• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 130.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon S4100 advantages over Pentax K-500

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner

Pentax K-500 advantages over Nikon S4100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 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 1.43 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 710 vs 190 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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

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Buy the Pentax K-500

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax RS1000

Nikon S4100
Pentax RS1000
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $117
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher extended ISO
Pentax K-500
Pentax RS1000
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $117
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon S3100

Nikon S4100
Nikon S3100
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • $140
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Pentax K-500
Nikon S3100
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $140
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Pentax RS1500

Nikon S4100
Pentax RS1500
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax K-500
Pentax RS1500
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A57

Nikon S4100
Sony A57
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Pentax K-500
Sony A57
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Nikon S4100
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $180
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-500
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Top deck display
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