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Pentax K100D

 
Pentax K100D front
 
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Pentax K100D overview

Pentax K100D is Pentax's Entry-Level DSLR camera originally announced on December of 2006. The camera includes a 6MP, CCD APS-C size sensor with a maximum resolution of 3008 x 2008.

Pentax released the more recent Pentax K100D S (Read Full Comparison) in an effort to improve this camera.

The K100D places at #73 out of 80 in Entry-Level DSLR cameras & all-around #671 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. Remember to check our Smart camera finder to see camera rankings based on your customized requirements.

Photography Glossary

The following is a chart of different criteria used in the scoring system.

Pentax K100D family

The Pentax K100D has a history of related cameras. Down below, you can find all previous and brand new models along with main features.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Pentax-KF front thumbnailPentax KF
K100D vs KF
24MPAPS-C6.0 fps2022
Pentax-K-70 front thumbnailPentax K-70
K100D vs K-70
24MPAPS-C6.0 fps2016
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Pentax-K-S2 front thumbnailPentax K-S2
K100D vs K-S2
20MPAPS-C5.4 fps2015
Pentax-K-500 front thumbnailPentax K-500
K100D vs K-500
16MPAPS-C6.0 fps2013
Pentax-K-50 front thumbnailPentax K-50
K100D vs K-50
16MPAPS-C6.0 fps2013
Pentax-K-r front thumbnailPentax K-r
K100D vs K-r
12MPAPS-C6.0 fps2011
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Pentax-K-x front thumbnailPentax K-x
K100D vs K-x
12MPAPS-C5.0 fps2009
Pentax-K200D front thumbnailPentax K200D
K100D vs K200D
10MPAPS-C3.0 fps2008
Pentax-K100D-Super front thumbnailPentax K100D S
K100D vs K100D S
6MPAPS-C3.0 fps2007
Pentax-K100D front thumbnailPentax K100D6MPAPS-C3.0 fps2006
Pentax-K110D front thumbnailPentax K110D
K100D vs K110D
6MPAPS-C3.0 fps2006
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Pentax K100D Pros and Cons

Here is a shortlist of benefits and drawbacks of the Pentax K100D based on aspects that are typically viewed as essential in a camera.

built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
does have Top LCD display
has built in flash
has manual focus
has phase detect autofocus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
saves RAW formats
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors (660 grams)
lack of video recording
no HDMI port
no headphone port
no liveview feature
no mic port
no Time Lapse function
pixelated screen (210 k dot)
resolution not great (6MP)
screen is fixed
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
small screen (2.5 inch)
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Pentax K100D Sensor features

The spec of the sensor in the Pentax K100D is 23.5mm x 15.7mm (APS-C). The 369 mm² sensor has the capability to resolve 3008 x 2008 pixels using aspect ratios of 3:2. The camera features Image Stabilization (Sensor based). Sensor stabilization is preferable than digital stabilization as the latter can cause cropping.

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The CCD sensor has 6MP and features a native ISO range of 200 - 3200. RAW photos are saved which means that you have more margin for error.

The graphic below shows the K100D's sensor size compared to other common sizes. The K100D sensor has a crop factor of 1.5 and is presented in green.

Pentax K100D sensor size Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

To get an idea of various aspect ratios, you can refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Pentax K100D dimensions

Pentax K100D is 1.46 lb (660 gr or 23.28 oz) & the dimensions of the camera is 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8"). The weight of normal Entry-Level DSLR camera is 540 gr so the Pentax K100D is more heavy as compared to various competitors.

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The following is a pic of the Pentax K100D next to a soda so you're able to get a feel for its size.

Pentax K100D dimensions scale

The top view here will illustrate the button arrangement on the K100D.

Pentax K100D topview buttons dials

Pentax K100D Lens features

The K100D works with the Pentax KAF mount and has 101 lenses available in the market. Here is a few of the lenses we have in our database that will fit the K100D.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Sigma-30mm-F1.4-EX-DC-HSM-Pentax-KAF lensSigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM30mmf/1.4 430g
HD-Pentax-DA-40mm-F2.8-Limited lensHD Pentax DA 40mm F2.8 Limited40mmf/2.8 80g
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Pentax-smc-DA-15mm-F4-ED-AL-Limited lensPentax smc DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited15mmf/4.0 212g
Schneider-PC-Super-Angulon-28mm-f2.8-Pentax-KAF lensSchneider PC-Super-Angulon 28mm f2.828mmf/2.8 565g
Sigma-70-300mm-F4-5.6-APO-DG-Macro-Pentax-KAF lensSigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro70-300mmf/4.0-5.6 550g
Carl-Zeiss-Distagon-T2-28-Pentax-KAF lensCarl Zeiss Distagon T 22828mmf/2.0 520g
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Voigtlander-40mm-F2-Ultron-SL-II-Pentax-KAF lensVoigtlander 40mm F2 Ultron SL II40mmf/2.0 200g
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Pentax K100D Connectivity

The K100D has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Cameras which include NFC or Bluetooth compatibility can easily be controlled wirelessly through smartphones. You are able to transfer pictures and usually change settings without the hassle of connecting straight with the camera.

