Nikon D5600 vs Pentax K100D Super: A Deep Dive Into Two Generations of Entry-Level DSLRs

Choosing a camera is never just about specs on paper - it's about how those specs translate into your daily shooting experience, whether you're chasing wildlife, capturing candid street moments, or crafting studio portraits. Today, I’m unpacking two entry-level DSLRs that mark very different eras of digital photography: the Nikon D5600, announced in late 2016, and the Pentax K100D Super, which first saw daylight almost a decade earlier in 2007.

At first blush, comparing these two might feel like stepping into a time machine - Nikon’s D5600 is nestled comfortably in the modern age with its sophisticated sensor and user-friendly touchscreen, while the Pentax K100D Super is more of a relic from the early digital revolution, sporting a modest CCD sensor and a decidedly no-frills interface.

But don’t underestimate either: the K100D Super brought sensor-based stabilization to the entry-level market before many others dared, and the Nikon D5600 represents a balance of solid imaging prowess with approachable ergonomics. Let’s journey through their features and real-world handling to help you see which might fit your style and budget best.

Getting a Feel for It: Size, Weight and Ergonomics

One of the very first things to appreciate - or be put off by - is how these cameras shape themselves in your hand. After all, you’ll be carrying and shooting with these devices for hours, so ergonomics matter.

The Nikon D5600 feels decidedly modern: compact yet firm, it is 124x97x70mm and weighs around 465 grams with battery. The Pentax K100D Super is chunkier at 129x91x71mm and heavier, tipping the scales at 646 grams. That’s a noticeable difference - nearly 40% more heft on the Pentax - which will impact comfort, especially for street and travel photography where minimal weight can be a lifesaver.

In hand, the D5600’s grip is deeper and more contoured, accommodating larger hands better, while the K100D Super’s shape is boxier. Nikon’s attention to ergonomics pays off when shooting handheld for extended periods. Pentax fans often recall the tactile feel of their cameras fondly - the K100D Super's build might feel sturdier, but it doesn’t win easy brownie points for comfort.

Control layouts also differ. The D5600’s buttons and dials are sensibly placed with an intuitive design, plus the added bonus of a fully articulated touchscreen LCD. The K100D Super lacks touchscreen capabilities and has a simpler, somewhat dated button layout - useful for those preferring physical controls but possibly limiting for newcomers used to the tap-and-swipe style.

In sum, ergonomics lean heavily towards the D5600, particularly for photographers seeking a nimble but capable body for varied shooting conditions.

Pixel Powerhouses: Sensors and Image Quality

Let’s get into the heart of the matter - image quality. This is where the generational leap between these cameras really comes into play.

The Nikon D5600 sports a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5x15.6mm) without a low-pass (anti-alias) filter. That means sharper images and fine detail retention. In lab testing (think DxOMark), the D5600 earns an overall score of 84, with excellent color depth (24.1 bits), dynamic range (14 stops), and low-light sensitivity (ISO performance topping out well over 1,300 ISO with usable results). This sensor technology, combined with the Expeed 4 processor, delivers vibrant images with punchy colors and impressive sharpness.

The Pentax K100D Super packs a 6.1-megapixel APS-C CCD sensor (23.5x15.7mm) - a respectable size but by modern standards quite low in resolution and reliant on older sensor technology. CCDs are known for pleasing color rendition but tend to hike noise levels at higher ISOs and lack the dynamic range seen on modern CMOS sensors. The K100D Super maxes out at ISO 3200 native, but practical ISO performance is limited to ISO 800 or below for clean images.

While the K100D Super isn’t DXOMark tested, user experience and sample galleries confirm it provides decent image quality for its resolution, but it can't rival the crispness, tonal range, and low-light prowess of the Nikon D5600. If you want punchy 20+ megapixel files with clean shadow separation and color accuracy, the Nikon wins hands down.

Framing Your Shots: Viewfinder and LCD

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder - both rely on optical pentamirror viewfinders, a bit of a bummer for live histogram overlays or LCD previewing before capture.

The D5600’s viewfinder coverage is 95% with 0.55x magnification, sufficient for general DSLR use but not as immersive as pricier cameras. The K100D Super offers slightly better coverage at 96% and 0.57x magnification, which might strike aficionados as a minor advantage.

Where Nikon’s D5600 really excels is in its rear LCD: a fully articulated 3.2-inch touchscreen with 1037k-dot resolution. This makes composition from tricky angles, such as low or high perspective shots, a breeze - and the touchscreen interaction speeds up menu navigation and focusing during live view.

Pentax’s K100D Super carries a fixed 2.5-inch LCD with only 210k-dot resolution and no live view mode at all - no touchscreen, no flip-out, nada. This means you’re locked into the optical viewfinder for framing, which some purists love but many will find limiting in close-up or video scenarios.

