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Pentax DSLR
Home > Digital Camera Reviews > Pentax Digital Cameras > Pentax DSLR
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Pentax K10D Digital Camera Reviewby Alex BurackPublished on December 12, 2007
 Back (7.0) The camera’s 2.5-inch LCD screen demarcates the back of the K10D. The screen sits on a raised platform that houses the majority of the controls. Running vertically down the left side of the LCD is a column of four buttons. They are, from top to bottom: menu, trash, info, and play. The right side of the camera is dense, with more dedicated controls than previous Pentax models. The real estate just to the right of the monitor – roughly halfway down the camera – houses the four-way controller, encircled by an AF point switching dial. The setup bears resemblance to Canon’s quick control dial, though it’s slightly smaller. Above the dial is an AF button, which focuses on the subject prior to metering. Diagonally up toward the viewfinder is an exposure compensation button, which doubles as the lamp for the monochrome LCD. Just below is an additional self-timer lamp and remote control receiver. Pentax placed two critical controls below the AF mode dial: the Shake Reduction switch and the function (Fn) button. At the top left, just below the slope of the viewfinder hump, is the bracketing button. Moving to the right is the eyecup, which encircles the viewfinder. Further along is the e-dial, which adjusts exposure settings. An auto exposure lock (AE-L) button sits at the topmost portion of the camera. At the bottom of the camera, to the right of the Shake Reduction switch, is a rotating lever to open the media door (on the right side of the camera). A card access lamp, which indicates when data is being written to the card, is above the card release. Left Side (7.5)
The camera’s thick right side forms the handgrip. A hinged door sits at the left, opening to the card slot.
The top of the camera is well organized and reasonably open. To the right of the viewfinder hump is an informational LCD screen. Moving toward the front of the camera is a large, silver shutter release, with the power dial formed around it. The power switch has three positions: off, on, and depth-of-field/digital preview. To the left of the shutter release is the green button, which resets exposure settings and sets the appropriate exposure in Manual mode. A small mode dial is to the far left, with a rotating Metering mode lever formed below it. A hot shoe sits atop the viewfinder hump, just in front of the eyecup.
The bottom of the camera is strictly utilitarian, though it lacks the textured rubber that blankets the majority of the body. A metal tripod socket sits below the lens axis, along the camera’s focal plan. To the left of the socket is an elongated port cover that protects the accessory battery grip connector. Farther left is the battery cover, secured by a small lever, which is somewhat cumbersome to open.
[page title="Testing / Performance"]
Comparing the outer squares with the inner squares shows a number of the color tiles match up quite well. However, several colors differ significantly, especially the blues, yellows, and oranges. This information is shown in a more quantitative way in the graph below. The ideal colors are represented by squares and the Pentax K10D’s colors by circles. The lengths of the lines connecting the squares and circles show the amount of color error for each tile.
The graph shows many of the color tiles are quite accurate, though there is significant drift in yellows and blues. This is actually quite common in digital cameras, since shifting blues toward purple and yellows toward green can enhance certain photos, such as landscapes with blue skies and green foliage. However, the amount the blues are shifted in the K10D is a bit worrisome; it can make certain blue skies look purple. Overall, the color accuracy of the K10D is decent, but not as spot-on as we’ve seen from competing DSLR manufacturers, such as Canon and Olympus.
Resolution (5.85)
The K10D proves sharpest using the 50-135mm f/2.8 lens set to ISO 100, f/6.3, and a focal length of 70mm. The 10-megapixel camera resolves 1343 lw/ph horizontally with 15.5 percent undersharpening, and 1613 lw/ph vertically with 12.8 percent undersharpening. What jumps out about these numbers is the significant amount of undersharpening applied. In fact, most settings produce images with even more undersharpening, with both the wide-angle and telephoto lenses. The amount of undersharpening means the K10D does not produce photos right out of the camera as sharply as it could. Users who want to maximize resolution must sharpen their photos through post-processing. That said, it is good the camera doesn’t oversharpen, which causes ugly image artifacts. The shots are sharp from edge to edge and show little to no sign of “ghosting” or jaggedness. Overall, however, the K10D’s resolution performance leaves something to be desired.
