Pentax K200D gets reviewed

Pentax's K200D has been out and about for a little while now, but if you're still undecided about taking the plunge on the mid-range DSLR, you may want to pay a visit to Photography Blog, which has just put the camera through its paces. On the whole, they seem to have come away pretty impressed with it, saying that it offers a "substantial number of improvements" over the previous K100D, which they say was already an excellent camera to begin with. In addition to the bump to 10-megapixels, the site seems to have been particularly impressed by the camera's new Sv shooting mode, "greatly improved battery life," and some new dust and water-resistant weatherproof sealing. On the downside, there's still no Live View mode, but considering the price (around $600 street), it seems like this one is a solid bet.

[i961vw @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:01PM]

First glance, Nikon D800 came to mind.

Not-so-bad price on this though.

[i961vw @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:22PM]

Nope. I meant the D800. LCD is the main similarity, but really, they aren't THAT alike.

http://www.photographytips.com.au/images/technology-for-cameras.gif

[jordan turpentine @ Jul 3rd 2008 3:12PM]

it is competitively prices to the sony a300/350 with lens. The best thing and most overlooked thing in the sony line is the a200 ($500 w/ lens everywhere) which has all the quality of the 300/350 (metal undercasing, good glass etc) without live view. For $700 w/ lens I would be looking at the big two's hit low end cameras (xsi, d60/80)

[KilgoreTrout @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:10PM]

It really seem like a sure bet.
Worth to further investigate anyway.

[Shinigami @ Jul 3rd 2008 4:25PM]

I just don't get these "we made a cheaper DSLR but failed to make it smaller...again..." products.
Where did Sigma DP1 go? Did it vanish? Or did it never exist in the first place? Neither. Which proves that...

A compact digital photo camera can have DSLR-sized matrix and remain in the body of a compact digicam, providing a very good image quality.

Why don't camera makers finally get it that not everyone thinks "digicompact" should mean "crappy image quality" and "huge chassis of camera" doesn't equal "I'm going to get one because its COOL!!!"

Cheap DSLR doesn't make you a pro photographer. Expensive compact doesn't do that either but its smaller and easier to carry around xD

Thats just my small small opinion.

[Hagel @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:47PM]

Add a big lens onto these smaller DSRLs and then tell me you'd like them too make it smaller, the XTI is already to small for lots of people and I see many getting the v-grip just to make it comfortable to hold.

[Shinigami @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:19PM]

http://www.sigma-dp1.com/
Can it get any better?
Yes! It can! Make a good UI and good controls with some "auto" modes for the noobs of us!
I never had any problems with my camera grip. The Canon Ixus 90Ti. The small compact camera without any "holder" or anything. Its not about having a "grip", its about camera being a small device without the need of larger lens.

But that sigma better learn optical zoom is a must... I'm waiting for DP2 and if it cures its "child diseases", I'll get one. Or two...

[omnicloud @ Jul 4th 2008 6:33AM]

With a much larger sensor in DSLRs, you also need much larger lenses and focal lengths to have a large enough image circle to cover the sensor/film plane. The Sigma DP1 probably has a fixed focal length because the lens needs to cover more area and a zoom would make it non-compact. The engineers said the lens was the hardest part of designing the DP1.

Sure your IXUS has no problem with no grip, but imagine a compact at that size, no grip, attatched to a lens with a focal length greater than 300mm. No not equivalent, actual 300mm focal length. Not feasible.

Compacts do have great quality, after all it's the photographer, not the camera. But simply stuffing a DSLR's components into a compact has a lot of drawbacks. Lenses are too heavy and unbalanced, image processing is slower, framerates are slower. A lot of a DSLR's bulk has more important components than you think. Compacts have their place and SLRs have theirs. It's just what you choose to use.

[N @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:41PM]

The DP1 is a mixed bag at best in terms of image quality. Yes, at low ISO settings its resolution is pretty much unmatched among compact cameras, but beyond it just can't compare to cheaper DSLRs. Plus, the DP1 doesn't have the option of a zoom lens, and the camera really doesn't leave its compact origins when it comes to performance or ergonomics.

DSLR's are big for a reason - they use the space for larger sensors, bigger batteries, and can accommodate a wide variety of lenses - fix focals and zooms included. I'm not suggesting that the DP-1 is a bad camera, nor am I saying that all compact cameras offer poor image quality, but in reality you have to accept the size limitation of DSLRs and understand that your trading pocket-ability for flexibility and generally superior image quality.

P.S. The DP1 didn't have a DSLR size matrix; only a sensor larger than those normally found in compact cameras.

[CaptSaltyJack @ Jul 3rd 2008 6:50PM]

Hagel knows what he's talking about. Trust me, you don't want a smaller camera body on a DSLR. Many basic lenses weigh around a pound or so, you want a substantial camera body to counteract that weight to give a good balance. Put a 2-lb telephoto on your camera and you definitely don't want a compact DSLR!