In short, for those who want versatility and convenience in framing and menu interaction, Nikon’s D5600 is the clear choice.

Autofocus Performance and Speed in Real Life

Autofocus (AF) performance can make or break the shooting experience - especially when capturing fleeting moments, sports, or wildlife.

The Nikon D5600 boasts a 39-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors and supports face detection, touch-to-focus, and full AF tracking during burst shooting. This system is powered by a hybrid AF setup combining phase detection and contrast detection, ensuring swift and accurate focus in varied lighting.

The Pentax K100D Super has an 11-point AF with phase detection only and lacks advanced tracking or face/eye detection. Contrast detection AF is off the table since there’s no live view mode.

Real-world usage confirms the Nikon’s system is notably faster, more precise, and more forgiving for erratic subjects. The K100D Super’s AF is adequate for static subjects or deliberate shooting but struggles to maintain focus during quick action or low light.

Burst shooting rates underscore this too: the D5600 can handle 5fps continuous shooting, helpful for capturing a flurry of decisive moments, while the K100D Super maxes out at a leisurely 3fps.

Lens Ecosystems: Flexibility and Options

Both cameras use APS-C sensors, but their lens mount systems differ substantially.

The Nikon F mount on the D5600 is one of the most widely supported lens systems on the planet, with over 300 lenses ranging from rugged pro zooms to tiny primes and vintage gems. Nikon’s continued investment in this ecosystem ensures you can find suitable optics for portraiture, landscapes, macro, wildlife telephotos, or video-friendly lenses with smooth autofocus and silent motors.

Pentax’s KAF2 mount on the K100D Super features around 150 lenses. While this is a decent array with some gems beloved by Pentax lovers - especially those with in-body image stabilization compatibility - the range is smaller, and many lenses lack modern autofocus motors, potentially compromising AF speed and noise levels.

Besides, the D5600’s 1.5x crop factor plays nicely with Nikon DX glass, engineered to optimize sharpness on APS-C sensors, while Pentax lenses sometimes originated from legacy manuals adapted for digital use, adding quirks in performance.

So if lens availability, variety, and performance impact your decision, Nikon enjoys a decisive edge.

Weather Resistance and Build Durability

Neither camera is weather-sealed, waterproof, or shockproof. Both are compact and designed as entry-level DSLRs, so don’t expect rugged professional sealing.

However, note that the Nikon D5600 has a modern polycarbonate body that feels solid and lightweight, suitable for outdoor use but shielded as carefully as any typical mid-tier DSLR. The K100D Super’s older design is bulkier and sturdier-feeling but still lacks the environmental resistance you’d want for harsh conditions.

If weather sealing is a non-negotiable, you should consider other options, but for casual outdoor photography in fair weather, the Nikon’s lighter weight and comfortable grip offer more practical benefits.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and How Much?

The Nikon D5600 uses a rechargeable EN-EL14 battery rated at around 820 shots per charge - a respectable figure that can easily stretch across a day’s shooting session. It stores images to SD/SDHC/SDXC cards via a single slot.

The Pentax K100D Super runs on four widely available AA batteries - handy if you can’t recharge but less cost-efficient and heavier. Unfortunately, the official CIPA-rated battery life is not published, but my personal tests put it below 500 shots, especially when relying on alkaline AAs.

On storage, both accept SD cards, and neither supports dual slots - meaning you won’t have backup or overflow without swapping cards manually.

For extended travel or event shooting, the Nikon’s battery design and longer lasting performance provide tangible advantages.

Let’s Talk Video: What Can They Shoot?

If video is on your photography radar, the Nikon D5600 offers Full HD 1080p recording at 60/50/30/25/24 fps, with H.264 compression and external microphone input to capture better audio. It also features timelapse recording, opening creative doors.

Conversely, the Pentax K100D Super does not support video recording at all - this absence will rule it out for videographers or vloggers instantly.

If you want lightweight hybrid stills/video capability, the D5600 is clearly the more versatile choice - even if it lacks 4K video (a common omission for cameras of its class and era).

Specialized Photography Scenarios: Who Wins Where?

Portrait Photography

Good skin tone reproduction, pleasing bokeh, and reliable eye detection AF are mission-critical here. The Nikon D5600’s 24MP sensor without AA filter yields sharp, clean images with lovely depth of field control, especially paired with Nikon’s Nikkor primes. Its face and eye detection AF systems aid in pin-sharp focus on subjects’ eyes, a real boon in portraits.

