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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D S

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Pentax K100D Super front
Portability
65
Imaging
45
Features
38
Overall
42

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D S Key Specs

Nikon D5500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Succeeded the Nikon D5300
  • Updated by Nikon D5600
Pentax K100D S
(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
  • Introduced June 2007
  • Superseded the Pentax K100D
  • Renewed by Pentax K200D
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D S Overview

Let's look much closer at the Nikon D5500 versus Pentax K100D S, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the D5500 (24MP) and K100D S (6MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D5500 was brought out 7 years later than the K100D S and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the D5500 grades versus the K100D S in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Pentax K100D S

 D5500 K100D S 
IntroducedJanuary 2015June 2007Fresher by 92 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 friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D S over the Nikon D5500

 K100D S D5500 

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Pentax K100D S

 D5500 K100D S 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D S Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon D5500 has outside dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) while the Pentax K100D S has sizing of 129mm x 91mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D5500 versus Pentax K100D S in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the D5500 compared to the K100D S.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D S size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D5500 and K100D S is 71 and 65 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D S top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D S Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing merely by going through a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5500 and K100D S.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon D5500 to show greater detail having its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent D5500 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D S sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D5500
Portrait photography with Pentax K100D S
79
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
51
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
resolution not great (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D5500
Street photography with Pentax K100D S
75
screen can move to multiple angles
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
boasts focus via touch
lighter than others in class (420 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 Sports photography advice
Pentax K100D S Sports photography advice
68
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
great battery life (820 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
47
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
resolution not great (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K100D S as a Travel photography camera
81
great battery life (820 per charge)
lighter than others in class (420g)
boasts focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
45
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5500 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K100D S as a Landscape photography camera
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (820 per charge)
no image stabilization
52
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
resolution not great (6MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5500 Vlogging advice
Pentax K100D S Vlogging advice
75
selfie friendly display
touch screen
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone port
lighter than others in class (420 grams)
no image stabilization
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K100D S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Pentax K100D S
 Nikon D5500Pentax K100D Super
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D5500 Pentax K100D Super
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2015-01-06 2007-06-28
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip 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
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 39 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 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 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Maximum 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 420 grams (0.93 lb) 646 grams (1.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 129 x 91 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" 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 pictures -
Style of battery 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Price at release $700 $520