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Pentax K100D vs Sony A300

Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Pentax K100D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
50
Features
45
Overall
48

Pentax K100D vs Sony A300 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
  • Refreshed by Pentax K100D S
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Introduced January 2008
  • New Model is Sony A330
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Pentax K100D vs Sony A300 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Pentax K100D vs Sony A300, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the K100D (6MP) and A300 (10MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K100D was introduced 14 months before the A300 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise summary of how the K100D grades versus the A300 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Sony A300

 K100D A300 

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax K100D

 A300 K100D 
IntroducedJanuary 2008December 2006Fresher by 14 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kCrisper display (+20k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K100D and Sony A300

 K100D A300 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax K100D vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K100D comes with outside measurements of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) and the Sony A300 has proportions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K100D vs Sony A300 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the K100D compared to the A300.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A300 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K100D and A300 is 64 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K100D vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing merely by looking through specifications. The graphic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K100D and A300.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A300 to render greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The older K100D will be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Pentax K100D vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K100D vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K100D Portrait photography information
Sony A300 Portrait photography information
51
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K100D Street photography info
Sony A300 Street photography info
58
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
heavier than average in class (660g)
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K100D as a Sports photography camera
Sony A300 as a Sports photography camera
47
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
55
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K100D
Travel photography with Sony A300
42
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (660 grams)
low resolution sensor (6MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
45
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K100D as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A300 as a Landscape photography camera
52
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
57
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7")
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K100D Vlogging advice
Sony A300 Vlogging advice
9
no video
9
no video
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Pentax K100D vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K100D and Sony A300
 Pentax K100DSony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K100D Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2006-12-03 2008-01-30
Physical type 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Full resolution 3008 x 2008 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 210k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic port
Headphone port
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 grams (1.46 lb) 632 grams (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 538
Other
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC card Compact Flash
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $0 $0