Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5
58 Imaging
42 Features
33 Overall
38


60 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Pentax K-7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

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).

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.

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D100 and Pentax K-5. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon D100 Gallery and Pentax K-5 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | December 2010 | ![]() | July 2002 | Fresher by 102 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 1.8" | Bigger screen (+1.2") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 118k | Clearer screen (+803k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D100 and Pentax K-5
D100 | K-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D100 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
Nikon D100 | Pentax 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 |