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Nikon P520 vs Pentax K100D S

Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
 
Pentax K100D Super front
Portability
65
Imaging
45
Features
38
Overall
42

Nikon P520 vs Pentax K100D S Key Specs

Nikon P520
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon P510
  • Newer Model is Nikon P530
Pentax K100D S
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 129 x 91 x 71mm
  • Announced June 2007
  • Old Model is Pentax K100D
  • Successor is Pentax K200D
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Nikon P520 vs Pentax K100D S Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Nikon P520 versus Pentax K100D S, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the P520 (18MP) and K100D S (6MP) and the P520 (1/2.3") and K100D S (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The P520 was brought out 5 years after the K100D S which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K100D S being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a quick summary of how the P520 grades versus the K100D S in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Pentax K100D S

 P520 K100D S 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013June 2007More modern by 69 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution921k210kCrisper screen (+711k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D S over the Nikon P520

 K100D S P520 

Common features in the Nikon P520 and Pentax K100D S

 P520 K100D S 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon P520 vs Pentax K100D S Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon P520 enjoys physical measurements of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Pentax K100D S has proportions of 129mm x 91mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Examine the Nikon P520 versus Pentax K100D S in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the P520 compared to the K100D S.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax K100D S size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the P520 and K100D S is 66 and 65 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax K100D S top view buttons comparison

Nikon P520 vs Pentax K100D S Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching technical specs. The picture underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the P520 and K100D S.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The P520 due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Nikon P520 will provide you with extra detail having its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern P520 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon P520 vs Pentax K100D S sensor size comparison

Nikon P520 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P520 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon P520
Portrait photography with Pentax K100D S
41
you can focus manually
good resolution (18MP)
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
51
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon P520 Street photography information
Pentax K100D S Street photography information
51
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
heavier than average (550 grams)
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K100D S as a Sports photography camera
46
great zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P520 Travel photography factors
Pentax K100D S Travel photography factors
57
good resolution (18MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1000mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
heavier than average (550g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
45
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (6MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P520 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K100D S Landscape photography highlights
46
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
52
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 Vlogging advice
Pentax K100D S Vlogging advice
57
fairly wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have external mic port
heavier than average (550g)
9
can't record video
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Nikon P520 vs Pentax K100D S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P520 and Pentax K100D S
 Nikon Coolpix P520Pentax K100D Super
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix P520 Pentax K100D Super
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-29 2007-06-28
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.16 x 4.62mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-1000mm (41.7x) -
Max aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2" 2.5"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 550 gr (1.21 pounds) 646 gr (1.42 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") 129 x 91 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL5 4 x AA
Self timer - Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $380 $520