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Pentax K100D vs Sony A290

Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Pentax K100D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Pentax K100D vs Sony A290 Key Specs

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
  • Released December 2006
  • Newer Model is Pentax K100D S
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A230
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Pentax K100D vs Sony A290 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Pentax K100D versus Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the K100D (6MP) and A290 (14MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K100D was manufactured 4 years before the A290 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the K100D matches up vs the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Sony A290

 K100D A290 

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax K100D

 A290 K100D 
AnnouncedJune 2010December 2006More recent by 42 months
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kClearer display (+20k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K100D and Sony A290

 K100D A290 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax K100D vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Pentax K100D features exterior measurements of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) while the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K100D versus Sony A290 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the K100D against the A290.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A290 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K100D and A290 is 64 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K100D vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specs. The graphic below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K100D and A290.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A290 to offer you greater detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older K100D is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Pentax K100D vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K100D Portrait photography highlights
Sony A290 Portrait photography highlights
51
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
65
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Pentax K100D Street photography information
Sony A290 Street photography information
58
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
heavier than average in class (660g)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K100D Sports photography advice
Sony A290 Sports photography advice
47
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow fps (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K100D Travel photography factors
Sony A290 Travel photography factors
42
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (660 grams)
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (290 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K100D Landscape photography features
Sony A290 Landscape photography features
52
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no liveview feature
low resolution sensor (6MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
58
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K100D as a Vlogging camera
Sony A290 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
9
no video
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Pentax K100D vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K100D and Sony A290
 Pentax K100DSony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K100D Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2006-12-03 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 14 megapixel
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
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of display 210k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
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 rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 660 gr (1.46 pounds) 549 gr (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" 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 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC card Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $0 $600