Pentax K-3 III
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses Pentax K mount lenses
    Launch Date August 2010 March 2021
    Launch Price USD 599 USD 1,999
    Sensor Specs Nikon D3100 Pentax K-3 III
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.1 x 15.4 mm 23.3 x 15.5 mm
    Sensor Area 355.74 mm2 361.15 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 27.8 mm 28 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 14.2 Megapixels 25.6 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4608 x 3072 pixels 6192 x 4128 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.01 μm 3.76 μm
    Pixel Density 3.98 MP/cm2 7.08 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/24p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 3,200 ISO 100 - 160,000 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 12,800 ISO no Enhancement
    Image Processor EXPEED 2 PRIME V
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 67 ..
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.5 ..
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.3 ..
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 919 ..
    Screen Specs Nikon D3100 Pentax K-3 III
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.53x 0.70x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 1620k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Nikon D3100 Pentax K-3 III
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 12 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations200 000 actuations
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationLens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support no Single UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Nikon D3100 Pentax K-3 III
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.2
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Geotagging no internal GPS GPS built-in
    Body Specs Nikon D3100 Pentax K-3 III
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL14 Pentax D-LI90
    Battery Life (CIPA)550 shots per charge800 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 124 x 96 x 75 mm
    (4.9 x 3.8 x 3.0 in)
    135 x 104 x 74 mm
    (5.3 x 4.1 x 2.9 in)
    Camera Weight 505 g (17.8 oz) 820 g (28.9 oz)
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