Pentax K100D DSLR reviewed

Pentax certainly isn't new to the budget-DSLR scene, and its K100D is another fairly affordable offering into the single-reflex lens world. When we first got wind of this camera a few months back, our biggest excitement stemmed from the more manageable naming system, but ePhotoZine actually found quite a bit more to love about the K100D than the refreshing model name. While this unit is an awful lot like the *ist DL 6.1, that's actually not such a bad thing. The most substantial update to the 6.1 megapixel camera is the CCD-shift shake reduction system -- a first in the Pentax DSLR lineup -- that presumably helps reduce blur in moving and low-light situations (i.e. OIS). Reviewers found the system beneficial, but poorly implemented nonetheless; there's no visual indication the system is actually working or how effective it is until you view the finished image, which isn't exactly useful in the field. Also, the camera had a tough time digesting more than 3 RAW shots in succession, often forcing the operator to wait until the buffer was clear before shooting could resume. However, if those two relatively professional complaints won't apply to you, the K100D produced excellent images and was said to "perform well for its price point." While the 2.5-inch display, sturdy enclosure, 200 to 3200 ISO settings, and impressive 11-point AF system were viewed quite fondly, it should be noted that your CF cards aren't welcome here, as only the SD format is accepted, and 4 AA batteries are used in favor of a proprietary cell. But if you've been chomping at the bit to grab a DSLR on the cheap, and you can live with the, um, unstable anti-shake system, you can snag the K100D now with a bundled 18-55mm lens for $699.99.

[Via Photography Blog]

[Howard Greenstein @ Jul 29th 2006 10:40AM]

Jon Z:
If you want a N00bie camera, I have had excellent results with the Canon Digital Elf Powershot
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=11939
seems to be the latest one, I have the 4mpix.
For family and vacations, it fits a pocket tightly or a very small on-the-belt case.

[Chris @ Jul 29th 2006 11:09AM]

Why not just get a Nikon D50 or D70? Same price, better quality :)

[Spyvie @ Jul 29th 2006 12:09PM]

Just like a million other amateur photographers I still have my original Pentax K100 and a couple of K-mount lenses sitting in my closet. This new digital version looks pretty good and the price is right, but only time will tell if it can become the new de facto standard for students of photography.

I have to assume they’ve improved the difficult film loading and torn sprocket holes many of us experienced.

[shmengie @ Jul 29th 2006 12:54PM]

spyvie: no. getting that digital film in there is still a bitch and leads to torn digital sprocket holes. maybe one day...

[Jeff @ Jul 29th 2006 5:18PM]

@Spyvie,

I think you mean K1000, not K100. But as a lifelong Pentax user, I knew what you meant. :-)

[Spyvie @ Jul 29th 2006 5:49PM]

Yea I guess your right Jeff, K somthing anyway...

The K1000 is the original entry level SLR is what I'm saying

[Bizzle @ Jul 29th 2006 11:26PM]

It's a great update to an already great camera. I recently purchased the *IST DL for 2 reasons. 1. It is really cheap right now...under 375$ cheap with a lense after MIR...thats right there with a decent point and shoot. 2. Backwards compatibility with all Pentax lenses EVER. I'm shooting a 50mm prime lense right now off of a K1000D from god knows when but it shoots flawlessly.

If your in the market for a camera look carefully at the Pentax lineup as an alternative to its highly priced counterparts.

[Mister Smith @ Jul 30th 2006 12:15AM]

Chris: Actually, it's better quality than the D50 & D70. Bigger LCD, depth-of-field preview, backwards compatible with ALL K-mount lenses, and guess what, it's considerably cheaper than the Nikons. I have the *ist DL, and tried the Nikons and Canons (in the low-end SLR market), but I could actually hold the fantastic grip of the *ist; the grip on the Canons & Nikons felt like they would slip out of my hand. The were very un-substantial feeling.

Oh, and guess what--the D70, D50, *ist DL, and several others, use the EXACT SAME SONY CCD. Why pay more for the Nikon?

[GhostDoggy @ Jul 30th 2006 7:11AM]

About a month and a half ago Costco was selling a Nikon D50 kit with a pair of lenses for $100 more. The $699 price mark seems to be the bottom barrier in which true DSLRs are not willing to go below. I guess they fear it would kill the top-tier point and shoot digital camera market.

[Mike @ Jul 30th 2006 9:51PM]

I've read alot of comments from a lot of different people. They all have their point of veiw which is good. But at the end of the day you get what feels good to you. Have a look at the different camera's and see how they feel in your own hands. What feels good to one person feels totally different to another. Get on the net and read all the reveiws on the different camera's, go to the camera shops and look at all the different makes, hold them and see what feels good to you then make a choice.

[Washington DC Photographer @ Aug 4th 2006 12:34AM]

Man, that looks like one nice camera...sure is putting the heat on Canon and Nikon to stay up to speed on price and chip size! That's sure a nice upgrade to the original Pentax K1000!

John

[leland @ Aug 12th 2006 2:37AM]

The price range for this camera is really good considering all of its features. Online you can find it for right around 600 with the kit lens. I have been researching Canon, Nikon, and Pentax endlessly for the past 2 months, and I am just now realizing that all of these DSLRs are so close together in quality that it really does just come down to how it feels in your hands, and for myself, the Pentax has the best size and feel of any entry level DSLR. I do have one question though, are you going to be making large prints with the new camera that you get? 10 megapixels is way overkill, at B&H photos look for the camera resolution chart, it's very informative.

[Tyrone @ Aug 13th 2006 12:24PM]

In regard to the shake reduction system, the comment that "there's no visual indication the system is actually working" is NOT correct.

According to the manual it takes about 2 seconds for the system to stabilize, after that with the shutter button depressed half-way, a hand within a set of double parens will appear in the viewfinder to indicate the system is ready to take the picture.

I wish people doing reviews would take the time to really understand the equipment they are reviewing.

[Jim @ Jun 27th 2007 8:22PM]

There seems to be some confusion in that some people and some writers state that ALL previous Pentax lenses will fit this beauty.
The original Pentax SLR had a screw thread mount. The K mount replaced that in the late 1970s, but there are adapters for the screw mount TO the K mount.