• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Pentax K-30 advantages over Nikon J3

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 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 2.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 20.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,129 vs 420 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.0 vs 11.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 81 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/180 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J3 advantages over Pentax K-30

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1199 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    359g vs 1088g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 5.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-30

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.

  • We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon J3, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Pentax K-30
Nikon D7000
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Nikon J3
Nikon D7000
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon J1

Pentax K-30
Nikon J1
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon J3
Nikon J1
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dots on screen
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-30
Canon T4i
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon J3
Canon T4i
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon J2

Pentax K-30
Nikon J2
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon J3
Nikon J2
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to 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
Nikon J3
Pentax K-5 II
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
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