Pentax K100D Digital Camera Review

Pentax K100D

Digital Camera Review

1.2 The Pentax K100D is one of a slew of budget DSLRs with advanced features currently on the market. The 6-megapixel K100D has sensor-shift shake reduction and an excellent autofocus system, which boasts nine cross-points. Until the K100D and other cameras in Pentax's DSLR line, autofocus specs like that were the province of pro cameras in the $3,000 and up range. The K100D is available with a lens online for 20 percent of that – in the $600 range. Add a stainless steel chassis with a combination of automatic and manual modes, and the K100D appears be a very attractive camera. Read our review to see how well Pentax implemented these impressive specs.
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Pentax K100D Review


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.
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