• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 27.00mm - 108.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon S4000 advantages over Pentax K-30

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $1199 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    20 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner

Pentax K-30 advantages over Nikon S4000

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S4000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-30
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
  • Kit with 18-55mm Lens
All K-30 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Pentaprism viewfinder is bright and accurate; Weather-sealed body can handle direct rain; Twin control dials make exposure control a snap; Solid build; Great image quality.

  • Lower resolution than some rivals; Not as small as recent Pentax entry-level and mid-range models; A couple of ergonomic and UI quirks; Shutter isn't the quietest; 18-55 kit lens isn't weather-sealed.

  • Read our Pentax K-30 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S3000

Nikon S4000
Nikon S3000
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon S4000 vs Nikon S3000

Pentax K-30
Nikon S3000
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Nikon S3000

Compared to Pentax RS1000

Nikon S4000
Pentax RS1000
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • $117
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon S4000 vs Pentax RS1000

Pentax K-30
Pentax RS1000
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $117
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Pentax RS1000

Compared to Nikon S4100

Nikon S4000
Nikon S4100
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon S4000 vs Nikon S4100

Pentax K-30
Nikon S4100
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Nikon S4100

Compared to Canon T4i

Nikon S4000
Canon T4i
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S4000 vs Canon T4i

Pentax K-30
Canon T4i
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Canon T4i

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Nikon S4000
Pentax K-5 II
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon S4000 vs Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-30
Pentax K-5 II
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 II

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