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September 02, 2007
[ REVIEW—PENTAX K100D SUPER DSLR ]
Price: $900 with Pentax 18–55mm lens
Highly recommended
The low-down: This is the highly regarded Pentax K100D with two additional features – in-camera vibration reduction and automatic dust removal from the sensor light path. This is a 6 megapixel single lens reflex camera with a robust body and good ergonomics. Image processing is outstanding, producing detailed and accurate photographs. The Pentax lens is as good as any kit lens, which means that it is optically and mechanically acceptable. The combination of camera and lens works quickly and focuses accurately. The vibration reduction is effective, and being in-camera means that it works with all lenses. This is important because it makes additional lenses much cheaper than those for Nikon or Canon where the image stabilisation is in the lens. The automatic dust removal is a desirable feature in a digital SLR. The camera uses AA batteries and uses rechargeable NiMH batteries frugally. Factor in the additional cost of a charger and four batteries because they are not supplied.
Like: The value-for-money of this camera makes the competition look either greedy or inefficient. There is nothing cut-down or under-done about the Pentax.
Dislike: This has the loudest mirror/shutter slap of any camera. This suggests that there might be some hidden parts where costs have been saved at the expense of ultimate refinement. Also, for some reason, Pentax set the default saturation and contrast absurdly high. It is easy enough to adjust but it would be better if the defaults were more realistic.
Verdict: This is a case of a good camera getting better. The vibration reduction and dust removal are worthwhile improvements to the K100D and well worth the little extra money. No compact or super-zoom pseudo SLR comes within cooee of the quality in this package. Some may fear that 6 megapixels are not enough but the fact is that 6 million well processed pixels will produce high quality A3+ prints – do you need more? Highly recommended.
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Posted by terry at September 2, 2007 08:00 AM
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Comments
Thanks for the review of the K100D Super!
One thing to note is that the K100D has in-body vibration reduction. The K110D was the model without sensor-shift stabilization. The 2nd additional feature in the K100D Super was adding support for the new Pentax SDM lenses. Thanks.
Posted by: 1001noisycameras at September 4, 2007 06:46 AM
Hi,
Having just procured a K100D Super I am keen to now whether I can use some existing lenses that I had for my old Pentax MV?
G Cox
Posted by: Glen Cox at December 22, 2007 12:42 AM
Glen: There isa Pentax lens compatibility chart at
http://www.pentaximaging.com/products/cameras/lenses/compatability_chart.jsp
TL
Posted by: Terry at December 22, 2007 02:28 AM
Terry
I have had the K100D Super for five months and have found it a brillant camera. I am looking at purchasing a macro lens as I take alot of flower photos. I can't decide between a Tamron SP AF 90mm f2.8 DI macro, Pentax D FA 100mm macro f2.8 or the Sigma 105mm EX DG macro f2.8. What do you recommend.
Regards Brad
Posted by: Brad at February 11, 2008 07:47 AM
Brad: I have tried the Tamron and the Sigma and they are both excellent lenses. You can buy either with confidence. I haven't tried the Pentax but my guess is that it will also be a good lens. All these prime lenses with macro capabilities are very good indeed and I would be inclined to make a choice based on things like smoothness of zoom and focus and general finish and appearance. Go for the one that feels and looks the best to you. Optically you won't go wrong with any of them. TL
Posted by: Terry at February 11, 2008 09:13 PM
I also have the K100D and am very pleased with it. One question though - I read regularly that the 'Saturation' and other setting are set too high by default and need to be reduced. This was also mentioned in the recent K200D review. Can anyone give me an idea of what adjustments they make to these and values to make them appropriate?
Thanks!
Cameron.
Posted by: Cameron at April 3, 2008 11:00 PM
Cameron: I don't have a Pentax user manual in front of me, so I am going on memory.
When you enter the main menu you should see, near the top, a pair of icons arranged vertically. By default the top icon is selected -- I can't recall what it is called, but "tone" may be in the name. You should select the bottom icon. This is the first step in lowering the saturation.
Next you should find the setting for Contrast/Sharpness/Saturation in the menu [consult the manual] and turn them all down one notch.
You might need to experiment with the settings, but generally European eyes prefer the less vivid appearance whereas it seems that to Asian eyes the more vivid the better.
TL
Posted by: Terry at April 3, 2008 11:14 PM