[Shinigami @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:28PM]

1. They advertise DP1's sensor size as bigger than some DSLRs.
2. I never shoot in ISO 800 or higher.
3. Never had any problems with the compact camera grip. Its not 3kg, ya know? Its small, compact and you can hold it with 1 hand. Yeah, DSLRs need grip. Because they are HEAVY like hell (compared to small cameras).
4. 3x optical zoom is a must for any compact camera but ultra-wide lens by default should be an option too... Maybe they have small lens kits? xD
5. I'm not trading compact size just for pure image quality and flexibility. I never use that flexibility and don't need it, but I do need pocketability and don't want to trade it for image quality.
6. DP1 needs a mayor upgrade in "auto" modes (lots of them), in UI (should be simpler), and in optical zoom department. If it happens, I'm bought.
I want superior image quality but I don't want to trade pocketability for anything. I'll even carry 2-3 batteries in the backpack and be happy with 200 shots per battery.

I don't want telephoto lens, I don't want huge lens packs. I don't need either of it. I just want higher image quality in a compact camera body.

But nobody, except for Sigma, made such a thing. I am not a professional and don't want to pretend I am (and don't want to spend thousands on lens kits).

[Shinigami @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:35PM]

Oy hey they plan to make DP2 AND DP3 later this year! Just found that out. Might have zoom... I'll have to wait and see.
Only time will tell what will be more popular - compact camera with fixed lens (possibly with zoom) or DSLR giant camera with change-able lens.

[wodheila @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:35PM]

Agree w/all your points. I got the canon G9 and have been happy. Fits in the fron pocket of my pants nicely.

[threefingeredlord @ Jul 6th 2008 8:02PM]

However, as other's have repeatedly said, when you have a bigger sensor, to get more "zoom" you need a bigger (and correspondingly heavier) lens.
If the sigma had the 3x "zoom" you are looking for, it would have to have a much physically larger lens, which would entirely defeat the purpose of the body being small, and make it very uncomfortably to handle.
The compact cameras you see with large zooms only manage that with small lenses because they have tiny sensors...
Sorry, but the camera you seem to be looking for just isn't going to happen any time soon.

[Pete @ Jul 3rd 2008 10:27PM]

Shinigami:

For now at least, you're just going to have to accept the trade-off between size and image quality. Grips aside, DSLRs can only get so small because of the mirror mechanism, and quality pocket camera's can only get so small because of their larger sensors.

Sigma's DP-1 has a fix focal lens, yes, but I think more disturbing is its small max aperture of f/4. In other words, Sigma had to sacrifice so much space in the DP-1 to accommodate an APS (C) sensor, that it was left with zero room for a zoom, or even a moderately fast fix focal lens. I think for these reasons, compact cameras will remain in a lesser league in terms of image quality.

Also, you don't need to be a professional to own a DSLR anymore. Nikon's new offerings are not only well built, but their also damn small and easy to use; and while its a stretch to call the D40 a pocketable camera, you're simply not going to find comparable image quality in a compact package (for a reasonable cost).

[dana @ Jul 4th 2008 12:10AM]

I just picked one up, still very new to me (

[dana @ Jul 4th 2008 12:24AM]

I just picked one up, still very new to me,

[happy_penguin @ Jul 4th 2008 1:27AM]

I'm glad to see Pentax back in the game. They have a rich history of fine 35mm cameras and the competition is needed. I love my Nikon but the market shouldn't be dominated by Canon and Nikon.

[John Bailey @ Jul 4th 2008 7:41PM]

Agreed. I started off with a K1000. great camera. Not a single automatic function in the whole thing. I built up quite a collection of good second hand lenses too.. Until some git swiped my bag.

I still have a few Pentax lenses lying around. Winder if they would work.

[bnelson82 @ Jul 5th 2008 12:31AM]

I love my K100D Super and I strongly recommend anyone looking for a "budget" dSLR take a look at what Pentax has to offer. You might be surprised.

[kei @ Jul 5th 2008 5:38PM]

Just got the K200d a few weeks ago, after following the rumors and reviews from all the way back to last November. Time well spent because the camera is GREAT!

Taken over 500 shots so far and I am still on the first set of Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries. Every lens I have now and in future will be stablized thanks to the in-body shake reduction. I like the high quality body and feels good in my hands.

The weather sealing is something I don't yet need but sure will come in handy when I'm on vacation.

[Joe @ Jul 5th 2008 9:50PM]

I have had my K100D Super for about 6 months now, and love it! You can pay for the big names, Nikon and Canon, (I've shot with both), but in the end, you can't beat Pentax for quality, value, and just plain uniqueness. They are like the Apple and Nintendo of the camera world. Just my 3 cents.

[Bill @ Jul 19th 2008 10:34PM]

Joe,
I have just bought a Pentax K200D SLR camera and seem to find that you cannot view the pictures on the screen. I specially wanted to be able to review the picture as soon as I have taken it.
Am I correct in sayng there is no play back of actual picture?
Bill

[MrF @ Jul 27th 2008 10:53AM]

@ Bill
You can (didja read the manual?) There's that button that looks like a "play button" on a VCR remote or whatever. Push that and you'll be able to review the photos. Also there's an option to allow you to view photos for a few seconds after you take them.

This aside I love my K200D! I'm not a pro, and I wanted something better than a standard point-and-shoot, but nothing that would break the bank. Gotta say I'm satisfied so far. It's a wonderful camera!