We test noise levels by photographing our test chart under bright, even studio lights at all of a camera's ISO speeds. We run the photos through Imatest, which measures noise levels in terms of the percentage of image detail it drowns out. The K10D does a very good job keeping noise levels low up to ISO 640. Above ISO 640, noise levels are higher. The noise itself is quite typical of digital cameras; small splotches of colors and fine gray grains. The color noise is especially distracting in high ISO images. Yet admirably, the camera keeps images quite sharp at high ISO speeds, meaning it doesn’t attempt to smooth over image noise significantly. We performed the test with the Noise Reduction setting in the Custom menu set to both On and Off. There was no difference between the two settings, which is good because the Noise Reduction is only supposed to kick in for long exposures. Overall, the K10D does a solid job handling noise levels, but not quite as well as some of its competitors. It is slightly noisier than the 6-megapixel Pentax K100D.
Noise – Auto ISO (6.62)
Still Life Sequences
White Balance (3.93)
Presets (4.32) Set to the appropriate white balance presets, the K10D is accurate under white fluorescent light (with the Fluorescent “W” setting), but poor under flash, outdoor shade, and tungsten light. This creates obvious color casts, such as the deep blue cast to photos taken under tungsten light. The only ways to get good white balance accuracy with the K10D is to manually white balance with a white card or shoot in RAW and set the white point on your computer after you shoot.
Low Light (9.01)
We also test the quality of images taken at long exposures, this time at ISO 400. The K10D can take exposures as long as 30 seconds. The camera has a bit of trouble exposing properly in long exposures, but keeps noise levels very low. Color accuracy did suffer a bit, however. We tested long exposures with the Noise Reduction setting in the Custom menu both on and off, though you can see from the graph that it doesn’t do much to the images. In fact, the photos with Noise Reduction on tend to have slightly more noise than with the setting on Auto.
Dynamic Range (7.60)
Speed/Timing – All speed tests were conducted using a Kingston Ultimate 120X 2GB SD Card, with the camera set to highest resolution and best quality JPEGs, unless otherwise noted. Viewfinder (8.75)
Pentax makes an LL-80 AF Divided Matte screen for the K10D, which is described as a “compositional screen.” The Divided Matte backdrop displays a 16-cube grid below the AF and metering brackets. The perpendicular lines are particularly useful as a standard by which objects can be vertically and horizontally justified. The LI-80 Scale Matte screen displays a notched horizontal and vertical line that bisect at the center of the frame, the Scale Matte screen is intended for macro and reproduction work. The ruled lines provide a sense of scope, and also aid in the alignment of objects. Cut into the top, outer portion of the eyecup is a horizontally-moving dioptric control, with a -2.5m - +1.5m adjustment range. The camera ships with an eyepiece cover to prevent extraneous light from entering and throwing the meter on timed exposures. Peering through the K10D’s eyecup, the following shooting and camera information is visible:
LCD Screen (6.5)  A 2.5-inch, 210,000-pixel LCD screen sits prominently below the viewfinder on the back of the K10D. The monitor, tagged a “low-temperature wide viewing field poly-silicon TFT color LCD,” lags behind its current competitors. DSLR LCDs took a collective leap this year, with most models touting 3-inch displays, composed of 230,000 to 921,000 pixels (though the pixels differ in size). The K10D also does not supply a full live view like a host of this year’s models (the Canon EOS 40D, Nikon D300, Olympus E-3, and Panasonic L10, among them), though it does offer an interesting compromise. Integrated with the depth-of-field preview control surrounding the shutter release, users can call up a “digital preview” on the LCD screen when activated in the Custom Settings menu. The digital preview presents a fleeting still image of the projected shot using the selected camera settings. The feature gets high marks for innovation and is quite helpful, but may come across to some as a bit clumsy in the context of a now live view-abundant market. Pentax reports 140-degree angle of view, which seems close to accurate at its extremes. The display refrains from solarization until it reaches the boundaries of its quoted range, but highlights in the image visibly blow out and lose detail when the camera is slightly off axis. This hinders showing images on the screen to a group of people, but shouldn’t pose a problem for examining image details. Screen brightness levels can be adjusted in the Setup menu. The LCD can be adjusted in 15 steps on a +/- 7 scale. We found images reproduced on the screen slightly more saturated and contrasty than the captured image, though sharp enough to check focus and subject details.  