Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290
65 Imaging
45 Features
38 Overall
42


66 Imaging
54 Features
47 Overall
51
Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 646g - 129 x 91 x 71mm
- Revealed June 2007
- Old Model is Pentax K100D
- Replacement is Pentax K200D
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
- Launched June 2010
- Old Model is Sony A230

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 Overview
Lets look much closer at the Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the K100D S (6MP) and A290 (14MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (APS-C).

The K100D S was introduced 3 years earlier than the A290 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the K100D S scores vs the A290 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K100D Super and Sony Alpha DSLR-A290. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K100D S Gallery and Sony A290 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K100D S over the Sony A290
K100D S | A290 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax K100D S
A290 | K100D S | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2010 | ![]() | June 2007 | More modern by 35 months |
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 210k | Crisper screen (+20k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K100D S and Sony A290
K100D S | A290 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K100D S offers outer dimensions of 129mm x 91mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) while the Sony A290 has sizing of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the K100D S vs the A290.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K100D S and A290 is 65 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over specifications. The picture below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K100D S and A290.
To sum up, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony A290 to offer you greater detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged K100D S is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 Specifications
Pentax K100D Super | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K100D Super | Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2007-06-28 | 2010-06-09 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | 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 | 6MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3008 x 2008 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.5 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 210 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 96% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.57x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Maximum video resolution | None | None |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 646g (1.42 pounds) | 549g (1.21 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 129 x 91 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") | 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.5 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 615 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 290 shots |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 4 x AA | NP-FH50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $520 | $600 |