Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D3500

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D3500

Leave Feedback

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-70 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-70 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-70.
Compare Pentax K-70 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-70 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3500.
Compare Nikon D3500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3500 conclusion.

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-70 advantages over Nikon D3500

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 83 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
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
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.57x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
6.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
6.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D3500 advantages over Pentax K-70

Less expensive
$597 vs $797
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

1550 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
Lighter weight
615g vs 1122g
Lighter weight
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 47 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
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

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-70 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3500 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-70

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-135mm Lens (Silver)

All K-70 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3500

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens

Kit with 18-55mm VR lens
Kit with 18-55mm VR and 70-300mm lenses

All D3500 Deals

Review Excerpt

Huge bang for the buck; Great image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast autofocus; Good burst frame rate with deep buffer; Pentaprism viewfinder; Twin control dials; Articulated LCD; Comprehensive weather-sealing and freeze-proofing; Unbelievable wealth of rare to unique (yet very useful) features
Wi-Fi wireless communication is slow, clumsy and unintuitive; Video autofocus is prone to hunting or racking focus; Slow buffer clearing; Rather heavy for an entry-level DSLR; Autofocus and metering systems are a bit dated; Below average battery life
Read our Pentax K-70 Review

Great image quality for its class; Excellent high ISO performance for APS-C; Fast single-shot AF speeds; Compact, easy to use design; Incredible value at under $500 with lens.
11-point AF system feels out-dated; Underwhelming C-AF performance; Below average viewfinder coverage accuracy; No touchscreen; Limited wireless features.
Read our Nikon D3500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6s

Pentax K-70

Canon T6s

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Touchscreen
NFC

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon T6s

Nikon D3500

Canon T6s

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$619
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon T6s

Compared to Canon 77D

Pentax K-70

Canon 77D

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$550
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon 77D

Nikon D3500

Canon 77D

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$550
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon 77D

Compared to Nikon D7500

Pentax K-70

Nikon D7500

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$864
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Nikon D7500

Nikon D3500

Nikon D7500

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$864
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Nikon D7500

Compared to Canon SL2

Pentax K-70

Canon SL2

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Canon SL3

Pentax K-70

Canon SL3

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$624
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-70 vs Canon SL3

Nikon D3500

Canon SL3

$623
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$624
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3500 vs Canon SL3

Compare Other Cameras?