Decision tools · Compare
KF vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable; only the KF is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
KF — Landscape & Outdoor: The Pentax KF is a rare thing — a weather-sealed DSLR with in-body stabilisation and an articulating screen at an accessible price. Video is modest at 1080p/60p, but for outdoor and landscape photographers who prefer optical viewfinders and want real weather sealing, the KF delivers in a format that is increasingly hard to find.
A5100 — Casual & Travel: The A5100 is one of the smallest APS-C mirrorless cameras ever made. Its 24MP sensor, phase-detect AF, and selfie-friendly flip screen pack remarkable capability into a shirt-pocket-sized body. No EVF or hot shoe limits it for serious use, but as a compact travel camera or beginner's first mirrorless, it punches well above its price on the used market.
Who should buy what
KF (2022)
is the right camera for you if…
- Outdoor and landscape photographers who want weather sealing at an accessible price
- DSLR users who want IBIS and an articulating screen without switching systems
- Pentax K-mount lens collectors who want a modern body for their glass
- Photographers who prefer the natural feel of an optical viewfinder
A5100 (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | KFPentax · 2022 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £849 | £200Best |
| Sensor | 24.2MP APS-C CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | SAFOX 13 phase-detect AF with 11 points | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | In-body Shake Reduction (SR II), up to 5.5 stops | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 6fps | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~410 shots (CIPA)Best | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 643g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 131.0 × 101.0 × 76.0mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentamirror, 0.95× magnification, ~100% coverage | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating LCD, 1.04M dots (no touch) | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Pentax KF-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
KF
A5100
Portrait
6.1/10
5.4/10
Street
5.5/10
7.0/10
Travel
5.5/10
6.7/10
Wedding & Events
5.0/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
4.5/10
5.0/10
Documentary
5.0/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
5.3/10
4.7/10
Landscape
6.1/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
6.0/10
5.5/10
Casual
4.3/10
5.1/10
Food
5.9/10
5.9/10
Macro
5.4/10
5.2/10
Architecture
6.0/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
4.8/10
4.7/10
Fun & simple
3.1/10
4.5/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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