Hands-on with Pentax's new lineup, including the white Pentax K2000

Let's just say this straight out: the white Pentax K2000 is one of the hottest DSLRs we've ever seen. It's seriously lustworthy. Considering how great the reviews have been, we'd say it's definitely worthy of a spot on your list if you're in the market. Pentax's less-interesting P70 and E70 were also out -- they look nice enough, for being pretty ordinary. Check it all in the gallery!

Gallery: Pentax CES 2008 hands-on

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[vasu @ Jan 8th 2009 4:24PM]

The K2000 with one of pentax's 40mm pancake lens is a really awesome compact, walking around setup.

[Dyranios @ Jan 8th 2009 4:25PM]

Good God that thing looks like it was carved from Mount Olympus by Zeus himself...

[Justin @ Jan 8th 2009 4:31PM]

Holy schneikers that is an ugly freakin camera.

[Andrew @ Jan 8th 2009 4:35PM]

I'm with you on this one.

[Dustin @ Jan 8th 2009 4:41PM]

I'd say if the editors think that's one of the "hottest" DSLR's they've seen, I question their taste ... a lot. It looks nice for the plastic-fantastic Wii generation, though.

[Steve @ Jan 8th 2009 4:49PM]

I don't know how they could think that cheap plasticy looking thing is "Hot".

[Joseph @ Jan 8th 2009 4:52PM]

I think it is because big tele's are white. So this references big tele and :: = lustworthy.

For me, it's a pentax...if it was nikon or Canon or apple it would be revolutionary and a long time coming.

[Srini @ Jan 8th 2009 4:56PM]

Cannot believe someone got paid for putting that color on it!! Holy schnikeys!!

[Hel @ Jan 8th 2009 4:55PM]

True dat! I managed to snag the black one (with kit lens and flash) for Xmas. It is a very nice camera, for the price. It is an entry-level dSLR - so it's not going to be able to compete outside of it's class (so I definitely wouldn't call it 'lustworthy'), but it does quite well. The size and weight is great. The fact that it can use any k-mount lens ever made is even better. Upon getting the camera, I had friends, family, and even mere acquaintances offering me glass they found in their attic, garage, etc.

But I'd never go for this white one. Looks like it fell all the way out of the tippity-top of the ugly tree.

[ACM @ Jan 8th 2009 5:06PM]

You guys have obviously never used a big ass black DSLR outside in the direct sunlight for very long. White is functionally WAY better. Just the idea of a black DSLR is stupid... no reason for it at all. If Canon made a white body I would scoop it up in a heartbeat!

[Johan S @ Jan 8th 2009 5:09PM]

It's good for wildlife photography. The wildlife will look at it's reflective whiteness and then you can take a picture before they run away.

[ADAM @ Jan 8th 2009 5:28PM]

@Johan S

Really? I guess that's why all of Canon big L's perfect for wildlife are white.

[Cass @ Mar 9th 2009 11:04AM]

You can still grab this in black for cheap at amazon, $399: http://todaysepicdeal.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/pentax-k2000-102mp-digital-slr-camera-39999/

[Josh @ Jan 8th 2009 4:36PM]

so that's what storm trooper costumes get recycled as...

[STINK @ Jan 8th 2009 4:42PM]

I'm hungry for Oreos now...

[ColonelSmith @ Jan 8th 2009 4:44PM]

So... beautiful... can't... look away

[Wolfticket @ Jan 8th 2009 4:45PM]

That would go nice with an L-series telephoto.

[Peter @ Jan 8th 2009 4:45PM]

It looks more of an off white. I was hoping for a bright arctic white.

[Will @ Jan 8th 2009 4:48PM]

I like it. Also, imagine shooting with one of these amidst a group of other photographers at a wedding or something. I guarantee the subjects would be more likely to look at you. Of course you could just wear a Carmen Miranda fruit hat and get the effect.

[andy @ Jan 8th 2009 4:57PM]

reminds me of a stormtrooper

[Ryan Waddell @ Jan 8th 2009 5:12PM]

Sweet baby jesus is that thing ever ugly. After seeing how banged up my black DSLR gets, I'd hate to see what would happen were I to pick up a white one. Reminds me of Nikon's silver D50, back in the day.

[Nate @ Jan 8th 2009 5:22PM]

For some reason, the posts up until now have amused me a great deal more than more than usual.

Therefore I say: +1 to you all.

Except for that andy guy who was the second to bring up the stormtrooper bit.

[ACM @ Jan 8th 2009 5:22PM]

I don't care what the general consensus is here. I have been waiting for a white DSLR for a while now. I can't think of any reason that you would make a black DSLR, lens or lens hood... especially a lens hood. It just doesn't make any sense. Your attracting unneeded heat to something that is often subjected to hours in the direct sun. Its the same reason that L telephotos are white.

I think camera manufactures are playing it safe right now. The only reason that I DSLR is shaped like a DSLR is because film needed to load in one end and be stretched across the back, exposed and then rolled up on the other side. Its a form factor that were all used to but doesn't need to be anymore. Just like we don't need the sound of a shutter anymore.

