Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r

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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-r

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APS-C 355.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3100.

APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-r Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-r.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3200
Compare D3100 vs D3200
Compare Nikon D3200 vs Pentax K-r

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Differences

Nikon D3100 advantages over Pentax K-r

Less expensive
$700 vs $850 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D3100 test data on DxO Mark K-r test data on DxO Mark

919 vs 750 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-r advantages over Nikon D3100

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
5.6 fps vs 2.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3100 Full Review

Read our Pentax K-r Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A380

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-r

Sony DSLR-A380

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K-r vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Nikon D3000

Nikon D3100

Nikon D3000

$700
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D3000

Pentax K-r

Nikon D3000

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$450
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Pentax K-r vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Pentax K-x

Nikon D3100

Pentax K-x

$700
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$702
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More dynamic range

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

Compare Pentax K-r vs Pentax K-x

Compared to Sony A33

Nikon D3100

Sony A33

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$540
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Sony A33

Pentax K-r

Sony A33

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$540
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-r vs Sony A33

Compared to Nikon D5100

Nikon D3100

Nikon D5100

$700
APS-C

Less expensive

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D5100

Pentax K-r

Nikon D5100

$850
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-r vs Nikon D5100

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