Pentax K2000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera

Introducing: Pentax is a very good entry-level Digital Camera, the Pentax delivers excellent photo quality in a body that is streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively for the less advanced.

At least Pentax is a great choice for Digital Camera, and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you are upgrading to capture sports, kids, or pets, the Pentax may capable for it.

Avid photographers who want full creative control over their images should consider a Digital (single-lens reflex) Camera. The Pentax is a one of models offer the advanced features that experienced shooters need.

Pros:
High quality (sturdy feeling)
Well designed
Superb Image quality
No pattern noise at high ISOs (looks more like film grain)
In body image stabilization

Cons:
No image orientation sensor (if you hold portrait style have to manually rotate)
No red focus confirmation dot (still has green dot in viewfinder at bottom)

Who should buy the K2000? Anyone also considering entry level Nikon or Canon DSLRs. This is fully competitive, but offers in body image stabilization that works with any lens (old and new). Nice feature set at a great value.

The auto focus of this camera is improved, focusing more precisely in low light than previous Pentax models, and also works with the new SDM lenses. Auto white balance is also improved. It does much better under tungsten light than some previous Pentax cameras.

The shake reduction is highly effective, as much so as most in lens systems. About 3 f-stops for me. This is a handy feature because it works with ALL lenses. You don't have to keep buying the same feature for $100 to $500 every time you buy a lens for which you want stabilization. Not to mention, when a new body comes out you get an improved stabilizer. With an in lens system, you have to replace your lenses to get improved stabilizers.

Even though this is a no frills system, it is very capable for those advanced amateurs or pro's looking for a compact body to use with the Pentax Limited prime lenses (compact lenses offering outstanding image quality). The big two haven't invested many resources in prime lenses suitable for APS-C sensors (by far the best selling dSLRs), Pentax has bucked the industry trend with their superb DA Limited series lenses.

Pentax K-x 16202 Digital SLR Camera

Introducing: Pentax is a very good entry-level Digital Camera, the Pentax delivers excellent photo quality in a body that is streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively for the less advanced.

At least Pentax is a great choice for Digital Camera, and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you are upgrading to capture sports, kids, or pets, the Pentax may capable for it.

Avid photographers who want full creative control over their images should consider a Digital (single-lens reflex) Camera. The Pentax is a one of models offer the advanced features that experienced shooters need.

Pentax K-x 16202 Digital SLR Camera with DA L 18-55 and 50-200mm Lenses (White) is good, the economies taken in production to meet the entry-level price point are generally well chosen, and if you are making the leap from a Pentax film camera to digital, you can use your old lenses (with varying functionality depending on the lens series.) The ability to use NiMH rechargeable AAs rather than expensive proprietary batteries is a nice plus. Only real quibble is that the readout in the viewfinder is a bit hard to see in bright light.

Control functions are systematic and easy to learn, a weak point on many digital cameras. Both the kit lenses are a little soft wide open, especially the 18-55, but crisp up nicely with even a little stopping down. Recommended, and not just because of its low price.

Pentax K20D 14.6MP Digital SLR Camera

Introducing: Pentax is a very good entry-level Digital Camera, the Pentax delivers excellent photo quality in a body that is streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively for the less advanced.

At least Pentax is a great choice for Digital Camera, and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you are upgrading to capture sports, kids, or pets, the Pentax may capable for it.

Avid photographers who want full creative control over their images should consider a Digital (single-lens reflex) Camera. The Pentax is a one of models offer the advanced features that experienced shooters need.

If Pentax were a bit more serious about increasing the sales of their cameras to first-time Pentax buyers, they'd be making some changes to their marketing strategy. It's unfortunate that with most consumer/professional camera reviews, the Pentax products get dinged in relation to their competitors when they shouldn't have to be. You can see this in the Consumer Reports review of DSLRs and other reviews such as PopPhoto.

The problem is that these reviews are performed with tested cameras at their default settings, and Pentax chooses to "compromise" the performance of their cameras by requiring custom adjustments to bring about the true potential of the product. The K10D took a hit with its lower-contrast, soft and dark pictures when in default mode. Change the settings and you have a camera every bit in step with its competition at the time. Now the K20D suffers the same fate with the decision to make Noise Reduction-OFF the default setting.

Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR

Introducing: Pentax is a very good entry-level Digital Camera, the Pentax delivers excellent photo quality in a body that is streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively for the less advanced.

At least Pentax is a great choice for Digital Camera, and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you are upgrading to capture sports, kids, or pets, the Pentax may capable for it.

Avid photographers who want full creative control over their images should consider a Digital (single-lens reflex) Camera. The Pentax is a one of models offer the advanced features that experienced shooters need.

Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video (Body Only)

Pros:
Rugged, full weather seals. Rain, snow, or dust won't slow it down.
Compact Size with a magnesium alloy shell of stainless steel chassis.
Selection of lenses designed for the APS-C imaging sensor
Shake reduction with every lens
Ergonomics
External Mic in video mode
Very quiet shutter
Industry first Composition Adjustment and horizon level (separate features)

Cons:
Battery life in Live View/Video mode.
Not a beginners camera unless you have a strong desire to learn about photography
High ISO performance could be a bit better

What previous Pentax users will notice:
Refinement, refinement, refinement
Low light autofocus is fast and accurate (inline with the competition now)
AF-Continuous is fast, but not class leading.
Ergonomics different from previous K10d and K20d (maybe good, maybe bad depending on your position)
Insignificant change in image quality from K20d
Can disable long shutter noise reduction for shots 30 seconds or less
Excellent sensor dust removal

Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR

Introducing: Pentax is a very good entry-level Digital Camera, the Pentax delivers excellent photo quality in a body that is streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively for the less advanced.

At least Pentax is a great choice for Digital Camera, and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you are upgrading to capture sports, kids, or pets, the Pentax may capable for it.

Avid photographers who want full creative control over their images should consider a Digital (single-lens reflex) Camera. The Pentax is a one of models offer the advanced features that experienced shooters need.

About Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lenses (Black) I recently upgraded to the K-X from a Panasonic FZ50. I wanted a lightweight camera that could shoot in low light. (I purchased the 50-200mm kit, since this telephoto is significantly lighter than the 55-300mm.) I was drawn to the K-X's low noise profile at high ISOs. The first thing I noticed upon using the camera is that the K-X is very responsive and fast. The controls and menus are intuitive and very easy to navigate.

Image Quality: I was pleased with the first images out of the camera, letting the K-X choose the exposure values. Good clarity, exposure, white balance, and color value. No discernible chromatic aberration. I have also used shutter mode when I want a narrow depth of field. The camera seems to create a pleasing bokeh. In scenes with flowers and fruit stalls, the colors are rich and vivid. The in camera digital filters were an unexpected treat. You can get creative with this camera w/o resorting to Photoshop. I shoot a lot of landscapes, and K-X produced decent results. Compared with my earlier camera, the K-X seems to have a much wider dynamic range. The relatively brighter sky does not cause the camera to underexpose the land.

I have some questions about the white balance and color space in landscape work. However, with some tweaking via the accompanying Pentax Digital Camera Utility software, I have been satisfied with the results. While exploring this, I noticed that I actually prefer the default color space to Adobe RGB, which suggests that Pentax has worked hard to produce a pleasing image right out of the camera. The supplied software seems very flexible compared to an earlier version of Silky Pix. I love the fact that I can modify the white balance and exposure value of JPEGs, in addition to the other processing options. The software would be enhanced if one could use it to apply the camera's digital filters. Then you wouldn't have to drain the battery to let the camera do the processing. Another enhancement would be to include a digital grad filter. But perhaps this is too much to expect.

One of the features of this camera is that it can combine multiple images to create an HDR. I use HDR a great deal in my work. However, the HDR images from this camera seemed lifeless and washed out - especially the stronger HDR2. I will continue to experiment with this, but probably will stick with combining images in the HDR software I use.

One flaw that may point to less than optimal factory conditions that K-X seems to suffer from dust issues. The first camera I received showed multiple spots on the images after I changed the lens in very clean, indoor conditions. I returned this camera, and the second camera immediately showed dust inside the viewfinder, which thus far I have been unable to remove. The dust removal system did remove some other dust that appeared on the sensor. While the viewfinder dust does not affect the image, it was annoying to see it there on the first day of use. After reading about DSLRs and dust, I have picked up a Giotto Rocket Blaster, which is a tool that can be used to blow dust off the sensor. Since the Panasonic had a fixed lens, dust was never a problem. By Bradford "oneiros11" (Eugene, OR USA)

Pros:
Low noise at high ISO
Light weight - even with 50-200mm lens
In camera digital filters can unleash your creativity
Excellent quality images
Wide Dynamic Range
Good value

Cons:
Battery Life
HDR washed out
Dust issues

Pentax *istDL 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with

Introducing: Pentax is a very good entry-level Digital Camera, the Pentax delivers excellent photo quality in a body that is streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively for the less advanced.

At least Pentax is a great choice for Digital Camera, and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you are upgrading to capture sports, kids, or pets, the Pentax may capable for it.

Avid photographers who want full creative control over their images should consider a Digital (single-lens reflex) Camera. The Pentax is a one of models offer the advanced features that experienced shooters need.

A Costumer review by M. K. Buike (Seattle, WA) about Pentax *istDL 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL Digital SLR Lens, I made the decision a few months ago that the time was right to buy a digital SLR. I considered a number of models. What sold me on this one was that I am able to use my very old, but very good, lenses.

I had 4 Pentax ME Super bodies from the 1980's. My lenses also date from that time. The manual was not very helpful in figuring this out. It does require a setting change and one can shoot in only manual focus mode with aperture priority. It's very much like shooting with the old ME's but with a 6.3 megapixel digital image as the result.

From the menu, go to "Custom Setting," scroll down to "Using aperture ring," set to "Permitted."

