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Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
58
Imaging
43
Features
33
Overall
39
Nikon D100 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Nikon D100
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 780g - 144 x 116 x 81mm
  • Introduced July 2002
  • Newer Model is Nikon D200
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
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Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Nikon D100 and Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the D100 (6MP) and K-3 (24MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D100 was released 12 years earlier than the K-3 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the D100 scores versus the K-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D100 over the Pentax K-3

 D100 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Nikon D100

 K-3 D100 
IntroducedApril 2014July 2002More recent by 142 months
Display dimension3.2"1.8"Larger display (+1.4")
Display resolution1037k118kClearer display (+919k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D100 and Pentax K-3

 D100 K-3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D100 features exterior dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 780 grams (1.72 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D100 and Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the D100 and the K-3.

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D100 and K-3 is 58 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements purely by looking through a spec sheet. The visual below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D100 and K-3.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax K-3 to result in extra detail as a result of its extra 18MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively. The older D100 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D100
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
49
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
79
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D100
Street photography with Pentax K-3
52
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D100 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect AF
bad battery life (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D100 Travel photography details
Pentax K-3 Travel photography details
41
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (6MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
60
weather proof
MP count good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery life (560 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D100 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography info
45
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (1.8")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
78
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
bad battery life (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D100 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-3 Vlogging highlights
9
no video recording
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D100 and Pentax K-3
 Nikon D100Pentax K-3
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D100 Pentax K-3
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2002-07-26 2014-04-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 367.4mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 3008 x 2000 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 1.8 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 118 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 11.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 780g (1.72 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 116 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.2") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life - 560 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 2 or 100 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 Two
Retail price $170 $639