Pentax K100D

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Auto Mode (8.0)

The Pentax K100D's “Auto Pict” mode essentially turns the K100D into a point-and-shoot. The mode’s only weakness is that it can’t turn on autofocus if it's not already on. Other than that, it automatically adjusts ISO, white balance, shutter speed, and even pops up the flash when it's needed. If autofocus is on, it also chooses the focusing pattern and mode.

 

Custom Image Presets (8.75)

Custom presets combine settings to approximate the way an experienced photographer would set the K100D to shoot a given type of photo. The K100D's algorithms do a reasonable job for each of the settings. The mode dial has six scene settings and eight more are accessible through a menu.

 

A help function describes each mode very briefly. The information isn't enough to help users move from relying on scene modes to manual shooting, but it may help users choose between the modes.

 

 

Dial
Portrait	Decreases depth of field, optimizes for skin tone, sharpens less than average
Landscape	Increases depth of field, optimizes for  greens and blues, sharpens more than average
Macro	Boosts saturation
Moving Object	Increases shutter speed to stop action
Night Scene Portrait	Uses flash for portrait, but balances exposure for background
Flash OFF	Just like AUTO PICT, but the flash off

 

Night Scene	Uses long exposures. Pentax recommends a tripod
Surf and Snow	Exposure compensates for very bright backgrounds
Text	Exposes for black text on white background
Sunset	Optimizes postcard-type sunset colors
Kids	Stops action, with good skin tones
Pet	Stops action, with good fur tones
Candlelight	Shuts off flash, and keeps white balance warm
Museum	Apparently, just like Flash OFF

 

Drive / Burst Mode (5.5)

The Pentax K100D has a burst mode, which cranks along at the rather slow clip of 2.5 frames per second for 5 shots. Competing cameras go a little faster – 3 fps is available – and shoot longer bursts. The short burst rate is likely to frustrate users. The K100D also has  a self-timer and accepts remote control units.

 

Playback Mode (7.5)

Users can choose to magnify images up to 12x, shows images full screen, or display nine thumbnails at a time. In full-frame mode, the K100D shows full exposure information and image parameters, or a histogram, or the image by itself. It includes a slide show function with intervals settable from 1 to 30 seconds. Playback mode also provides the interface for printing and access to the K100D's post-processing “filters.” Read more about the K100D’s filters in the Picture Effects Mode section.

 

Movie Mode (0.0)

The Pentax K100D has no movie mode. Current DSLRs are not designed to make movies.