Pentax K100D vs Sony A37
64 Imaging
45 Features
36 Overall
41


67 Imaging
57 Features
65 Overall
60
Pentax K100D vs Sony A37 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced December 2006
- Renewed by Pentax K100D S
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.6" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 506g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
- Released May 2012
- Succeeded the Sony A35

Pentax K100D vs Sony A37 Overview
Its time to look much closer at the Pentax K100D versus Sony A37, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the K100D (6MP) and A37 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

The K100D was introduced 6 years earlier than the A37 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).
Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the K100D matches up against the A37 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A37 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K100D and Sony SLT-A37. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax K100D Gallery and Sony A37 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Sony A37
K100D | A37 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A37 over the Pentax K100D
A37 | K100D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2012 | ![]() | December 2006 | More recent by 66 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimension | 2.6" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.1") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 210k | Sharper display (+20k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K100D and Sony A37
K100D | A37 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither features Touch display |
Pentax K100D vs Sony A37 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to lug around your camera, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K100D enjoys outer 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 A37 has dimensions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 506 grams (1.12 lbs).
Compare the Pentax K100D versus Sony A37 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the K100D against the A37.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K100D and A37 is 64 and 67 respectively.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A37 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through specifications. The photograph underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K100D and A37.
To sum up, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony A37 to show more detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics much more aggressively. The older K100D will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A37 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K100D vs Sony A37 Specifications
Pentax K100D | Sony SLT-A37 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K100D | Sony SLT-A37 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Introduced | 2006-12-03 | 2012-05-16 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 369.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3008 x 2008 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 15 |
Cross focus points | - | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Pentax KAF | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 2.5 inches | 2.6 inches |
Display resolution | 210 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 96% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.57x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum 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 | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 660g (1.46 lb) | 506g (1.12 lb) |
Dimensions | 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") | 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 75 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.3 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.9 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 799 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 500 images |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 4 x AA | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/MMC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $0 | $522 |