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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D Key Specs

Nikon D5500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Replaced the Nikon D5300
  • Newer Model is Nikon D5600
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed December 2006
  • Successor is Pentax K100D S
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the D5500 (24MP) and K100D (6MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The D5500 was unveiled 8 years after the K100D which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the D5500 scores versus the K100D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Pentax K100D

 D5500 K100D 
RevealedJanuary 2015December 2006Newer by 99 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1037k210kCrisper screen (+827k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Nikon D5500

 K100D D5500 

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K100D

 D5500 K100D 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D5500 has got exterior dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) and the Pentax K100D has sizing of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

See the Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the D5500 vs the K100D.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the D5500 and K100D is 71 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading technical specs. The image underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5500 and K100D.

As you have seen, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Nikon D5500 to offer you greater detail having an extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more recent D5500 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5500 Portrait photography features
Pentax K100D Portrait photography features
79
manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Street photography camera
75
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
supports focus via touch
lighter than competitors (420 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
58
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
more heavy than competition in class (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Sports photography camera
68
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
great battery power (820 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
47
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Travel photography camera
81
great battery power (820 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (420g)
supports focus via touch
resolution is good (24MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
42
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (660 grams)
low megapixels (6MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5500
Landscape photography with Pentax K100D
78
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no low pass filter
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
great battery power (820 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
52
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
low megapixels (6MP)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D5500
Vlogging with Pentax K100D
75
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
features face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone support
lighter than competitors (420 grams)
lack of image stabilization
9
can't record video
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Pentax K100D
 Nikon D5500Pentax K100D
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D5500 Pentax K100D
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2015-01-06 2006-12-03
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 39 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF
Available lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance 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 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 420 gr (0.93 lb) 660 gr (1.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 84 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1438 not tested
Other
Battery life 820 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL14,EN-EL14a 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $700 $0