Monochrome LCD – We appreciate the inclusion of a monochromatic LCD screen on top of the camera. Seemingly elusive on sub-$1,000 DSLRs, informational LCDs are a nice complement to the viewfinder and color LCD display. Placed alongside the shutter release, the monochromatic screen provides an immediate glimpse of settings in near shooting position. This helps facilitate quick adjustments without disrupting workflow. The following information is visible on the monochromatic screen: - Shutter speed - Aperture - Flash Mode - Drive Mode - Exposure Bar - EV Compensation - Auto Bracketing - Flash Exposure Compensation - Battery Level - White Balance - ISO Warning - Capture Format - Number of recordable images - Multi-exposure The informational LCD sports a green illuminator light, available by pressing the exposure compensation button.  Flash (6.5) The Pentax K10D is fitted with a P-TTL pop-up flash with a manual spring release. The flash is released with a dedicated button, located on the left side of the viewfinder hump. Pentax reports a guide number of 11 at ISO 100 (in meters), which is pretty weak, but similar to other manufacturers’ offerings. The max sync speed is 1/180 seconds, limiting fill flash opportunities in bright daylight. The inclusion of a pop-up flash is convenient, even though the unit itself is not ideal. Users can compensate flash exposures -2.0 - +1.0 EV in 1/2 – or 1/3-stop steps. Unfortunately, the setting is buried in the Function menu and takes significantly more time and fumbling to access than a dedicated control would. To make an adjustment, users have to press the function button and hit the down directional control to access the specified Flash menu. Once in the menu, flash exposure compensation can be adjusted by rotating the rear control dial. The process is cumbersome and seems a bit unnecessary, since the camera includes a dedicated flash button; unfortunately, its sole function is to release the pop-up mechanism. In our testing, we found the camera’s flash to be acceptable for typical portraits (when compensated), though its limited range and minimal surface area do cast limitations. Similar to most pop-up units, the small flash face produced unappealing hard-edged shadows. The illumination was not uniform, with distinguishable falloff towards the corners at telephoto that only got worse as the focal length was shortened. Pentax curiously incorporated the autofocus assist illuminator into the flash unit, so it will need to be open to focus in low light, even when attempting to shoot using available light. The K10D supplies a variety of flash settings; options will depending on exposure mode. The K10D has nine settings: Auto, Flash-off, Flash-On, Red-Eye Reduction, Auto + Red-Eye Reduction, Flash-On + Red-Eye Reduction, Trailing Curtain Sync (Slow), Second-Curtain Slow, and Red-Eye Reduction Slow. A hot shoe sits atop the viewfinder hump, providing connectivity to dedicated Pentax flashes. The camera does not include a PC terminal to sync with studio strobes. However, there are a number of Hot Shoe-to-PC adaptors compatible with the K10D. Lens / Lens Mount (8.75) Refracting light to a 23.5 x 15.7mm CCD sensor (APS-C), lenses applied to the K10D assume a 1.5x conversion factor. Like most current DSLRs, the magnification makes it easier (and less expensive) to attain a telephoto view, though it limits wide angle lens selection to the extreme (20mm and shorter). Users can also seek out digital-specific glass, made to refract light to a cropped sensor, but options are limited. The K10D carries a KAF2 bayonet mount that accepts KA, KAF, and KAF2 mount lenses. The mount contains an AF coupler, lens information contacts, and K-mount power contacts (power zoom). According to Pentax, the following restrictions are imposed on legacy glass: S-mount lenses (42mm screw thread mount) - Mount adaptor B is needed to shoot the K10D with an S-mount lens. Once the adaptor is applied, the lens can then be fastened to the camera. S-mount lenses lack the proper connections to communicate with the camera, and have to be adjusted manually on the lens itself. K Bayonet lenses - K- and M-series lenses attach to the body directly (without the use of an adaptor), but lack the ability to communicate aperture information to the camera. A-series lenses provide automatic aperture control, but can only focus manually. 645 lenses - Manual functionality is available with the application of #38455 Adapter K. Once applied, stop-down metering is required. 67 lenses - Manual functionality is possible with the application of #37954 Adapter B 67. Stop-down metering is also required. Image Stabilization The K10D’s CCD sits on a floating mechanism that shifts to compensate for handshake and camera motion. Pentax has branded its system “Shake Reduction (SR),” and claims it surpasses other manufacturers’ efforts because it utilizes a “ball-bearing-mounted oscillator unit” that moves in three directions and grants a wider range of motion. It is advertised to provide an additional two to four stops of shutter latitude. This means a 50mm lens shot at 1/15 seconds with shake reduction will theoretically appear as sharp as an image captured at 1/60 seconds without it. We found this claim to be nearly accurate; 1/15 seconds was possible with a steady hand, and images shot at 1/30 seconds were tack sharp. The system is incredibly useful for low light shooting, and is something we hope all DSLRs will soon include. The K10D's image stabilization system can be turned on or off with a switch on the back of the camera. Currently, fellow SLR manufacturers Olympus, Sony, and Pentax comrade, Samsung, provide sensor-shift stabilization systems on select DSLR models. Pentax cautions against using Shake Reduction when panning with moving subjects, indicating it may compensate for motion intentionally included behind the subject. Olympus, on the other hand, implemented a clever mode on its E-3 DSLR, which compensates exclusively along the y-axis. This enables the camera to be moved horizontally and stabilized vertically. There is no Continuous mode on the K10D’s Shake Reduction system, meaning stabilization occurs only when the shutter is depressed, and no battery power is lost. The K10D also includes an interesting provision to manually input the focal length of older lenses so the camera can apply the proper degree of compensation. [page title="Design / Layout"]
