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Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
58
Imaging
42
Features
33
Overall
38
Nikon D100 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 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
  • Announced July 2002
  • Successor is Nikon D200
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • New Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the D100 (6MP) and K-5 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D100 was brought out 9 years prior to the K-5 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the D100 scores vs the K-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D100 over the Pentax K-5

 D100 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Nikon D100

 K-5 D100 
LaunchedDecember 2010July 2002Fresher by 102 months
Screen size3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution921k118kClearer screen (+803k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D100 and Pentax K-5

 D100 K-5 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D100 has got physical measurements of 144mm x 116mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 780 grams (1.72 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the D100 against the K-5.

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D100 and K-5 is 58 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D100 and K-5.

As you can see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Pentax K-5 to result in extra detail having its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older D100 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D100 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography details
49
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
73
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D100 Street photography features
Pentax K-5 Street photography features
51
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D100 Sports photography info
Pentax K-5 Sports photography info
37
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D100 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Travel photography camera
41
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (6MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
65
environment sealing
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D100 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Landscape photography camera
44
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D100 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D100 and Pentax K-5
 Nikon D100Pentax K-5
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D100 Pentax K-5
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2002-07-26 2010-12-18
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 3008 x 2000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 1.8" 3"
Display resolution 118 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 780 grams (1.72 pounds) 740 grams (1.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 144 x 116 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.2") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 2 or 100 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $170 $800