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Pentax K100D vs Sony A100

Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Pentax K100D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
38
Overall
44

Pentax K100D vs Sony A100 Key Specs

Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Released December 2006
  • Replacement is Pentax K100D S
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
  • Revealed July 2006
  • Older Model is Konica Minolta 5D
  • New Model is Sony A550
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Pentax K100D vs Sony A100 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Pentax K100D versus Sony A100, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the K100D (6MP) and A100 (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K100D was unveiled 5 months later than the A100 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the K100D matches up versus the A100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Sony A100

 K100D A100 

Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Pentax K100D

 A100 K100D 
Display resolution230k210kClearer display (+20k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K100D and Sony A100

 K100D A100 
RevealedDecember 2006July 2006Similar age
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.5"2.5"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Pentax K100D vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K100D offers external dimensions of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") and a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) whilst the Sony A100 has measurements of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K100D versus Sony A100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the K100D versus the A100.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A100 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K100D and A100 is 64 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K100D vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The photograph below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K100D and A100.

As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can anticipate the Sony A100 to give you greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A100 sensor size comparison

Pentax K100D vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K100D vs Sony A100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K100D Portrait photography information
Sony A100 Portrait photography information
51
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
53
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
MP count low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K100D Street photography factors
Sony A100 Street photography factors
58
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
more heavy than competitors in class (660g)
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K100D Sports photography factors
Sony A100 Sports photography factors
47
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (6MP)
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K100D Travel photography details
Sony A100 Travel photography details
42
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (660g)
low megapixels (6MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
45
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K100D Landscape photography factors
Sony A100 Landscape photography factors
52
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5")
no liveview
low megapixels (6MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
53
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K100D
Vlogging with Sony A100
9
lack of video recording
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K100D vs Sony A100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K100D and Sony A100
 Pentax K100DSony Alpha DSLR-A100
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K100D Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2006-12-03 2006-07-31
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2008 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 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
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 660 gr (1.46 lb) 638 gr (1.41 lb)
Dimensions 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 476
Other
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM55H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC card Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $0 $1,000