The camera may seem a bit heavy upon initial touch to seasoned Pentax shooters; however, the weight will likely feel satisfying and reassuring. The K10D is the first Pentax DSLR that doesn’t feel like a toy; its design and moderate heft communicate its more photographer-oriented nature and allude to its dense feature set. Handling Ability (8.25) Draped largely in rubber, we found the K10D comfortable to hold and operate. The opposing curves on the front and back of the protruding handgrip are effectively balanced and neutralize the weight of the lens. The design offers a secure handle in shooting position, and allows the camera to be controlled with only the right hand (ideally when carrying). There is no vertical grip on the camera body - it comes as an optional accessory. For most of camera’s target audience, this shouldn’t be a problem, as it would have added bulk and weight to the camera body. However, most photographers quickly adjust to the convenience of a vertical shutter release.
 Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (8.5) The control interface is busier than previous Pentax designs, but still relatively restrained when compared to some models by Nikon and Olympus. There is a nice balance between the number of external controls and menu-relegated features, along with the ability to adjust some of the controls for personal preference. The assignment of controls, however, is another story. ISO, white balance, flash exposure compensation, and Drive mode are confined to the Function menu. Since these settings may be adjusted for successive shots, it’s a shame they weren’t given dedicated buttons. Three controls are accessible by the user’s stabilizing left hand in shooting position: Focus mode, flash, and RAW. The dedicated RAW button sits just beyond the base of the lens and is easily within reach of the user’s left thumb. The unique control immediately switches in or out of RAW format and is extremely well placed. The inclusion of two jog e-dials on the K10D – rare among sub-$1,000 DSLRs – helps facilitate quick exposure adjustments and navigation through settings. Many manufacturers opt for a single dial setup, which requires users to simultaneously depress a button while rotating the dial to toggle between settings. The Green button, which has become a permanent fixture on Pentax cameras, is flexible and intelligently utilized in various modes. In Manual mode, the Green button meters and sets aperture and shutter speed settings for an even middle-gray exposure. This is often a good shortcut, allowing photographers to just shift the desired setting up or down, rather than manually scrolling across the range. When using program shift in Hyper-Program mode, hitting the Green button after manually shifting exposure settings returns you to the camera’s original selection, which again saves a lot of time. The camera also includes dedicated autofocus (AF) and auto exposure-lock (AE-L) buttons. The separation of the two functions allows users to expose and focus on different areas of the composition. We also found the dedicated AF button useful when tracking moving subjects and getting a quick read on the focal distance. Menu (7.25) Similar to many Canon PowerShot and Fujifilm FinePix point-and-shoots, menu options on the K10D are stowed in two places, accessible with the menu or function (Fn) buttons. The primary menu, entered using with the Menu button, is a tabbed, linear structure organized into four categories. Graphically, the layout is similar to previous models in the line, though the K10D adds a more distinguishable background that helps delineate selections. Options appear in large, white text overlaid onto a solid gray backdrop, with a discernable blue bar that scrolls and highlights the selected options. Each menu tab carries its own color: red for Record, blue for Playback, cyan for Setup, and orange for Custom Settings, helping distinguish the various categories. Two thin, horizontal lines assume the color of the selected tab and frame the available settings along the top and bottom third of the page. The more-defined graphic interface is a welcome organizational improvement for the line, and increases visibility in bright daylight. Depressing the menu button provides access to the Record, Playback, Set-up, and Custom Settings menus. The following options are available in the Record menu:
The Playback menu:
The Setup menu:
Custom Settings options:
The function button accesses basic shooting settings in Capture and Playback mode, which are selected using the four-way controller: Fn menu (Capture mode)
Fn menu (Playback mode)
The active settings are displayed on the LCD screen for roughly 3 seconds when the camera is powered on.
