Pentax K100D vs Sony A550
64 Imaging
45 Features
36 Overall
41


63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57
Pentax K100D vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(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
- Refreshed by Pentax K100D S
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Revealed December 2009
- Succeeded the Sony A100

Pentax K100D vs Sony A550 Overview
Following is a in depth overview of the Pentax K100D versus Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the K100D (6MP) and A550 (14MP) but they use the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The K100D was revealed 4 years earlier than the A550 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the K100D scores against the A550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A550 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K100D & Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The full galleries are provided at Pentax K100D Gallery & Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Sony A550
K100D | A550 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax K100D
A550 | K100D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | December 2009 | ![]() | December 2006 | More modern by 36 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 210k | Sharper display (+712k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K100D and Sony A550
K100D | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch display |
Pentax K100D vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K100D features external 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 A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K100D versus Sony A550 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the K100D against the A550.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K100D and A550 is 64 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes merely by seeing technical specs. The image here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K100D and A550.
As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony A550 to show extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged K100D will be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K100D vs Sony A550 Specifications
Pentax K100D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K100D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2006-12-03 | 2009-12-09 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 369.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3008 x 2008 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax KAF | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 210 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 96% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.57x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 12.00 m |
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 | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest 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 |
Microphone 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 | 660g (1.46 lbs) | 632g (1.39 lbs) |
Dimensions | 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" 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 shots |
Battery form | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 4 x AA | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/MMC card | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $0 | $749 |