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How is a K100D better than a K10D


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Yes, I know, another K100D vs k10D question.

 

If I've got this figured out, the advantages the K100D has over the K10D are:

 

1) it's a little cheaper.

 

2) it's smaller and lighter so with a pancake lens it is almost a "pocket" camera.

 

3) smaller file sizes due to 6mp sensor.

 

4) lower noise at some higher ISO levels due to 6mp sensor.

 

5) In six weeks I won't be saying to myself "I wish I'd waited for the K20D"

 

That's it as far as I can see. Have I missed anything?

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Bill,

 

No, you have not missed much, although I'm not sure about your reasons 4 or 5. I think the claim that the K10D's noise is significantly worse than the K100D's at, say, 1100 or 1600 is exaggerated. I have shot a LOT of pictures with both cameras at those high ISO values and I just didn't see a huge difference -- certainly not a big enough difference to make me regret getting a K10D. And no matter what you buy today, you may find yourself wishing you had waited for the k20d. That's just the way things are.

 

Of course, you might want to consider the K100D Super, although I guess it's a tad more expensive than the K100D non-super.

 

Will

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The K10D also has faster continuous shooting (3.1 fps vs. 2.5 fps) and it's unlimited in JPEG mode (vs. 4-5 frames for the K100D).

 

The price differential is *so* small right now. I did a lot of research and found that I could get the K100D-Super kit for $420 and the K10D kit for $586 with a 2gb card (http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=308647&t=679491).

 

I got my K10D w/lens and mem card yesterday and wow is it awesome. I'm sure I'll feel a little regret when the K20D appears, but I think the $160 extra was worth it for a sealed body, faster continuous shooting, 2gb card included, and rechargeable Li-Ion battery.

 

Though I'm sure I would be just as happy at the moment if I had got the K100D-Super :-)

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Opps. I meant to say K100D Super. Thanks.

 

I know there are varying opinions about how importatnt the noise differences between the K10 and

the K100, but if I didn't mention it someone else would have. Just wanted to make sure I listed all

"issues."

 

With #5 I was trying to be facetious. In retrospect, I realize that it is a real issue for a lot of people.

I've looked at higher end Canon and Nikons and don't see anything that a K20D would likely add to a

K10D that would matter to me, so I don't intend to wait for "the next great thing."

 

At $950 CAN, the K10D with the 16-45 is only $100 more than the K100D Super with the same lens.

The regular K100D is only fifty less than the Super, so it makes even less sense.

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>> At $950 CAN, the K10D with the 16-45 is only $100 more than the K100D Super with the same lens. The regular K100D is only fifty less than the Super, so it makes even less sense.

 

Is that the 18-55mm kit lens, or an upgrade?? If it's the kit lens, wow $950CDN is *steep*, about US$960 these days. If you're anywhere near the border, I'd hop over and buy it in the US, where I got it for about $400 less!

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Bill, that's right but read the rest :-)

 

(a) There's a $25 instant coupon code (WIN25), to get it down to $686.58

 

(b) There is a $100 manufacturer's rebate on any K10D or K100D-Super kit bought until January 31, 2008. http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=PKK10D1855

 

I have just bought using this exact method, and the kit they ship is indeed the authentic North American version, so the rebate is valid. I've sent it in.

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It also has a tinier viewfinder so your eyeballs don't have to move around so much.

 

In all seriousness, the K10D has tons of upgrades from the K100D, so really what you have left over is smaller size, cost, and a little more simplicity, including scene modes (you skipped that one). Besides we're expecting a K200D as well, aren't we? K10D is really looking like a bargain right now.

 

#2 is debatable, it still won't be very pocketable.

As Obi Wan might have said, #3 is only an advantage depending on your point of view.

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>> #2 is debatable, it still won't be very pocketable.

 

I tried both in person at a store. The K100D/Super *is* lighter (about 30% less weight for body+batteries). But definitely not pocketable! I have an ultra-zoom camera which is significantly smaller than the K100D/Super again, and it's also still not pocketable.

 

Both felt good to hold and play with, but the K10D's extra width felt good to my largeish hands.

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Just get the K10D or wait for the K200D / K20D..

 

Also, no way the K100D Super WITHOUT a lens is a 'pocket' camera. No less WITH any lens on it..

 

Another thing, not so sure about the 'lower noise' at higher ISO levels comment either. I have only seen quite the opposite but, yes the K100D does have ISO3200 - if it's good or not is another question someone else can answer.

 

In six weeks, possibly a bit longer, you WILL be saying, I should have waited

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To summarize, the "benefits" of a K100 over a K10 are all debatable, leaving only the price

difference, which really isn't very much at the moment? So if the price difference isn't a deal

breaker the K10D is the way to go, unless you just have to have the smaller body of the

k100.