Ease of Use (6.75) With a host of innovative settings tailored to knowledgeable photographers, the K10D is more complex than other sub-$1,000 DSLRs on the market. The interface is straightforward and operation can be simplified, but a solid understanding of photography is necessary to take full advantage of the camera’s design. Point-and-shooters graduating to a DSLR will find the K10D more challenging to learn than the K100D Super or other Pentax DSLRs, if only because there’s more to grasp. Like other sub-$1,000 DSLRs, however, the K10D includes an incremental range of exposure modes, spanning from full Auto (Green mode) to full Manual. A Hyper-Program mode and four semi-automatic Priority modes fill the space in between, allowing manual adjustments and overrides to automatically-set controls. The general layout of the K10D is fairly intuitive, though there are a few settings tucked in the Function (Fn) menu that will delay shooting. Dedicated external controls for those settings are common inclusions on more-expensive prosumer cameras and would speed up shooting tremendously. The Custom menu provides a text overlay below the fold, which offers a very basic description of the selected option. There really isn’t enough there to explain the setting to an unfamiliar user, but the text should help clarify abbreviations. [page title="Modes"]
Auto Mode (9.5)
The Pentax K10D has two straight automatic exposure modes. The first, tagged Green mode – now a hallmark of Pentax cameras – sits in the initial slot on the mode dial. Green mode locks out control to a point-and-shoot capacity, setting the camera for an even overall exposure. The next position on the mode dial accesses its Hyper-Program mode, which adjusts the camera for an average exposure at what’s called the Program Line. In Program mode, users have the option to shift aperture and shutter speed values using the e-dials while retaining the same exposure. Once settings have been shifted, hitting the Green button returns the user to the camera’s original selections. One of the more creative inclusions on the K10D is its Program Line, which lets users prioritize exposures in Hyper-Program mode for speed, depth-of-field, or optimum sharpness for the lens in use. When Hi Speed is given priority, the camera defaults to the fastest possible shutter speed; when Depth is prioritized, a small aperture is used to produce greater depth-of-field; when MTF is selected, the camera sets the aperture that yields the sharpest image from the applied lens. This setting can be used to great benefit, though it’s designed to assist photographers with an awareness of their equipment and the craft, not an auto setting for point-and-shooters. Movie Mode (0.0) Like all current DSLRs, the Pentax K10D does not record video. DSLRs with live preview are theoretically capable of capturing video clips, however. In discussions we’ve had with various DSLR engineers, they’ve stated that the lone obstacle standing in the way is money: roughly $100 onto the MSRP. However, most contend the $100 differential would be too much to relinquish competitively, even given the potential appeal of a hybrid recorder with interchangeable lenses. Drive / Burst Mode (6.0) The K10D’s maximum burst rate is listed at 3 frames per second (fps) for both RAW and JPEG files. Pentax claims the camera will continue at that pace indefinitely when shooting JPEGs, and for 12 consecutive RAW files. In practice, we found the camera can indeed achieve the stated 3 fps capture rate; however, it could only maintain it for the first 31 JPEGs before slowing. It continued on at roughly 2 fps for another eight images before dropping to about half its original tempo for the remainder of the burst. In RAW capture, the camera sustained a burst for 9 PEF and 11 DNG files. The 3 fps burst rate is slightly faster than most entry-level 10-megapixel DSLRs, though well-short of the pace other “prosumer” models achieve. The older Canon EOS 30D and Nikon D200, for instance, hit 5 fps, while successors to both exceed 6 fps – twice as fast as the K10D. The K10D is, however, one of the fastest DSLRs at its price point, and far less expensive than Canon and Nikon’s prosumer offerings. The Burst mode will be helpful for shooting events, weddings, or general functions, though it won’t be quick enough for sports photography. The camera’s 11 and 9-shot buffer helps in those situations, but falls short of the 17 or so most prosumer models attain. Stored alongside the burst options are settings for the self-timer and wireless remote control (optional accessory: Pentax Remote Control F). 12- and 2-second delays (with mirror lockup) can be set for either or both. Playback Mode (9.25) Playback mode is accessed with a small capsule-shaped button on the lower portion of the back of the camera. The camera defaults to single image view, recalling the last recorded image on screen. Photos can be viewed alone, with basic information, full information (smaller image thumbnail), or with a histogram overlay. Users can zoom in and scroll around images, view a thumbnail display, watch a slide show, and set a print order. Less common options allow for digital filters to be applied to captured images and RAW images to be processed. The in-camera RAW processing module is basic, yet its inclusion alone is laudable. Both PEF and DNG files can be processed in the Playback mode, with options to modify file size and compression, white balance, ISO (exposure), image tone, saturation, sharpness, and contrast. Processed RAW files can then be saved as JPEGs.
