Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K100D S
65 Imaging
51 Features
50 Overall
50


65 Imaging
45 Features
38 Overall
42
Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K100D S Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
- Launched June 2009
- Replaced the Nikon D60
- Newer Model is Nikon D5100
(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
- Released June 2007
- Older Model is Pentax K100D
- Renewed by Pentax K200D

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K100D S Overview
In this article, we will be evaluating the Nikon D5000 and Pentax K100D S, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the D5000 (12MP) and K100D S (6MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

The D5000 was brought out 24 months later than the K100D S which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick overview of how the D5000 grades vs the K100D S when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K100D S Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D5000 and Pentax K100D Super. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon D5000 Gallery and Pentax K100D S Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Pentax K100D S
D5000 | K100D S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2009 | ![]() | June 2007 | Fresher by 24 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 210k | Clearer screen (+20k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Pentax K100D S over the Nikon D5000
K100D S | D5000 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Pentax K100D S
D5000 | K100D S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly screen |
Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K100D S Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D5000 has physical dimensions of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") with a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs) while the Pentax K100D S has dimensions 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 D5000 and Pentax K100D S in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the D5000 compared to the K100D S.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the D5000 and K100D S is 65 and 65 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K100D S Sensor Comparison
Generally, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through specs. The visual underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5000 and K100D S.
As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Nikon D5000 to result in greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger D5000 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Pentax K100D S Specifications
Nikon D5000 | Pentax K100D Super | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon D5000 | Pentax K100D Super |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2009-06-12 | 2007-06-28 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 6 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 3008 x 2008 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 309 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7" | 2.5" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 210 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 96% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.52x | 0.57x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 17.00 m (at ISO 100) | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | - |
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 590 grams (1.30 lb) | 646 grams (1.42 lb) |
Dimensions | 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") | 129 x 91 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 72 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.7 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.5 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 868 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 510 images | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL9a | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC card |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $630 | $520 |