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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K100D Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
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
  • Renewed by Pentax K100D S
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K100D, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are designed by Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and K100D (6MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and K100D (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The K-1 was revealed 9 years after the K100D which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the K-1 scores against the K100D in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax K100D

 K-1 K100D 
RevealedFebruary 2016December 2006More modern by 113 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1037k210kClearer screen (+827k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Pentax K-1

 K100D K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K100D

 K-1 K100D 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-1 has external measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) and the Pentax K100D has proportions of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K100D in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the K-1 and the K100D.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and K100D is 55 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes only by checking technical specs. The picture here will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 and K100D.

As you can tell, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-1 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Pentax K-1 will resolve more detail because of its extra 30 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The newer K-1 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Portrait photography camera
85
manual focus
high megapixels (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
51
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography factors
Pentax K100D Street photography factors
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
above average ISO range (204,800)
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
58
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
more heavy than competition (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K100D Sports photography factors
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
bad battery life (760 shots)
47
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography features
Pentax K100D Travel photography features
53
environment proof
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
bad battery life (760 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
42
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (660 grams)
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
Landscape photography with Pentax K100D
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
bad battery life (760 shots)
52
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging info
Pentax K100D Vlogging info
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic socket
does not posses selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
9
no video recording
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax K100D
 Pentax K-1Pentax K100D
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-1 Pentax K100D
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2016-02-17 2006-12-03
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 7360 x 4912 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 204800 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 33 11
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.4 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 lb) 660 grams (1.46 lb)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 3280 not tested
Other
Battery life 760 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/MMC card
Card slots 2 1
Cost at launch $1,499 $0