Custom Image Presets (0.0)
Like many SLRs tailored to experienced photographers, the K10D is void of Scene modes. The camera includes a collection of automatic and semi-automatic modes, but none are designed to optimize settings for specific scenarios, such as Landscape, Portrait, Fireworks, etc. [page title="Control Options"]
Manual Control Options The K10D has a complete suite of manual controls. Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO can all be adjusted in 1/2- or 1/3-stop increments. White balance, focus, and image size/compression are also variable, as are a variety of interface and image-rendering properties. Focus Autofocus (8.5) On paper, the K10D’s autofocus system is one of the most intriguing elements of its design. The camera is fitted with an 11-point TTL phase-matching system, with 9 cross-type sensors. The 11 points are arrayed in a relatively tight 3 x 3 grid down the center of the frame, with an additional point wide to either side, midway down. The selected AF sensor can be set to illuminate red over the focus area. There are two Focus modes to choose from: Single (AF.S) or Continuous (AF.C). The modes are selected with a small switch on the side of the lens mount, positioned comfortably within reach of the user’s left thumb. In general, we found the K10D’s autofocus system quite fast, but not incredibly accurate. With DA lenses it was also one of the noisiest systems we’ve ever used, and would often hunt in minimal contrast (invariably stirring up even more noise). The camera is decent in low light, provided there is a good deal of contrast in the scene. In low contrast, the K10D is not as accurate as prosumer models from Canon. The autofocus is more accurate and discerning than nearly every entry-level DSLR we’ve tested. Overall, the system shows potential – primarily in its speed – but still has a ways to go. Unfortunately, the camera body lacks an autofocus assist illuminator; instead it is built into the pop-up flash. This seems unnecessary, but won’t have too much impact on workflow beyond frustration. Manual Focus (8.25) With a bright, contrasty focusing screen and 0.95x magnification, we found focus easy to discern within the K10D’s eyecup. The matte screen shows a distinguishable snap when the subject moves into focus, and the camera provides confirmation by illuminating an AF sensor. The K10D is superior to many DSLRs in its price range in this respect, and effectively accommodates manual shooters with legacy lenses. Exposure (9.25) The K10D has 10 exposure mode options arranged around its mode dial. They are (moving clockwise): USER (custom), Green (Full Auto), Hyper-Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority, Hyper-Manual, Bulb, and Flash X-Sync Speed. The significant inclusions here are the addition of two sensitivity-oriented Priority modes; one fixes the ISO, adjusting shutter speed and aperture values, while the other offers the inverse, maintaining shutter speed and aperture settings by altering the sensitivity. An X-mode is also available, which defaults to the camera’s max sync speed of 1/180 second and allows an aperture to be set for the flash exposure. Exposures can be biased +/-3 EV in 1/2-stop steps or +/- 2 EV in 1/3-stop increments. Bracketing is available, with the number and sequence of the photos selectable by the user. Three or five frame brackets can be set. Metering (8.0) Exposures are constructed around a TTL multi-segment metering system that takes light readings from 16 zones throughout the frame. There are three modes available, selected with a ring surrounding the mode dial. Multi-Segment, Spot, and Center-Weighted metering options are available. Multi-Segment metering functions like other manufacturers’ Matrix and Evaluative systems, taking readings from a number of zones across the composition and determining the best overall exposure for the scene. Spot Metering takes a reading from the center of the frame (roughly 5 percent) or active autofocus point. Center-Weighted metering is a combination of the two; it biases the exposure toward the center but does not neglect the rest of the scene, retaining sensitivity (albeit diminishing) as it moves toward the edges of the frame. The metering timer is adjustable, and can be set to 10-second (default), 3-second, or 30-second options in the Custom Settings menu. In terms of design, the K10D’s 16-segment metering system is somewhat dated. Many competitors now feature meters that read from 35 to 256 zones across the frame. In use, however, we found the K10D supplies accurate readings in most lighting conditions. The K10D’s multi-segment setting is generally consistent with competing models in situations with a distinct key light coming from the front or side. It is thrown in some high-contrast, backlit scenes, but no more so than its direct competitors. The camera’s spot meter is right on and quite consistent. The Center-Weighted setting, however, is disappointing. It is easily fooled by backlit subjects – even in the center of the composition – and is generally less effective than its Multi-Segment setting. White Balance (9.25) A full gamut of white balance options are implemented on the K10D. Users can set it to Auto, select from eight presets, take a custom reading, or dial in a specific Kelvin temperature. Color balance performance can be viewed prior to taking the shot using the digital preview feature. Unfortunately, white balance settings are only adjustable in the Function (Fn) menu, and are not given a dedicated button on the camera body. The K10D allows white balance fine tuning along a dual-axis grid that’s strikingly similar to Canon’s implementation of the feature. The ability to tune the color balance along the blue/amber and green/magenta axis offers substantial flexibility, and should be useful for JPEG shooters. In practice, we found the fine tune correction is often necessary when using the Auto WB setting. The K10D’s Auto WB is frustratingly inaccurate, though more effective in daylight shots (and some night exteriors) than indoor scenes. Under incandescent illumination, the K10D struggles to neutralize color cast, and necessitates further corrections. The preset setting is much more accurate in these situations.
