Here’s our Nikon D3400 vs Pentax K-S2 comparison. There’s a big price difference between these two, but if you’re in the market for a lightweight, powerful camera and can’t decide which one you really need, it’s not such an easy decision.
Our comparison table below covers all the important specifications of each camera. Below that, we specifically talk about the new improvements and which model is better suited for your needs.
Nikon D3400 Pentax K-S2 Megapixels 24.2 20.1 Sensor Type CMOS CMOS Sensor Format APS-C (DX) APS-C Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x AA Filter None On/Off Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 5472 x 3648 Body Image Stabilization No Yes Lens Mount Nikon FX/DX Pentax K ISO 100 - 25,600 100 - 51,200 Expanded ISO No No AF Points 11 11 Cross-type AF Points 1 9 Continuous Mode 5fps 5fps LCD 3.0" - Fixed 3.0" - Fully Articulated LCD Resolution 921,600 dots 921,600 dots Touchscreen No No Focus Peaking No Yes Top LCD Display No No Viewfinder Type Optical Optical Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100% Viewfinder Magnification 0.85x 0.95x Video Resolution 1920x1080 (60/50/30/25/24p) 1920x1080 (30/25/24p) 1280x720 (60/50p) 1280x720 (60/50p) Microphone Jack No Yes Headphone Jack No No Memory Card Type SD SD Dual Card Slots No No SD UHS Support UHS-I UHS-I Fastest Shutter Speed 1/4000 1/6000 Slowest Shutter Speed 30" 30" Bulb Mode Yes Yes JPEG Buffer Size 100 28 RAW Buffer Size 12 9 Time Lapse No Yes Built-in Flash Yes Yes Max Flash Sync Speed 1/200 1/180 Startup Time 0.5s 1.0s Built-in Wi-Fi No Yes Built-in GPS No No Built- in NFC No Yes Bluetooth Yes No USB Type USB 2.0 USB 2.0 Environmentally Sealed No Yes Battery Life (CIPA) 1200 shots 410 shots Battery Included Yes (EN-EL14a) Yes (D-LI109) Weight 15.17 oz (430g) 24.3 oz (688g) Size 4.9 x 3.9 x 3.0" 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.6" Price Amazon Amazon Release Date 2016 2015
Nikon D3400 Advantages:
- Megapixels – 4.1 more megapixels. It’s a small difference and you won’t notice it unless printing really big.
- AA Filter – The Nikon D3400 has no AA filter.
- JPEG Buffer Size – 100 vs 28. Useful for long bursts.
- RAW Buffer Size – 12 vs 9.
- Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/200 vs 1/180.
- Bluetooth Support
- Battery Life – 1200 shots vs 410 shots.
- Weight – The Nikon D3400 weighs 258g less.
The D3400’s biggest advantages are a lighter body, almost 3x longer battery life and bigger JPEG buffer if you mostly shoot sports, even though the 28 limit on the Pentax K-S2 is already more than enough for most people.
You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews.
Pentax K-S2 Advantages:
- Body Image Stabilization – It has body image stabilization.
- ISO – 51,200 vs 25,600. Higher maximum ISO sensitivity.
- Cross-Type AF Points – 9 vs 1. Cross-type AF points are much more accurate and faster in low light.
- LCD – It’s fully articulated.
- Focus Peaking – Very useful for seeing if your subject is in focus (both photo and video).
- Viewfinder Coverage – 100% vs 95%.
- Viewfinder Magnification – Higher magnification.
- Microphone Jack – If you’re going to record videos where audio quality is important, a microphone jack is super helpful.
- Faster Max Shutter Speed – 1/6000 vs 1/4000.
- Time-Lapse
- Built-in Wi-FI
- Built-in NFC
- Environmentally Sealed – The Pentax K-S2 is much more protected for shooting outdoors in difficult terrain and bad weather conditions.
Both cameras cost nearly the same, but the K-S offers quite a lot more. First, the built-in body stabilization is a huge advantage because it stabilizes your images even if your lens has no IS. It’s got 9 cross-type points compared to 1, making it more accurate in low light, then there’s the articulating LCD, microphone jack, 100% viewfinder coverage, built-in Wi-Fi and slightly faster max shutter speed. It may not sound that important, but when shooting on a bright day with big apertures, 1/4000 may not always be fast enough.
You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews.
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