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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
59
Overall
56
Nikon D3100 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K100D Key Specs

Nikon D3100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 505g - 124 x 96 x 75mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Previous Model is Nikon D3000
  • New Model is Nikon D3200
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced December 2006
  • Newer Model is Pentax K100D S
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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Here, we are looking at the Nikon D3100 versus Pentax K100D, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the D3100 (14MP) and K100D (6MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D3100 was manufactured 4 years after the K100D which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a short overview of how the D3100 matches up versus the K100D with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3100 over the Pentax K100D

 D3100 K100D 
IntroducedDecember 2010December 2006More modern by 50 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution230k210kCrisper display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Nikon D3100

 K100D D3100 

Common features in the Nikon D3100 and Pentax K100D

 D3100 K100D 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3100 has physical measurements of 124mm x 96mm x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) and the Pentax K100D has dimensions of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D3100 versus Pentax K100D in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the D3100 vs the K100D.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3100 and K100D is 68 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes simply by going over specifications. The pic underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the D3100 and K100D.

Plainly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Nikon D3100 to offer you more detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The fresher D3100 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D3100
Portrait photography with Pentax K100D
72
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3100 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Street photography camera
58
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
58
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
heavier than competition (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3100 Sports photography info
Pentax K100D Sports photography info
60
good MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
47
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3100 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K100D Travel photography highlights
58
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
42
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (660 grams)
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3100 Landscape photography info
Pentax K100D Landscape photography info
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
52
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3100 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K100D Vlogging highlights
27
supports face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic port
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D3100 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3100 and Pentax K100D
 Nikon D3100Pentax K100D
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D3100 Pentax K100D
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-12-21 2006-12-03
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 2 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.1 x 15.4mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 355.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3072 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505g (1.11 pounds) 660g (1.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 96 x 75mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 3.0") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 67 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 919 not tested
Other
Battery life 550 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL14 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $565 $0