pentax kr or nikon d3100

hards · 06-25-2011, 01:16 PM

hi everybody

i ve narrowed down my choice 2 those to camera

pentax kr

and

nikon d3100

and am so so so confused what to pick. since am going to do portraits . indoor , landscapes and rarely low light shots .

may be or maybe not those 2 cameras are not the right pick for my requirements
but i want to know which one is better for me in term of what i am going to use them for..

note :
i ve heard that the pentax kr can take so many old lenses and has great quality though am still confused,which is better for me

plz plz plz help me guys in picking my choice and give me reasons . and i would be grateful if u do .

thanks in advance
i look forward to hear reply from you .

stevbike · 06-25-2011, 01:42 PM

I would favour the K-r based on its use of older lenses. The camera itself is good quality. From what I have read from other users, they are for the most part very happy with it. Seeing you are posting on the Pentax forum site most of the replys will end up being for the K-r. Take a look at each model to give you a hands- on feel for each of the designs to see what model works best for you.

The final one you pick will depend on what features are important for you. Either one are a good camera designs with good reviews.

**Deimos** · 06-25-2011, 02:04 PM

The K-r hands down. I shopped the d3100 beforehand and came from a Nikon D60

The K-r has many advantages. The only benefit to the d3100 for me would be the AF in Tungsten, the K-r has an issue with that. Otherwise it is a fantastic camera and with built in AF and Antishake you can use many old lenses and get modern benefits

Tommot1965 · 06-25-2011, 02:13 PM

if a camera cant autofocus correctly..I wouldn't buy it if I were you....seems the KR has many issues in that area...dunno about the Nikon 3100...you need to read some review and search forums for 3100 issues.....if you search this forum..you will find many post on the KR front focus issues in low light..

if you could find a pentax KX..that might be a better option for you ..or a Nikon D90

sviro · 06-25-2011, 02:51 PM

I would go for K-r anytime again. Just would buy it from a store where I could test it for the ff issue. Not every K-r has this issue.

I bought D3100 before K-r and was pretty disappointed. Just try to hold the both cameras in your hand and will know why.

I wouldn't change the K-r even not for D90. My friend has it and we both agreed that the Pentax suits both of us better but he stays with his Nikon anyway so it's also a good option.

pxpaulx · 06-25-2011, 03:04 PM

If you do go for a Nikon, at least bump upto the D5100 - the output of the sensor in the D3100 is atrocious, ghastly, whatever bad word you can think of.

You might also want to look at the K-x, it is an older model but still kicking around if you look, and is still an excellent starter camera.

CP140 · 06-25-2011, 10:04 PM

Either camera will do a good job for you. FWIW, I recently jumped through the same mental hoops as you are going through now.

I'd suggest going to to the local camera store and playing with each of the two cameras and seeing which feels better in your hands. If you're planning on getting the camera with the kit lens, then play with the zoom and focus and see which feels better.

I picked the K-r because...
1) The front element doesn't rotate on focussing
2) It can use AA batteries in a pinch
3) The kit lens felt smoother
4) It was less expensive
5) It felt nicer in my hands

Regards

pxpaulx · 06-26-2011, 07:37 AM

CP140 - have you seen the o output of the d3100? The cabrera will function just fine, but it has terrible photos. There is no comparison with the Kr, which is 100 times a better camera based on actual photo output.

hards · 06-26-2011, 08:04 AM

pxpaulx - what camera are u talking about . do u mean that nikon d3100 is better than the kr ?

stanic · 06-26-2011, 08:21 AM

D3100 doesn`t have autobracketing...

pxpaulx · 06-26-2011, 08:31 AM

No, the D3100 is a brutally bad camera! As I previously said, if the OP is considering a Nikon as well, he should at least look at the D5100. The sensor output on the D3100 is just awful.

fey · 06-26-2011, 11:49 AM

I'd choose the K-r, and I'm not just saying it because I have one

My best friend chose the d3100, and she hasn't a clue of how to use it, LOL. I thought maybe I could help her out with it, but couldn't; it's too darn complex in terms of user interface.

Of course, it has a guide mode and bla bla bla which will ask you whether you want a 'blurry background' but that's not very practical once you learn to use it.

plus, the shutter of My K-r sounds very film-like, which I love. the d3100's sounds electronic.:/

northcoastgreg · 06-26-2011, 12:11 PM

I would generally avoid the Nikon entry level bodies: they don't have autofocus motors in them so they can only autofocus lens with AF motors in them (i.e., AF-S lenses). This limits your options for AF lenses that will autofocus with your body.

Nikon is a compelling system on the high end; but as an entry level option, they are the worst of the lot. Best options for entry level camera are either the Pentax k-x or k-r or one of the Canon rebels.

hards · 06-26-2011, 01:53 PM

for Kr users . i ve heard that the KR has dead issue . is that right ?

CP140 · 06-26-2011, 08:32 PM

PXPAULX,

I respect your opinion on the Nikon 3100. I have seen shots from the 3100 (a friend of mine has one) and I have the K-r. To be brutally honest, the differences between our shots in similar situations come down to the operator.

Each has it's strengths and each has it's weaknesses.

DP Review has reviews of both cameras and there doesn't seem to be that much in it one way or the other.