ISO (7.75) The K10D offers a selectable sensitivity range from ISO 100 to 1600 in full-, 1/2-, and 1/3-EV steps. Like other core image parameters, the K10D gallingly conceals its ISO settings within its Function menu. Perhaps more than any other setting, the relegation of ISO to a menu is extremely inconvenient. It’s an ironic omission, since engineers of the K10D clearly went to great lengths to incorporate sensitivity options and fluidity into the design, adding two priority modes that revolve around ISO. The camera includes a Sensitivity Priority mode (Sv), which allows an ISO setting to be fixed (optimizing for noise and detail), while automatically adjusting shutter speed and aperture to maintain exposure. Conversely, an Aperture and Shutter Speed Priority mode is provided, which solely adjusts ISO to retain constant depth-of-field and motion in the shot. These are both quite practical additions that are likely to become more appreciated as users familiarize themselves with the camera; however, they offer little consolation for the lack of a dedicated ISO control. The K10D includes a flexible Auto ISO setting that can be tailored to work within any contiguous slice of its 100 to 1600 sensitivity range. Unsurprisingly located in the Function menu, upper and lower ISO limits are determined using the front and rear e-dials. A warning will flash in the viewfinder when the sensitivity limit is exceeded. Shutter Speed (7.5) The K10D’s vertical-run focal-plane shutter is adjustable between 1/4000 and 30 seconds in 1/2-, and 1/3-stop increments. There is also a bulb setting for timed exposures, which disengages the Shake Reduction system. The range is fairly typical of DSLRs, though many now offer a 1/8000 max speed. Shutter speeds are conveniently adjustable on the K10D using the front e-dial, and the range shouldn’t inflict any major shooting obstacles on either end. The K10D has an X-sync speed of 1/180 of a second, limiting potential fill flash opportunities in bright outdoor scenes. Most DSLRs sync at 1/250, while some models now sync at 1/500 of a second. Aperture (0.0) Like all DSLRs, the aperture range is determined by the lens applied. With compatible lenses, the K10D can adjust the aperture electronically, using an e-dial. The K10D’s kit lens has a slow f/3.5 to f/5.6 aperture range, which carries limited low light potential. Users might be better off buying the body alone and picking up a faster prime lens (generally faster and cheaper than zooms) for available light shooting. [page title="Image Parameters"] Picture Quality / Size Options (9.5) The 10-megapixel K10D captures files natively at 3872 x 2592 in both RAW and JPEG formats. The camera writes two types of 12-bit/channel RAW files (PEF and DNG), along with 8-bit/channel JPEGs, which can be shot in three size and three compression variations. RAW + JPEGs can be simultaneously recorded in any of the formats listed above. PEF and DNG files are only offered at full resolution, while JPEGs can be captured at 10 megapixels (3872 x 2592), 6 megapixels (3008 x 2000), and 2 megapixels (1824 x 1216). Compression can be set for JPEG files to: Best (1/3), Better (1/6), and Good (1/12). RAW files (both types) can be processed in-camera, with adjustments made to image size/compression, white balance, ISO and exposure, color tone, saturation, sharpness, and contrast. We found the K10D’s PEF and DNG files differ in size. This results in a larger buffer capacity when shooting DNG, capturing 11 successive shots in a burst, as opposed to the nine PEF files it can store. The K10D is rare among the SLR pack in its inclusion of writable DNG files – Adobe’s open-standard RAW format. There’s differing schools of thought regarding the validity of the DNG format, but many are convinced its prevalence will increase. Pentax’s decision to offer both RAW formats is admirable, and again offers photographers more options for their given workflow. We hope more manufacturers follow suit. Picture Effects Mode (9.5) Along with its in-camera RAW processor, the K10D supplies a basic adjustment suite that includes saturation, sharpness, contrast, and tone corrections. These settings are useful for stylizing JPEG files, though they’re typical inclusions on most current DSLRs. However, Pentax has also included a Digital Filters component that allows for post-capture modification of JPEG images. Available in Playback mode, “digital filters” are applied to recorded JPEGs, and can be saved as new files. The following filters are available: Black and White, Sepia, Color, Soft, Slim, and Brightness. Further adjustments can be made to each filter, adding an additional arm of creativity to the renderings. For instance, when previewing the Black and White filter, the