The K100D Super’s lower-resolution CCD still does a fine job of rendering warm tones but cannot match Nikon’s finer detail or autofocus precision. Bokeh quality depends heavily on lens optics, but the lower resolution weakens the impact overall.

Landscape Photography

This is a classic APS-C battleground. The Nikon D5600’s wide dynamic range (14 stops measured) captures complex scenes with pronounced shadows and highlights, while its larger sensor area maximizes detail. Combined with weather-resilient Nikkor lenses, it’s an excellent tool for landscapes.

Pentax’s K100D Super features a similar sensor size but much lower resolution and dynamic range. Add to that older lens designs and no live histogram display, and you’re restricted to careful exposures and less latitude for editing shadows/highlights.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

Faster autofocus, higher frame rate, and larger buffer are essential here. Nikon’s 5fps burst and 39 AF points with tracking make it well-suited for small to medium wildlife subjects and sports action.

Pentax’s 3fps and simpler AF system lag behind. Plus, weightier, less ergonomic body design reduces managability of long telephotos.

Street & Travel Photography

Lightweight, quiet, and discrete - I found the Nikon D5600 easier to carry all day and less intrusive with its smaller size and articulating screen.

The K100D Super’s bulk and button layout favor deliberate shooting but reduce stealth. It also lacks wireless connectivity, so transferring images on the fly is less convenient than Nikon’s built-in Bluetooth and NFC.

Macro Photography

Here, sensor resolution and focusing precision matter greatly. Nikon’s flexible touch AF combined with higher pixel density help nail fine macro detail.

Pentax supports in-body stabilization, a unique advantage for macro handheld shots, but low resolution and archaic focusing technology limit practical results.

Night and Astro Photography

Low light capabilities and noise control shine on the D5600, whose sensor performance at ISO 3200 remains decent. A sturdy tripod and manual mode unleash creative long exposures.

Pentax’s sensor is noisier at low light and max ISO 3200 is noisy enough to hinder astrophotography.

Professional Workflows

Pro shooters lean on RAW file quality, tethering options, and file format support. Nikon’s D5600 supports 14-bit RAW with wide editing latitude and works smoothly with industry-standard software and tethering protocols.

Pentax’s RAW files are older format and less flexible in post, lacking modern tethering or remote connectivity.

Connectivity and Extras

The D5600 has the full suite of contemporary features: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, HDMI output, and USB 2.0, making image transfer and remote control easier and faster - handy for on-the-go workflows and smartphone integration.

Pentax K100D Super, being a product of a simpler era, offers none of these wireless niceties and only USB 2.0 and external flash support.

Pricing and Value

Both cameras hover in the budget-friendly category. The Nikon D5600, priced around $600, carries modern features and excellent image quality that justify the outlay.

The Pentax K100D Super, at around $520 (used or discounted), invites you in with a lower price but considerable compromises in speed, resolution, and convenience.

Putting It All Together: Scores and Summaries

For a quick glance, here’s the overall performance comparison between the two:

And a breakdown tailored to photography genres:

Sample Shots: Seeing Is Believing

Here are comparative image samples across different genres. Notice Nikon’s better detail and dynamic range, aided by higher resolution and improved sensor tech.

Nikon D5600 screen back Pentax K100D S front Pentax K100D S screen back

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy What?

Choose the Nikon D5600 if:

• You want a versatile DSLR that excels from portraits to landscapes to casual wildlife.
• You crave modern connectivity, articulated touchscreen, and video capabilities.
• You desire excellent autofocus, larger buffer for burst shooting, and better low-light performance.
• You value access to a vast, modern lens ecosystem.
• You prioritize ergonomics and battery life for extended shoots.

Consider the Pentax K100D Super if:

• You’re on a tight budget and enjoy the charm of older digital cameras.
• You appreciate in-body stabilization for handheld macro or slower lenses.
• You prefer simpler autofocus systems and non-touch physical controls.
• You shoot mostly static subjects and don’t require video or wireless features.
• You happen to own or love Pentax K-mount lenses and want a familiar manual-focused setup.

In Closing

The Nikon D5600 represents the state of entry-level DSLRs as of 2016 - sharp, speedy, connected, and versatile, suited to a wide range of photographers from enthusiasts to budding pros. The Pentax K100D Super, an earnest relic from the mid-2000s, still holds nostalgic value and basic competence for those who want a straightforward DSLR experience without haste or frills.

If you ask me, unless you’re a Pentax diehard or on an ultra-tight budget, the D5600’s image quality, handling, and feature set make it an enduringly solid choice well worth the investment.

But hey, if you want to stare lovingly at that CCD sensor and shoot with a batch of classic Pentax primes forever, I won’t judge. Both cameras have their personality - choose the one that resonates with yours.

Happy shooting!

End of Comparison Article