Pentax K200D 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera

Introducing: Pentax is a very good entry-level Digital Camera, the Pentax delivers excellent photo quality in a body that is streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively for the less advanced.

At least Pentax is a great choice for Digital Camera, and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you are upgrading to capture sports, kids, or pets, the Pentax may capable for it.

Avid photographers who want full creative control over their images should consider a Digital (single-lens reflex) Camera. The Pentax is a one of models offer the advanced features that experienced shooters need.

A Costumer review, There are several reasons why I chose the Pentax K200D over similar models from other manufacturers:

1. Weather sealing -- Pentax claims their camera is the only environmentally sealed camera in its class ("starting DSLR"). Nice to know it's there, even if I don't plan on intentionally testing it out!
2. Saving High quality JPEG and RAW at the same time (RAW+). Some of the other models I was considering didn't allow RAW + High JPEG, only medium JPEG.
3. Very high build quality. This thing feels like it's built like a tank. After reading literally hundreds of user reviews from Canon owners, Nikon, etc. the general consensus was their bodies (and cheap lenses) felt a little flimsy. I must admit, I went to the stores and tried out their cameras (the entry DSLR) and I felt the same way.
4. Popular Photography's preview of the K200D said it best: "Mate a tank with a SLR body..." or something to that effect.
5. AA batteries. I know some people consider this a downside, but decent 2500mha AAs are extremely cheap and work great. If I ever run out of juice, I know I can hit up practically any store for a recharge.
6. You can mount any lens Pentax has ever made on this camera. Of course, you may not get all the features, but the consistency of the lens mounting was a plus for me.
7. In-body stabilization - A real biggy for me, as this translates to any lens you buy for the system! It has already saved several of my shots.
8. It's an APS-C sensor -- this discounted the Olympus line immediately.

Pentax K-5 16.3 MP Digital SLR

Introducing: Pentax is a very good entry-level Digital Camera, the Pentax delivers excellent photo quality in a body that is streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively for the less advanced.

At least Pentax is a great choice for Digital Camera, and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you are upgrading to capture sports, kids, or pets, the Pentax may capable for it.

Avid photographers who want full creative control over their images should consider a Digital (single-lens reflex) Camera. The Pentax is a one of models offer the advanced features that experienced shooters need.

Some Costumers said the noise level in the high-ISO images really is as excellent as the technical reviews say it is. This means that you can use a higher ISO number and get results equivalent to other cameras at lower ISO numbers. You can take your shot with either a faster shutter time (better motion freezing) or smaller aperture (better sharpness, etc) or just enjoy the reduced noise. This puts the camera at an advantage over all other APS-C cameras and a few of the full frame cameras.

The movie mode is a mixed bag. It has the 1920x1080 at 25fps setting, as well as 1280x720 at 30fps settings, and lower settings too. The 25fps setting is often quoted as a major problem, with videographers wanting to shoot 23.976fps as a "cinema" mode, but it takes only a bit of video conversion to change the frame rate to 23.976 and resample the 32k s/s stereo signal to match.

Color gradient linearity. A partly subjective criteria, not an easy item to quantify, but not too hard for a professional photographer to see. This is the quality of a color image which makes it as lifelike and genuine-looking in the shadows and highlights as in the midranges. A face is a good choice, especially a baby's face - a fair skinned baby should have subtle colorations in the midranges perceivable because their skin is so thin it is nearly transparent. The shadows should look like skin in shadow, not various types of dirty brown, and the highlights should look like brightly illuminated skin not just brightly-colored areas. Being able to set the K-5 with 14-bit linearity may be the key to its terrific color gradient linearity.

Auto-focus. When shooting a still subject the K-5 is near perfection. It is fast and positive in bright light, slower but certain in fairly dim light. If it fails to find a focus in autofocus mode, it will not acknowledge the shutter press. The focus-assist LED is excellent and works well for darkened rooms, but only for distances less than about 5 feet, above that it gets a little less reliable.

Pentax K-r 12.4 MP Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Red)

Introducing: Pentax is a very good entry-level Digital Camera, the Pentax delivers excellent photo quality in a body that is streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively for the less advanced.

At least Pentax is a great choice for Digital Camera, and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you are upgrading to capture sports, kids, or pets, the Pentax may capable for it.

Avid photographers who want full creative control over their images should consider a Digital (single-lens reflex) Camera. The Pentax is a one of models offer the advanced features that experienced shooters need.

Some costmers said " Pentax K-r 12.4 MP Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Red)" is perfect for someone, it just delving into to DSLR world. It takes great low light photos up to 1600.

Stabilization built into sensor. Pentax K-r 12.4 MP Digital SLR Camera allows to use all old glass lenses with stabilization.(check the voltage before you put an old flash on a DSLR as some are too high to use with the newer cameras). Pentax AF200T and Vivitar 285 both work in manual mode. This mainly means you have to manually set the f-stop on the camera to match the power of the flash.