Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX3000

Cameras
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Pentax K-5 vs Samsung NX3000

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-5.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX3000.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5 II
Compare K-5 vs K-5 II

Succeeded by the Samsung NX3300
Compare NX3000 vs NX3300

Compare PENTAX K-5 II vs SAMSUNG NX3300

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Samsung NX3000

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
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
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

740 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher-res screen
307k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.30 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
6.5 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
31 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.5 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
23 vs 4 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Pentax K-5

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Thinner
39 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
385g vs 1003g
Lighter weight
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX3000 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-5

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-5 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX3000

Kit with 20-50mm Lens

Kit with 20-50mm Lens
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

All NX3000 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent high ISO performance, one of the best APS-C sensors yet; 6.5 fps burst mode has very good buffer depths; Weather, dust, and cold resistant; In-body Shake Reduction corrects not only horizontal / vertical, but also rotational motion.
Default saturation and contrast a bit high; Auto white balance too warm in tungsten light; Fewer AF points than main competitors; Only a single card slot, and no UHS-I card support (slow buffer clearing).
Read our Pentax K-5 Full Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Samsung NX3000, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Samsung NX3000 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5

Canon T3i

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon T3i

Samsung NX3000

Canon T3i

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

$549
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Canon T3i

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-5

Nikon D5100

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Top deck display

$650
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D5100

Samsung NX3000

Nikon D5100

$950
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Built-in Wi-Fi

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5

Pentax K-30

$800
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-30

Samsung NX3000

Pentax K-30

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$599
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Pentax K-5

Fujifilm X-M1

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

$993
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Samsung NX3000

Fujifilm X-M1

$950
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$993
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Fujifilm X-M1

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Pentax K-5

Canon EOS M3

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000

Canon EOS M3

$950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1049
APS-C

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Samsung NX3000 vs Canon EOS M3

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