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Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550

Portability
65
Imaging
45
Features
38
Overall
42
Pentax K100D Super front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Pentax K100D S
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 129 x 91 x 71mm
  • Announced June 2007
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K100D
  • Successor is Pentax K200D
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
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Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the K100D S (6MP) and A550 (14MP) but they feature the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K100D S was released 3 years earlier than the A550 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the K100D S scores versus the A550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K100D S over the Sony A550

 K100D S A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax K100D S

 A550 K100D S 
ReleasedDecember 2009June 2007More recent by 29 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k210kCrisper screen (+712k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K100D S and Sony A550

 K100D S A550 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K100D S enjoys outer dimensions of 129mm x 91mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) while the Sony A550 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the K100D S against the A550.

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K100D S and A550 is 65 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements only by going through a spec sheet. The graphic here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K100D S and A550.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should count on the Sony A550 to show extra detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively. The older K100D S will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K100D S as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
51
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (6 megapixels)
71
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K100D S Street photography advice
Sony A550 Street photography advice
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K100D S Sports photography details
Sony A550 Sports photography details
47
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (6 megapixels)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K100D S Travel photography details
Sony A550 Travel photography details
45
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
MP count low (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (480 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K100D S as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
52
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
MP count low (6 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
66
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
terrible battery power (480 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K100D S Vlogging highlights
Sony A550 Vlogging highlights
9
can't shoot video
9
can't record video
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Pentax K100D S vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K100D S and Sony A550
 Pentax K100D SuperSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K100D Super Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2007-06-28 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3008 x 2008 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 210k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
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
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 646g (1.42 pounds) 632g (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 129 x 91 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 807
Other
Battery life - 480 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $520 $749