Nikon P100 vs Pentax K-500

On this page, we are looking at the Nikon P100 versus Pentax K-500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the P100 (10MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the P100 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The P100 was introduced 4 years before the K-500 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Nikon P100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the P100 grades versus the K-500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix P100 and Pentax K-500. The whole galleries are available at Nikon P100 Gallery and Pentax K-500 Gallery.

If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon P100 provides outer measurements of 114mm x 83mm x 99mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.9") accompanied by a weight of 481 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check out the Nikon P100 versus Pentax K-500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the P100 compared to the K-500.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the P100 and K-500 is 68 and 64 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the P100 and K-500.

All in all, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The P100 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-500 will produce more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged P100 will be behind in sensor technology.