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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K100D Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed December 2010
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • Updated by Pentax K-5 IIs
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
  • Revealed December 2006
  • New Model is Pentax K100D S
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K100D Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Pentax K-5 versus Pentax K100D, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are sold by Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-5 (16MP) and K100D (6MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-5 was released 4 years after the K100D which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick view of how the K-5 scores versus the K100D with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax K100D

 K-5 K100D 
RevealedDecember 2010December 2006More modern by 50 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kSharper display (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Pentax K-5

 K100D K-5 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Pentax K100D

 K-5 K100D 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-5 enjoys external measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) whilst the Pentax K100D has measurements of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-5 versus Pentax K100D in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the K-5 versus the K100D.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-5 and K100D is 60 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes only by researching a spec sheet. The picture below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the K-5 and K100D.

Clearly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Pentax K-5 to provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The younger K-5 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
Portrait photography with Pentax K100D
73
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
51
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
MP count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
58
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
more heavy than competition in class (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Sports photography camera
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Travel photography camera
65
environment proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
42
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (660 grams)
MP count low (6MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography info
Pentax K100D Landscape photography info
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
52
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
MP count low (6MP)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging advice
Pentax K100D Vlogging advice
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Pentax K100D
 Pentax K-5Pentax K100D
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-5 Pentax K100D
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-12-18 2006-12-03
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest boosted ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 921 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 0.61x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 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 distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest 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
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 740g (1.63 lbs) 660g (1.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1162 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $800 $0