Pentax K100D Super
Announced in 2007, the K100D keeps up the proud, bare-boned tradition of the K1000 film SLR: solid, reliable, no-frills photography. A great student camera, the 6 megapixel body features vibration reduction, support for new SDM lenses as well as older, manual-focus Pentax glass. The latter feature will delight anyone with a closet full of lovingly stored Pentax AF, KAF, or KAF2 mount lenses.
The small body features a large 2.5 inch screen, a bright viewfinder, and effective autofocus. Aimed at entry-level photographers, a wide array of Scene modes is available. Startup time is fast, as is shot-to-shot time when capturing JPGs. A RAW option is available, but shooting time slow considerably slower. The camera only accepts SD cards up to 2 megabytes; buy SDHC cards instead to enjoy higher capacity.
…lightweight, durable camera was fun to use…
…a lightweight, yet solid camera, that’s going to make it easy for the Pentax film upgrader or the newcomer to digital, to gain confidence in the DSLR world.
…much more like its big brother the K10D than I expected. In short, this is one amazing little camera.
The main new features are the Dust Removal system from the more expensive K10D model, which helps keep the CCD sensor free from dust, support for SDM (Supersonic Drive Motor) lenses, ISO 3200 mode and a much lower retail price than the original K100D had when it was launched back in May 2006
There’s even a separate display window on top of the camera displaying key shooting options in addition to the main LCD — a rarity on cheaper dSLRs.
The SMC Pentax DA 18-55mm lens I tested it with is equivalent to 27-82mm on a 35mm camera. The Pentax K100D is available from around £370 with lens kit making it excellent value for money for a 6 megapixel digital SLR camera with anti-shake sensor
The Pentax-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system in the K100D Super effectively offers a two- to three-stop advantage for sharp, blur-free images even under difficult shooting conditions
Although I have a deep and abiding respect for the many marketing people without whom I could not do my job, I have to wonder at the sanity of the marketing genius that came up with the name for Pentax’s previous line of digital SLRs.
The K100D Super is the latest in a slowly evolving line that goes back to the *ist DS of 2004, and as such feels like an old friend.
The main new features are the Dust Removal system from the more expensive K10D model, which helps keep the CCD sensor free from dust, support for SDM (Supersonic Drive Motor) lenses.