Pentax K100D Super gets reviewed -- better, faster, cheaper

Pentax didn't do anything too drastic when it revved the already well-received K100D to "Super" status: apart from a dust-removal system, SDM lens support, ISO 3200 mode, and a much lower price, the Super is pretty much the same as the non-Super K100D it replaced. That's apparently just fine, according to the crew over at Photography blog, who recently took the 6.1 megapixel Super for a spin and gave it five out of five stars -- they found that the dust-removal and anti-shake systems, combined with the 11-point autofocus, made for terrific pictures at the Super's $600 price point, with user-friendly features like dual LCD displays and SD card support just sweetening the pot. In fact, the only flaw PB found with the Super was that power options are limited to four AAs or two CR-V3 rechargeables -- which some might find annoying, but definitely manageable.

[Alex @ Oct 22nd 2007 1:28PM]

The non-Super K100D, w/ 18-55mm lens kit, can be had for $400 nowadays. Requires a rebate though.

[ryantrevisol @ Oct 22nd 2007 2:01PM]

I got my Non Super K100D for $350 w/o lens.

[farfisa @ Oct 22nd 2007 2:05PM]

I have the original K100D, and it also has an ISO 3200 mode.
Great camera.

[SephAlpha @ Oct 22nd 2007 2:12PM]

Why settle for one when you can have seven [reviews :P]
http://www.digitalcameratracker.com/pentax-k100d-super/

[Jonathan @ Oct 22nd 2007 2:23PM]

Yep, the K100D also has ISO 3200 mode, which is practically useless given the noise it produces. The dust removal could come in handy since the K100D is not weather sealed like the K10D is and easily picks up sand particles while on the beach. All things considered, the K100D non-super is probably the best bang for the buck out there.

[me @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:21AM]

actually, i disagree. i use both k100d and k10d, and often when i'm out with the k10d, i miss that extra stop of speed. the k100d grain is as good or better then 3200 speed film, for sure. if the color noise gets in the way, then it usually makes for a good black and white shot (and, the grain looks more natural that way to boot). but, i agree, for the cost k100d is excellent.

[aidan @ Oct 22nd 2007 2:26PM]

yeah... i bought my non-super k100d 10 months ago for $530 with lens. 600 is a much lower price?

[heyguy @ Oct 22nd 2007 2:57PM]

Dual LCDs?

[farfisa @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:08PM]

It's talking about the b/w one on top that shows how many pics are left, exposure, etc.
Some cameras (i.e. Sony's A100) don't have those anymore, putting all the info on the rear LCD.

[Jim F @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:09PM]

Dual LCDs, yes -- one on the top right of the camera to indicate settings (monochrome), and a color one to review photos and menu settings.

And the comments are correct in that ISO 3200 was available in the vanilla K100D; Pentax misworded their press release on that point, and it's been a common mistake in reviews and news postings done by folks who weren't familiar with the previous version of this camera.

[Ypoknons @ Oct 22nd 2007 4:32PM]

Plenty of people like AA's. They don't need a specialized charger, and you can use off-the-shelf batteries in a pinch.

[Dull @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:50PM]

What's sad...It's just 1.1 megapixel more than Samsung's SGH-G800 phone.

[Yem @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:09AM]

Did you seriously just compare the sensor in this SLR with the dust-speck sized sensor in a camera phone? Oh dear..

[savagemike @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:53PM]

AA are no problem... I'm running lithiums in my non super k100d and I stopped even worrying about how long they last. That's how long I've used the same set.
It's somewhere in the ballpark of months and months and hundreds of shots... that's good enough for me not to worry about it at all.
Carry a second set of lithiums if I'm heading someplace special. They are light and if/when the time comes I need them... then I fully expect that set will also last me months and months and hundreds of shots.
Also... eneloops from sanyo are quite nice if you'd rather recharge.

The double AA use will probably be even better when in 5 years or so I give the camera away to somebody who's interested when I upgrade.
That deserving person, whoever they turn out to be, won't have to hunt down old stock batteries for an old device.
They can just pop in current state of the art AAs and take some more great pics with this great little cam.

- mike

[steve M @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:04AM]

Yeah, totally.. on my pentax *ist DS (the model before the k100d)... it takes AA's ... but i love the fact that it does.
I have four 4 packs of energizer 2500mah rechargables got on ebay that last me sometimes more than a week at a time taking hundreds and hundreds of photos within that week wether i use the flash photo after photo at a school play or i'm taking constant action shots out on the track for the yearbook. . . My nihm AA's will work in most people's chargers when away from home OR if I'm SOL and forgot a spare set, run to the store and pick up a pack... its an incredibly power efficient camera with some damn good performance. I almost hate using the school's supplied canon digital rebels cause I'm so use to the practicalness and "it just effing WORKS the way it SHOULD" feeling of my pentax slr.

[steve M @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:06AM]

And by that, I meant one set of AA's lasted me forever at a time.. 3 or 4 empties of me 2gb memory card....

[Rahul @ Oct 23rd 2007 1:06PM]

Is there a battery grip attachment available for the K100D? I like to take portrait shots...