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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
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
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D Overview

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Nikon and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and K100D (6MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The Z50 was manufactured 13 years after the K100D which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the Z50 grades versus the K100D with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax K100D

 Z50 K100D 
RevealedOctober 2019December 2006Newer by 157 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1040k210kSharper screen (+830k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Nikon Z50

 K100D Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax K100D

 Z50 K100D 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon Z50 features external dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") along with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Pentax K100D has sizing of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

See the Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the Z50 compared to the K100D.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z50 and K100D is 74 and 64 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The image underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and K100D.

As you can see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Nikon Z50 to give greater detail due to its extra 15 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The newer Z50 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z50
Portrait photography with Pentax K100D
80
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
51
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
low resolution (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z50
Street photography with Pentax K100D
73
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
includes focus by touch
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397g)
58
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
heavier than others in class (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography factors
Pentax K100D Sports photography factors
75
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
47
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography advice
Pentax K100D Travel photography advice
77
environment proof
has bluetooth
includes focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition in class (397g)
42
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (660g)
low resolution (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K100D Landscape photography highlights
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proof
no image stabilization
52
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
low resolution (6MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging information
Pentax K100D Vlogging information
71
selfie friendly display
touch screen
has face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone port
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397 grams)
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax K100D
 Nikon Z50Pentax K100D
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Z50 Pentax K100D
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2019-10-10 2006-12-03
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 51200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 209 11
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Pentax KAF
Total lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 gr (0.88 pounds) 660 gr (1.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photos -
Style of battery Built-in -
Battery model EN-EL25 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $857 $0