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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K100D Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-3 II
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Released December 2006
  • Later Model is Pentax K100D S
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K100D Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K100D, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are created by Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and K100D (6MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-3 was introduced 7 years after the K100D which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the K-3 grades vs the K100D in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K100D

 K-3 K100D 
ReleasedApril 2014December 2006More modern by 90 months
Display sizing3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1037k210kClearer display (+827k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Pentax K-3

 K100D K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K100D

 K-3 K100D 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 has got external dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Pentax K100D has dimensions of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K100D in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the K-3 compared to the K100D.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and K100D is 59 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specifications. The picture here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and K100D.

To sum up, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax K-3 to offer you extra detail using its extra 18MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more recent K-3 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
Pentax K100D Portrait photography features
79
has manual focus
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
51
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
low MP (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Street photography camera
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
58
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
more heavy than average in class (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography information
Pentax K100D Sports photography information
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery (560 shots)
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 fps)
low MP (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K100D Travel photography highlights
60
environment proofing
decent megapixels (24MP)
has built in flash
bad battery (560 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
42
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (660g)
low MP (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
Landscape photography with Pentax K100D
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery (560 shots)
52
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview
low MP (6MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-3
Vlogging with Pentax K100D
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
9
no video
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax K100D
 Pentax K-3Pentax K100D
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax K100D
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2014-04-10 2006-12-03
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4000 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 51200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 27 11
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Total lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 2.5"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lb) 660 grams (1.46 lb)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1216 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots Two One
Pricing at launch $639 $0