Several apps also give a Liveview and click the shutter in case you aren't close to the camera. If the camera comes with a HDMI port, it could be hooked up to an external screen. Virtually all cameras will allow you to charge the battery using the USB socket.

Photography Glossary

Pentax K100D Video features

Pentax K100D doesn't record video. In case you are shopping for a camera to shoot just pictures, it is not a problem.

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Pentax K100D Weather Sealing

There is no weather proofing for the Pentax K100D so you have to be cautious in rainy or dusty conditions.

Pentax K100D Display and Viewfinder

The Pentax K100D includes a 2.5" fixed screen having a resolution of 210k dots.

Sadly the screen is not a touch screen. The K100D also has a Top LCD display so you can quickly look at the camera's settings.

Pentax K100D screen and viewfinder Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The ViewFinder details for Pentax K100D are below:

  • ViewFinder Optical (pentamirror)
  • Coverage 96 percent
  • Magnification 0.57x

For bright outdoor conditions that make the camera screens washed out and hard to see, viewfinders are pretty helpful.

Pentax K100D Shutter features

Pentax K100D continuous shooting speed is 3.0 frames/s. The max shutter speed is 1/4000 sec.

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Pentax K100D Flash and Hot shoe features

Pentax K100D features both inbuilt flash together with external flash ability. The maximum flash sync speed is 1/180 sec.

Pentax K100D Autofocus features

Pentax K100D features both Phase Detect AF as well as Contrast Based AF. Phase Detection autofocusing is a lot more quicker and exact as compared to Contrast Based autofocusing.

It includes 11 focus points to select from. Pentax K100D supports manual focusing in case it is required during low light conditions or you need more precise control on focusing.

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Pentax K100D Battery life

The general Entry-Level DSLR camera battery life is 589. Pentax K-x offers the highest possible (1900) battery life within this group of cameras.

Following is a list of Entry-Level DSLR cameras having the strongest battery life:

ModelVisualizeBattery LifeRAWNFCBluetooth
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Canon-EOS-Rebel-SL3 front thumbnailCanon SL3
K100D vs SL3
1070 yesnoyes

Pentax K100D for different kinds of photography

The following bar chart shows a analysis of the Pentax K100D for different kinds of photography. To understand more, have a look at the specific section below.

Pentax K100D Portrait photography factors

The Pentax K100D gets a rating of 51 which is moderate, meaning that it is relatively suited for portrait photos. Photographing portraits leans heavily to sensor dimensions, support for RAW photos together with the ability to utilize off-camera lighting.

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manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
resolution not great (6MP)

Pentax K100D Street photography information

Getting a decent score of 58, the Pentax K100D is reasonably adequate to use in street photography. A decent street photography camera gives a perfect balance of image quality plus portability.

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has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
more heavy than others in class (660 grams)

Pentax K100D Sports photography highlights

A average sports photography score of 47 means the Pentax K100D is reasonably adequate for taking pictures of sports. A camera needs fantastic autofocus and fast continuous shooting for sports photography.

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image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (6MP)

Pentax K100D Travel photography details

Portability is very important when picking a camera for travel. Over-all, the Pentax K100D gets a awful 42 as a travelling camera which is just not suitable to buy for your vacations.

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flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than others (660g)
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen

Pentax K100D Landscape photography details

For anybody who is planning to pick a camera for landscape photos, the most significant aspect will be image quality. The Pentax K100D at it's reasonable grade of 52 for a landscape camera is reasonably appropriate compared to its competitors.

Photography Glossary
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
resolution not great (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording

Pentax K100D Vlogging factors

A camera for vlogging ought to posses a articulating screen, microphone input and ideally image stabilization. Considering everything, the Pentax K100D is just not suitable as a vlog camera as it delivers a awful score of 9.

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no video shooting

Pentax K100D Alternatives

If you are shopping for replacements to the K100D, below is a collection of the top rated cameras which fall within the family of Entry-Level DSLR.

The line chart just below provides you an overview of the K100D compared to it's top scoring rivals mentioned previously.

Following are several cameras you might take a look at as alternate options. To read a thorough comparison, simply click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Make
Pentax
Model type
Pentax K100D
Type
Entry-Level DSLR
Released
2006-12-03
Body design
Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Sensor size
APS-C
Sensor dimensions
23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area
369.0mm²
Sensor resolution
6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
3:2
Full resolution
3008 x 2008
RAW images
Max native ISO
3200
Lowest native ISO
200
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points
11
Lens
Lens mount type
Pentax KAF
Available lenses
151
Focal length multiplier
1.5
Screen
Display type
Fixed Type
Display sizing
2.5 inch
Resolution of display
210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage
96 percent
Viewfinder magnification
0.57x
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Slowest shutter speed
30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed
1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed
3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash settings
Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync
1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution
None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
660 grams (1.46 lbs)
Dimensions
129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
Other
Battery ID
4 x AA
Self timer
Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media
SD/MMC card
Storage slots
1
Retail cost
$0