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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A100

Portability
59
Imaging
64
Features
85
Overall
72
Pentax K-3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
Portability
64
Imaging
48
Features
38
Overall
44

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A100 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Released July 2006
  • Succeeded the Konica Minolta 5D
  • Later Model is Sony A550
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A100 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Pentax K-3 and Sony A100, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and A100 (10MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-3 was unveiled 7 years later than the A100 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summation of how the K-3 matches up versus the A100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Sony A100

 K-3 A100 
ReleasedApril 2014July 2006Fresher by 94 months
Display size3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Pentax K-3

 A100 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Sony A100

 K-3 A100 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 comes with exterior measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony A100 has dimensions of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-3 and Sony A100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the K-3 vs the A100.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and A100 is 59 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing specifications. The visual underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 and A100.

Plainly, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax K-3 to provide extra detail having an extra 14MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The younger K-3 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A100 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Sony A100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
Portrait photography with Sony A100
78
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
52
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview
MP count low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
Sony A100 Street photography factors
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3
Sports photography with Sony A100
75
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery life (560 CIPA)
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A100 as a Travel photography camera
60
weather proofing
resolution is good (24MP)
has built in flash
low battery life (560 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
45
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
Sony A100 Landscape photography information
77
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
two card slots
low battery life (560 CIPA)
53
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5")
no liveview
MP count low (10 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging info
Sony A100 Vlogging info
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-3 vs Sony A100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Sony A100
 Pentax K-3Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-04-10 2006-07-31
Body design 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 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6016 x 4000 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 51200 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 27 9
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 grams (1.76 pounds) 638 grams (1.41 pounds)
Physical dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 61
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.0
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 11.2
DXO Low light score 1216 476
Other
Battery life 560 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FM55H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots 2 Single
Launch pricing $639 $1,000