Pentax K10D vs Pentax KM — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Pentax K10D
36
SCORE
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Pentax · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Pentax KM
36
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K10D and the Pentax KM are both APS-C CCD DSLRs for the Pentax KAF mount, so any KAF lens you already own fits either body. The K10D arrived in 2006 as the larger-bodied design, while the KM followed in 2008 as a smaller and lighter option. The K10D measures 142 x 101 x 70 mm and weighs 793 g, against 123 x 92 x 68 mm and 590 g for the KM, a 203 g difference. The KM is the lighter, more compact body for a walkaround kit, while the K10D offers the bigger chassis. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 13, 2006 | September 22, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 142 x 101 x 70 mm | 123 x 92 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 793 g | 590 g |
| Optics | 40/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsBoth cameras use an APS-C CCD sensor, so a given lens frames identically on each body. Sensor-shift stabilisation in both bodies means any KAF lens is stabilised on either camera. The KM's 10.2 MP is 2 per cent more pixels than the K10D's 10 MP, a small difference rather than a meaningful gain for cropping. Two differences matter. The KM reaches ISO 3200, double the K10D's ISO 1600 ceiling, so it can hold a faster shutter speed in dim interiors. The K10D uses a pentaprism viewfinder rather than the KM's pentamirror, a design generally associated with a brighter view through the finder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10 MP050 | 10.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3872 x 2592 | 3872 x 2592 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
16 x 24 | 16 x 24 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 3.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Pentax KAF | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime | Prime |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 12530200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, and neither offers a built-in timelapse mode, so this section cannot separate them. Anyone who needs movie capture from a Pentax body will have to look beyond this pair. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 28/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is the headline difference, and it belongs to the K10D. It is the camera to pick if you shoot outdoors in rain or dust, because the KM carries no sealing at all. The KM's 2.7 inch LCD is slightly larger than the K10D's 2.5 inch screen, with 230,000 dots against 210,000, a modest gain when reviewing shots. Several other features match. Both have a built-in flash plus a hot shoe for an external flash, and both skip live view, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, so wireless transfer and geotagging are not options on either camera. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2100001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery life is the KM's strongest advantage. Its four AA batteries carry a rating of 1800 shots, against 500 shots for the K10D's D-LI51 pack, so the KM suits a long day of shooting away from a charger. Standard AA cells also make spare power easy to pack. Storage differs only at the margins. Both take SD and SDHC cards in a single slot, and the K10D additionally accepts MMC, which matters mainly if you hold older MMC media. Neither camera charges over USB, so each needs its own charger or fresh batteries. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / MMC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI51 | 4 x AA batteries |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 1800 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Pentax KM for travel, long shooting days and low light: it is 203 g lighter, its maximum ISO setting reaches 3200 against 1600, and its battery rating is 1800 shots against 500.
Choose the K10D when conditions get rough. Its weather sealing, pentaprism viewfinder and larger body make it the better companion for landscape work in poor weather. Otherwise, the shared KAF mount, APS-C sensor format and stabilisation make either a solid entry into the Pentax system.