Buying Advice!

Hello all, I am trying to decide between a K100D or the K10D. I will be shooting indoors mostly with no flash. I have heard that they have the same sensor and that the K100D would take sharper shots.

they certainly do not have the same sensor, the K100D shares it's 6 megapixel sensor with the older *ist line while the K10D has an all new 10.2 megapixel sensor.

The 10D is a generally more upmarket semi-pro model, it is fully capable of producing professional level results in the right hands and with the right lenses. It is larger, more robust and has a wider variety of "creative" modes for the advanced photographer.

The K100D is more of an entry level model. It has some clever features such as SR (though the K10Ds SR is supposed to be better) and it has more scene modes to suit the beginner just starting to get into SLR photography.

I cant speak for the K100 but the K10d is a big upgrade for the K100 as its pentaxs flagship model

As for sharpness i imagine the K10d would acheive better results as its a newer model. But dont quote me on that, there are better qualified people here who probably have both cameras.

Its certainly worth paying the extra in my opinion to go with something like a semi pro camera

Best of luck Pete

The only reasons to buy the K100D in prefernce to the K10D would be the lower price, if you were not contemplating making big prints (larger than A4) and if you decided you needed the 3200 ISO setting (the K10D stops at 1600).

Otherwise, every advantage lies with the K10D, which competes at a level similar to the Nikon D200 in terms of quality and specification, but with a really exciting price level.

I keep getting different answers. I was in another forum and was told the K100D and K10D have the same size sensor and that the K100 the K100D is probably better in low light due to its smaller, less noisy sensor and that the 10D crams 4 million more pixels into the same area of the chip, making them more crowded and more noisy.

I am really having a hard time deciding which camera to get. I will be shooting pictures of insides of condos. They are new construction and have low lighting. I don't want to use flash. I will be using for the internet (but in the future I plan on printing some pictures as I improve with the camera). I need a camera that will give me great sharpness (I will most likely shoot in RAW because I can edit in Photoshop). I live in Chicago so maybe the weather seals would be a good thing for me?

What you have been told is probably correct, but you've misunderstood what was meant.

Physically, both sensors are the same size - approx. 23.5 x 15.7mm - but the K100D contains only 6.1 million pixels (6.1MP) and the K10D has 10.2MP which will enable bigger enlargements, but the individual pixels have to be smaller to fit them all on the chip.

Bigger pixels are more sensitive to light and the K100D has a sensitivity up to 3200 ISO. The K10D stops at 1600 ISO. So in low light the K100D will have greater sensitivity and lower noise.

For your needs the K100D may be more appropriate.

This may be so if the sole criterion is noise at high ISO, and if the high ISO is essential to keep shutter speeds short.

However, if the lighting is really, really low, then even with shake reduction, the single extra stop you get with ISO 3200 as opposed to 1600 may not be enough to ensure sharp, hand-held shots.

In which case you're in tripod territory anyway, and then you may as well have a longer exposure, reduce the ISO and hence noise, and go for the more versatile K10D.

Yes. I have a tripod with which I will be using to shoot. I just don't want to shortchange myself by getting the K100D.

If you're going to be using a tripod, I can't see any advantage of the 100D, other than cost.

[quote="ChrisA"]especially when you take into account the fact that the SR on the K10D is supposedly worth an extra stop over that on the K100D.

If you're using a tripod it's moot anyway, buy the K10D and enjoy the best value camera body on the market. It simply can't be matched.

Hola bandit,

Whatever you have heard about sensor sizes, the K100D has a 6.1MP sensor, The K10D has a 10.2MP sensor. For your internal, no flash, building shots, the K10D would be my preference. It has a much higher dynamic range enabling the capture of much more detail than any other Pentax (and CanoNikon) DSLR.

i would go for the k10D if money isnt the issue it will give you the option to expand on your photography should you wish for many years to come.

Far more than the dating K100

Pete

Thanks. Now, if I am shooting indoors and there are lights around that can't be avoided (sometimes some of the shots wil require me to shoot a kitchen photo with low hanging lights that are on and can't be turned off). How do I reduce the glare in the final pic (the halos around the lights and bright spots that are created)? Do I use a filter?

Hi elbandido,
is there a good reason for not using flash, as it would make most of the problems you seem to be anticipating dissappear. Using the AF360 (or 540), means that you will be choosing the lighting parameters yourself. Agreed there may be some trial and error to start with, but if you have existing lights that can't be turned off, the the flash will even out the light, reducing glare.. that way you're in control.

HTH

Cheers

Liam

There is no reason for not using a flash. I am a newbie so I thought it would make the pics worse. Another thing, I can use a UV filter to protect my lens right?