Pentax K100D Digital Camera Review

by Patrick Singleton
Published on May 10, 2007

Navigation
Intro	Testing / Performance
Physical Tour	Components
Design / Layout	Modes
Control Options	Image Parameters
Connectivity / Extras	Overall Impressions
Conclusion	Sample Photos
Specs / Ratings	Photo Gallery

Model Design / Appearance (7.0)

Pentax is careful about design, adding touches of color to their cameras and maintaining visual themes throughout camera lines. The *ist DSLRs, which the K series cameras replace, have a science-fiction look to them, with sweeping contours that, in places, seem pure style – they don't accommodate camera parts or improve handling.

 

The Pentax K100D and its stable mates have pulled back from that, with a more conventional, utilitarian design. The stylistic flourishes, such as the diagonal ridge on the grip, also improve the camera's function.

 

The K100D, the K10D and the K110D look very similar, and they clearly share many components. This design consistency benefits the K100D, because it shares the higher-end K10D's sturdy body parts and excellent fit and finish.

 

Size / Portability (8.25)

At 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.8 inches, the Pentax K100D is on the small end of DSLRs, though many price-competitive compact cameras are smaller. The size difference between the cameras does not affect portability – the slightly more petite Nikon D40x isn't easier to pack or carry. The difference may influence how comfortable the cameras are to use, however. The Nikon's grip cramps the lens mount, which may make the fatter Nikon lenses uncomfortable to use. The K100D shouldn't present that problem because it has more space between the grip and the lens mount, and Pentax lenses are generally compact.

Handling Ability (7.75)

The Pentax K100D is comfortable to hold. The right hand's grip feels very good, with the diagonal ridge on its front a real benefit for comfort and security. The left side's grip surface will be helpful for users who buy Pentax's compact lenses. As noted above, the Pentax K100D is big enough for users with average-size hands to use comfortably.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (7.0)

The Pentax K100D has only one control dial, so setting aperture and shutter speed in manual mode requires pressing a button and turning a dial. It's not as convenient as having two dials. On the other hand, the K100D's buttons, control dial, and mode dial are mechanically solid. They appear durable and are easy to use. The Shake Reduction switch is large – perhaps it's so big because the marketing department wants the feature to be prominently displayed. Still, it's easy to use, and the switch makes it easy to tell if the feature is turned on.

 

Menu (7.0)

The K100D's menus are about as straightforward as the rest of the camera. The text is easy to read and most of the important stuff is higher on each list than more obscure items. There are an appropriate number of menu options for an entry-level DSLR.

 

Shooting Menu
Image Tone	Bright or Natural (Natural is better for post-processing and accuracy)
Recorded Pixels	Image size in pixels
Quality Level	RAW plus 3 levels of JPEG compression
Saturation
Sharpness
Contrast
Auto Bracket	Set to bracket up to +/- 2 EV, in 1/3-EV increments
AE Metering	Set metering pattern
Switch Dist Msr Pt	Set Autofocus sensor pattern
Autofocus Mode	Single or Continuous
Shake Reduction	Input focal length of non-AF lenses, so SR system can accommodate them

Setup
Format	Format SD card
Beep	Allow Pentax K100D to make annoying sounds during use
Data Adjustment	Set date and time; set format for date and time
Language	Set interface language to English, French, German, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, Russian, Korean, Chinese (Traditional/Simplified) and Japanese
Guide Display	Activate help screens for each mode
Brightness Level	LCD brightness
Video out	Analog PAL or NTSC
Transfer Mode	USB for printing or downloading
Auto Power Off	Set to turn off camera when it sits unused
Folder Name	Create and name storage directories on SD cards
File #	Set image file numbering
Sensor Cleaning	Use for manually cleaning the sensor
Reset	Return to default settings

Custom Settings
Noise Reduction	On/off, meant for long exposures
Exposure Setting Steps	1/3 or ½ EV
ISO Correction in Auto	Set range of ISOs available in Auto modes
Link AF point and AE	Exposure is measured at focus point
Meter Operating Time	Sets length of time light meter stays active
AE-L with AF Lock	Locks exposure when focus is locked
Recordable image No.	Shows either SD card capacity or burst capacity
OK Button when Shooting	Select a function for the OK button in shooting mode
Superimpose AF Area	Show active AF site in viewfinder
AF Remote Control	Set behavior of autofocus when shooting remotely
FI with S Lens Used	Allows focus indicator to function with screw-mount lenses
Using Aperture Ring	Allows shooting with lens's aperture ring set to something other than A (or with no lens attached)
Release when Charging	Allow exposures when flash is not fully charged
Preview Method	Show depth of field preview in viewfinder or on the LCD
Magnification to Start Zoom Playback	Set magnification the camera jumps to when the magnification button is pressed
Manual White Balance Measurement	Target area set to whole screen or spot area
Color Space	Set to sRGB, Adobe RGB
Reset	Return custom functions to default

 

 

Playback Mode
Playback Display Method	Set data to show in playback, activate highlight warning
Instant Review	Set interval for review after shooting
Preview Display	Show histogram, highlight warning
Digital Filter	Change color, distort image, change brightness or saturation
Slide show	Show images in sequence

 

The Fn (or Function) button brings up menus in both shooting and playback modes. A press of the button brings up a representation of the 4-way controller, with labels for each button. Here are the options in shooting mode:

 

Up button	Drive mode
Down button	Flash mode
Right button	ISO
Left	White Balance

 

Here are the options for the function menus in Playback mode:

Up Button	Printing (DPOF) settings
Left Button	Digital Filter (colors, distortion, blur or brightness)
Right Button	Slideshow

Ease of Use (8.0)

The Pentax K100D is laid out clearly and neatly. Both the physical interface – buttons, dials and displays – and the menu structure are logical and straightforward. Flash compensation is buried in the menus, which suggests the K100D isn't meant for serious flash shooters. The Function button adds an extra step to get to ISO, White Balance, Flash sync and Burst Mode. Those are very basic controls, and it would be better if they came up in a single action, rather than in two steps. The method Pentax chose makes the camera back simpler than some competing cameras: the Nikon D80 (actually, it's a step up from the K100D) has a couple of labels for each button because they have separate functions in shooting and playback modes. That might be more confusing than the K100D's setup.

 

Pentax also provides an excellent, thorough, and well-written manual.