rear e-dial scrolls through the different color channels. In the color filter selection, the front e-dial moves through the various options, while the rear dial adjusts the opacity of the filter (intensity of the effect). The softening and slimming filters, along with Sepia and Brightness, can also be scaled using the e-dial. The K10D’s adjustment suite may not be its most creative element, but it includes the basic, necessary parameters, offering JPEG shooters room for playful exploration. [page title="Connectivity / Extras"] Connectivity Software (8.0) The K10D ships with two software applications: Photo Browser v3.1 and Photo Laboratory v3.1. Both applications are available for Windows and Mac platforms. Photo Browser is a typical application for importing, sorting, and printing images. Its layout is simple and organized, and the application generally intuitive. The main display is organized into four primary areas – folder hierarchy, thumbnail display window, EXIF data, and image thumbnail. Selected images are opened in a new, free-floating pop-up window, with image data listed below it. The panels can be scaled to emphasize a particular area, while the number and size of thumbnails can also be tailored. A slide show can be viewed, and opens in a smaller pop-up window, with image data superimposed over the left portion of the image. These options are fairly typical of most packaged software applications, but Photo Browser is noticeably faster and less demanding on the computer. We suspect many K10D owners will opt to use the more-powerful Adobe Bridge for organization, but Photo Browser is adequate and a wise selection when PC memory is limited. Photo Laboratory is a RAW file converter that allows automatic or manual corrections in processing. During the conversion, users can adjust white balance, exposure, contrast, saturation, sharpness, distortion, lens correction, and noise reduction using horizontal sliders. The application can show out of gamut warnings in each channel, and allows adjustments to be made to the tone curve. In general, it’s a pretty powerful application with quick performance times, and is much more competitive than Photo Browser. The RAW processor in Photo Laboratory is impressive, though conversions made alongside Adobe Camera RAW seem to lack luster and sharpness on their respective defaults. Jacks, ports, plugs (6.75) The K10D’s main connectivity hub is located on the left side of the camera body. The ports are protected by a hinged plastic door that snaps tightly shut. Three port terminals are housed within: wired remote, USB/video out, and external power (DC). A connection port below the camera supplies communication with an optional battery grip. The camera has two windows for infrared communication with a wireless remote control: one on the front of the camera, placed along the handgrip, and one on the back near the AF button. The latter is a convenient touch for photographers standing behind the lens on untimed exposures. Direct Print Options (7.5) The K10D is PictBridge- and DPOF (Digital Print Order Format)-compatible, enabling print orders to be made within the camera, and direct printing to compatible printers. Print orders can be created for single images or a specified group. Printing directions are saved onto the memory card with the photos and can be used at any kiosk or retail outlet. For single images, users can specify the number of copies (up to 99), and select whether or not a date stamp is imposed on the print. The DPOF setting is accessed through the Function menu and is a simple, intuitive process. Note that print settings cannot be applied to RAW files. Images are printed directly to PictBridge-compliant printers, without the assis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 10-megapixel K10D is the first viable prosumer body released by Pentax, marking a departure from the simplified 6-megapixel mold that characterized the manufacturer’s previous efforts. At the camera’s core are an APS-C-sized CCD chip and PRIME image processor, capable of 22-bit A/D conversion. Eleven-point autofocus (with 9 cross-type), mechanical image stabilization (Shake Reduction), dust removal, and weatherproofing are integral portions of the design. However, impressive as the K10D’s components may be, the camera earns its distinction through the practical subtleties woven throughout its design. For $599 (with rebate) during the holiday push, the K10D is one of the strongest values on the market. 
The viewfinder is a primary determinant in the shooting experience for most photographers. Comfort, accuracy, and visibility are all critical, since the viewfinder remains flush against the photographer’s face while shooting and is used to compose images. 
