Nikon D3400 vs Pentax KP

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D3400 vs Pentax KP

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

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3400 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D3400 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D3400.
Compare Nikon D3400 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D3400 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

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

Succeeded by the Nikon D3500
Compare D3400 vs D3500
Compare Nikon D3500 vs Pentax KP

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Differences

Nikon D3400 advantages over Pentax KP

Less expensive
$497 vs $999*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.4 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

1200 vs 390 shots
Capture more photos
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 35 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax KP advantages over Nikon D3400

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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
25 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.20 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
More AF points
27 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/24000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
819200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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 D3400 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D3400

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm & 70-300mm Lenses (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm Lens (Red)

All D3400 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax KP

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

Review Excerpt

Compact DSLR camera body; Excellent image quality; Reliable single-shot autofocus; Good continuous JPEG shooting performance; New kit lens has improved AF; Great value at current prices.
SnapBridge is slow and limited; Poor continuous autofocus; No built-in Wi-Fi; Mediocre video features.
Read our Nikon D3400 Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D3400

Canon T6i

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Canon T6i

Pentax KP

Canon T6i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T6i

Compared to Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400

Nikon D5500

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$597
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Nikon D5500

Pentax KP

Nikon D5500

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Nikon D5600

Nikon D3400

Nikon D5600

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$1065
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1065
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Nikon D3400

Canon T7i

$497
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Canon T7i

Pentax KP

Canon T7i

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D3400

Canon SL2

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D3400 vs Canon SL2

Pentax KP

Canon SL2

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon SL2

Compare Other Cameras?