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That was my conclusion, Bill. Weight, about $150, and *maybe* ISO 3200... those were the advantages of the K100D-Super, as I saw it.

 

(As for batteries, I found that you can get good Pentax K10D batteries for about $11 shipped on eBay, which is hardly more than a set of 4 NiMH AAs.)

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Only you get to decide how much the price difference and weight difference mean to you, Bill.

 

The viewfinder difference, mentioned above, is not trivial.

 

Both cameras are capable of making excellent photos. However, I would not personally recommend a K10D to someone who plans to shoot exclusively jpegs (and particularly at the manufacturer's default settings). I believe the K10D really shines in RAW.

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I have not been familiar with prices where you shop, which strike me as very different from what we get from a good New York M.O. dealer like B&H, 17th Street, or Adorama. At this time, B&H, for example, offers the K10D body at $700, and the K100D Super body at $470. That is a significant difference for many people. A $100 rebate is currently offered by Pentax for either camera- but I think that is for a US address only. The regular kit zoom lens runs about $60 or $80 more. A better lens will of course cost more, to the same degree with either camera.

 

The K10D is a professional camera, in build, control layout, sophistication of adjustments, and additional features. The two really cannot be compared.

 

But- does the K100D have advanced features beyond its price class, and complementary to the K10D? Yes. Does it produce fine images? Yes. It may also have an edge over the K10D in its out-of-camera JPEG quality, which is exceptionally fine. Its 6mp capability is very well optimized and more than adequate for most peoples' needs.

 

Its practical smaller size advantage is real. Is it a "pocket camera"- not really but kinda. With a compact lens like one of the Limiteds, it really can go into a very large coat pocket, I do it so I know. It can also go easily into a sturdy-build "fanny" belt pack in warmer weather. With a K10D, forget it. Get out the shoulder strap. Many people later acquire a professional model and the compact model still serves them as a backup, and when compactness is an issue.

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Bill P. writes: "To summarize, the 'benefits' of a K100 over a K10 are all debatable, leaving only the price difference, which really isn't very much at the moment? So if the price difference isn't a deal breaker the K10D is the way to go, unless you just have to have the smaller body of the k100."

 

You've got it.

 

Oh, there's one other small difference that should perhaps be mentioned: the K100D has kiddie modes, and the K10D does not. Personally I consider this a significant advantage for the K10D, but people who want to own a DSLR but don't want to learn how to use it like to have the kiddie modes.

 

The difference in the way P mode works is an advantage for the K10D, not for the K100D.

 

The price difference has always been the primary advantage of the K100D. Not a knock against the K100D which is a nice camera. But we're not talking about a compact, fixed-lens camera here, which is a different type of beast altogether and, as such, in addition to the price difference, has certain advantages of its own vis a vis a DSLR: compactness, tremendous depth of field, high-quality superzoom lenses that don't require you change lenses, tilt-swivel LCDs, the ability to take video, noiseless operation, etc. The K10D actually has some specific advantages when compared, say, to a Nikon D300; but that really is one of the glories of the K10D, and even so, I still think that the main one is price. The main advantage of the Nikon D40 is price. The main advantage of the Canon Rebel XTi is price. The main advantage of the Pentax K100D is price. A good product at a great price is its own reward.

 

When I bought my K100D a year ago, the K10D was just about to be released and when it did come out, it was a fair bit more expensive. Now the K10D goes for about the price I pd for my K100D, maybe less.

 

K100D, super or not, is a nice camera, don't get me wrong. And I absolutely understand that, for some people, even the small difference in price is significant. But for those fortunate enough to be able to consider the purchase of a K10D right now, it's probably THE best deal on the planet. In my opinion, having used them both, unless you really like having a slightly smaller camera, and again, aside from the difference in price, there is really NO reason not to buy the K10D.

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Yes, Michael K. has added the other thing that is really worth mentioning -- in fact it might be the only real advantage of the K100D: it takes AA batteries. I'm embarrassed that I didn't think of that myself, since, when I was making my decision to upgrade from the K100D to the K10D, the ONLY thing about the K10D that made me hesitate was its use of a proprietary battery.

 

Now, this is a debatable advantage of the K100D. It certainly SEEMED like a big deal to me at first. But I've changed my mind. I now think that the K10D's proprietary batteries are a strength of that model. But this may be a matter of taste or personal pref. I can certainly understand someone liking the AA battery angle and I'm glad Michael brought it up.

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Hi -- I'm another owner of both the K100 (my first DSLR) and the K10.

 

I would only repeat what has already been said above: Unless the small price difference (of $150 to $100 or so) really, really matters to you, get the K10. It's a much better camera. And if you get really into (or are already into) this photography thing, as most people here are, $150 or so is not a big deal -- a single quality lens is itself several times more than that.

 

That having been said, the K100 is a fine camera capable of doing just about anything a good photographer needs a camera to do. No bad choices.

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