10.2 is perfect for entry level... most pros could make do with 10.2. Body based shake reduction. Dust removal sensor. All good stuff. The only things that I would want would be more auto focus points and higher ISO but im way beyond this camera and I think 5 autofocus points and 1600ISO (expandable to 3200) is good enough for the people buying this camera.

If I was looking for a entry level DSLR this one would be on the list of possibles for sure.

[JLe @ Jan 8th 2009 5:33PM]

I disagree with the shutter sound comment... There's still a shutter inside of the camera. The sound is the mirror moving to let light onto the sensor, thus making the sound. Plus, the sound provides good auditory response to let you know that your camera is functioning properly (that's how I figured out my old film SLR was broken, the shutter was stuck). But I agree with the rest of your comment.

[ADAM @ Jan 8th 2009 6:03PM]

@JLe

So you mean to tell me that you haven't ever heard a moving part that was quiet? It definitely doesn't need to sound like it does. I have listened to digital imaging specialist who have been with digital since day one say that we don't need the sound.

All you would have had to do was take the lens off and you would have been able to see that you shutter was stuck.

If someone innovated and made it quiet DSLR, it would be a major selling point for wedding, wildlife and photojournalism photographers. The same way the Leica system was for this same reason back in the day.

[Ryan Waddell @ Jan 9th 2009 2:36PM]

I read somewhere (of course, I have no idea where, now) that Canon's L series lenses don't need to be white anymore (if they ever actually did). Whatever process it was that made the bigger lenses more susceptible to heat damage is apparently no longer the case. I've frankly never read any plausible explanation of why they were white in the first place, other than "it will attract less heat". Nor have I seen any tests conducted by third parties proving that being white helps the lenses any. Yes, the L lenses have fantastic optics... But then, so do Nikon's kickass telephotos (which are black). But, let's just say that white lenses DO serve a purpose... If making the BODY white served any useful purpose, wouldn't the big poppas of the photography industry (Nikon, Canon) be making white professional bodies? And for that matter, why would Pentax only make a white body in their intro-level DSLR?

[kthung @ Jan 8th 2009 5:44PM]

It really is just a love it/hate it kinda thing. Personally I hate it, but that's ok because at least there still is a black K2000 option if white isn't your cup of tea.

Either way, while some argue that a white dSLR is good for keeping cool in the sun, the fact that the camera and lens are white causes light to reflect off of it which can affect the exposure. So it's kind of a trade off.

@ACM I agree with JLe. The shape of the dSLR is necessary to accomodate the mirror box since dSLRs still predominantly rely on optical viewfinders not electrical view finders (EVFs) or the lcd screen. The only reason why cameras like the Panasonic G1 are able to have that form factor is because they skimp on the optical viewfinder and have an EVF instead. Personally I'll stick with the current dSLR form factor. It feels more secure with less of a chance of your camera slipping out of your hands.

[ADAM @ Jan 8th 2009 5:53PM]

But the manufactures like Canon and Nikon who make the majority of our high end DSLR's haven't experimented with different form factors in DSLR's yet so you wouldn't know if it feels more secure or not. Not many projucts had held onto the same form factor as long as DSLR's already have... change is coming eventually. Your exposure comment is ridiculous BTW. Light reflecting off of camera and lens onto where?

[drunkensei @ Jan 8th 2009 6:16PM]

White is the new black. I likes.

[Steve @ Jan 8th 2009 6:46PM]

"I don't know how they could think that cheap plasticy looking thing is "Hot"."

It just occurred to me that I wrote that comment on my white MacBook which I think looks great. Go figure.

[Wwhat @ Jan 8th 2009 7:21PM]

Why do medics need DSLR's?

[White Camera is Limited to 3,000 @ Jan 8th 2009 8:28PM]

This white entry model dslr is limited to 3,000 cameras and only available for sale in Japan. This Glossy white camera is a marketing tool to generate free publicity. Look at normal Km or K2000 specs & features and you'll find it includes "Toy Camera Mode". Ridiculous! Pentax used to make feature rich weather sealed cameras like K10D and currently K20D. Now they are adding to their lineup low budget dslrs in glossy white which creates press coverage thats both bad and good. As they say ANY PRESS is GOOD PRESS. Why didn't your author mention this glossy white camera is only available in Japan Market and Limited to 3,000 units?

[JC @ Jan 11th 2009 10:59PM]

It is NOT only available in Japan. There will be limited quantities in the US and Europe (trust me, I work for the company).

[balls @ Jan 8th 2009 9:45PM]

I love the look, but a couple things:

1) Looks like their trying to capitalize on Canon white L signature.
2) If your out and about shooting, white dslr is going to stick out more than the ubiqutous black bodies.

[Arkenklo @ Jan 9th 2009 4:15AM]

OMG ITS WHITE!

[superhobo @ Jan 9th 2009 5:42AM]

Ugly.