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Pentax K100D vs Sony A57

Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Pentax K100D front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Pentax K100D vs Sony A57 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
  • Launched December 2006
  • New Model is Pentax K100D S
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A55
  • Later Model is Sony A58
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Pentax K100D vs Sony A57 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Pentax K100D vs Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the K100D (6MP) and A57 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K100D was released 6 years before the A57 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the K100D scores versus the A57 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Sony A57

 K100D A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Pentax K100D

 A57 K100D 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012December 2006Newer by 70 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kClearer display (+711k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K100D and Sony A57

 K100D A57 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Pentax K100D vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K100D enjoys exterior dimensions of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) and the Sony A57 has dimensions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check the Pentax K100D vs Sony A57 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the K100D vs the A57.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K100D and A57 is 64 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K100D vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The pic underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K100D and A57.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony A57 to render greater detail as a result of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged K100D will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax K100D vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Pentax K100D vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K100D vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K100D Portrait photography information
Sony A57 Portrait photography information
51
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K100D Street photography features
Sony A57 Street photography features
58
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
heavier than others in class (660 grams)
75
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K100D Sports photography details
Sony A57 Sports photography details
47
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (6MP)
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K100D Travel photography details
Sony A57 Travel photography details
42
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (660 grams)
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
67
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K100D
Landscape photography with Sony A57
52
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
72
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K100D Vlogging highlights
Sony A57 Vlogging highlights
9
can't record video
77
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Pentax K100D vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K100D and Sony A57
 Pentax K100DSony SLT-A57
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K100D Sony SLT-A57
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2006-12-03 2012-09-13
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 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 16000
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 210k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 10.00 m (@ 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 660 grams (1.46 lbs) 618 grams (1.36 lbs)
Dimensions 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life - 550 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model 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/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $0 $1,000