Nikon D3100 Review: 19. Conclusion: Digital Photography Review

Pentax K-r Review: 11. Conclusion & Samples: Digital Photography Review

Regards

06-25-2011, 01:16 PM	#1
hards New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	pentax kr or nikon d3100 hi everybody i ve narrowed down my choice 2 those to camera pentax kr and nikon d3100 and am so so so confused what to pick. since am going to do portraits . indoor , landscapes and rarely low light shots . may be or maybe not those 2 cameras are not the right pick for my requirements but i want to know which one is better for me in term of what i am going to use them for.. note : i ve heard that the pentax kr can take so many old lenses and has great quality though am still confused,which is better for me plz plz plz help me guys in picking my choice and give me reasons . and i would be grateful if u do . thanks in advance i look forward to hear reply from you .

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06-25-2011, 01:42 PM	#2
stevbike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newbury, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 268	I would favour the K-r based on its use of older lenses. The camera itself is good quality. From what I have read from other users, they are for the most part very happy with it. Seeing you are posting on the Pentax forum site most of the replys will end up being for the K-r. Take a look at each model to give you a hands- on feel for each of the designs to see what model works best for you. The final one you pick will depend on what features are important for you. Either one are a good camera designs with good reviews.

06-25-2011, 02:04 PM	#3
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777	The K-r hands down. I shopped the d3100 beforehand and came from a Nikon D60 The K-r has many advantages. The only benefit to the d3100 for me would be the AF in Tungsten, the K-r has an issue with that. Otherwise it is a fantastic camera and with built in AF and Antishake you can use many old lenses and get modern benefits

06-25-2011, 02:13 PM	#4
Tommot1965 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,026	if a camera cant autofocus correctly..I wouldn't buy it if I were you....seems the KR has many issues in that area...dunno about the Nikon 3100...you need to read some review and search forums for 3100 issues.....if you search this forum..you will find many post on the KR front focus issues in low light.. if you could find a pentax KX..that might be a better option for you ..or a Nikon D90

06-25-2011, 02:51 PM	#5
sviro Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bratislava Posts: 33	I would go for K-r anytime again. Just would buy it from a store where I could test it for the ff issue. Not every K-r has this issue. I bought D3100 before K-r and was pretty disappointed. Just try to hold the both cameras in your hand and will know why. I wouldn't change the K-r even not for D90. My friend has it and we both agreed that the Pentax suits both of us better but he stays with his Nikon anyway so it's also a good option.

06-25-2011, 03:04 PM	#6
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	If you do go for a Nikon, at least bump upto the D5100 - the output of the sensor in the D3100 is atrocious, ghastly, whatever bad word you can think of. You might also want to look at the K-x, it is an older model but still kicking around if you look, and is still an excellent starter camera.

06-25-2011, 10:04 PM	#7
CP140 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Greater Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 190	Either camera will do a good job for you. FWIW, I recently jumped through the same mental hoops as you are going through now. I'd suggest going to to the local camera store and playing with each of the two cameras and seeing which feels better in your hands. If you're planning on getting the camera with the kit lens, then play with the zoom and focus and see which feels better. I picked the K-r because... 1) The front element doesn't rotate on focussing 2) It can use AA batteries in a pinch 3) The kit lens felt smoother 4) It was less expensive 5) It felt nicer in my hands Regards

06-26-2011, 07:37 AM	#8
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	CP140 - have you seen the o output of the d3100? The cabrera will function just fine, but it has terrible photos. There is no comparison with the Kr, which is 100 times a better camera based on actual photo output.

06-26-2011, 08:04 AM	#9
hards New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5 Original Poster	pxpaulx - what camera are u talking about . do u mean that nikon d3100 is better than the kr ?

06-26-2011, 08:21 AM	#10
stanic Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Zakopane Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389	D3100 doesn`t have autobracketing...

06-26-2011, 08:31 AM	#11
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	No, the D3100 is a brutally bad camera! As I previously said, if the OP is considering a Nikon as well, he should at least look at the D5100. The sensor output on the D3100 is just awful.

06-26-2011, 11:49 AM	#12
fey New Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 23	I'd choose the K-r, and I'm not just saying it because I have one My best friend chose the d3100, and she hasn't a clue of how to use it, LOL. I thought maybe I could help her out with it, but couldn't; it's too darn complex in terms of user interface. Of course, it has a guide mode and bla bla bla which will ask you whether you want a 'blurry background' but that's not very practical once you learn to use it. plus, the shutter of My K-r sounds very film-like, which I love. the d3100's sounds electronic.:/

06-26-2011, 12:11 PM	#13
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	I would generally avoid the Nikon entry level bodies: they don't have autofocus motors in them so they can only autofocus lens with AF motors in them (i.e., AF-S lenses). This limits your options for AF lenses that will autofocus with your body. Nikon is a compelling system on the high end; but as an entry level option, they are the worst of the lot. Best options for entry level camera are either the Pentax k-x or k-r or one of the Canon rebels.

06-26-2011, 01:53 PM	#14
hards New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5 Original Poster	for Kr users . i ve heard that the KR has dead issue . is that right ?

06-26-2011, 08:32 PM	#15
CP140 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Greater Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 190	PXPAULX, I respect your opinion on the Nikon 3100. I have seen shots from the 3100 (a friend of mine has one) and I have the K-r. To be brutally honest, the differences between our shots in similar situations come down to the operator. Each has it's strengths and each has it's weaknesses. DP Review has reviews of both cameras and there doesn't seem to be that much in it one way or the other. Nikon D3100 Review: 19. Conclusion: Digital Photography Review Pentax K-r Review: 11. Conclusion & Samples: Digital Photography Review Regards