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Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290

Portability
65
Imaging
45
Features
38
Overall
42
Pentax K100D Super front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Pentax K100D S
(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
Sony A290
(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
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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).

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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.

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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 
LaunchedJune 2010June 2007More modern by 35 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kCrisper screen (+20k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K100D S and Sony A290

 K100D S A290 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K100D S
Portrait photography with Sony A290
51
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
65
you can focus manually
decent MP (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K100D S
Street photography with Sony A290
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax K100D S Sports photography information
Sony A290 Sports photography information
47
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (6MP)
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low battery pack (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K100D S Travel photography features
Sony A290 Travel photography features
45
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
53
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (290 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K100D S Landscape photography information
Sony A290 Landscape photography information
52
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no liveview
low battery pack (290 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K100D S
Vlogging with Sony A290
9
no video shooting
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax K100D S vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K100D S and Sony A290
 Pentax K100D SuperSony 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