|
Model Design / Appearance
We like the *ist Pentaxes' design, because they had a certain simplicity and restraint. The Pentax K10D has less of that, which is a disappointment. If Batman wants a shot of some evil-doer, Robin may well pull the K10D out of the Batmobile's glove compartment. It has the right kind of gratuitous, swooping edges, and hunched, hooded look.
Aesthetics aside, the K10D seems solid and functional. Its environmental seals are a welcome contrast to the gaping cracks in the Canon Rebel XTi/EOS 400.
Size / Portability
At 5.6 x 4 x 2.75 inches and 27.8 ounces with battery and SD card, the Pentax K10D is not a small DSLR. It's nearly the size of the Nikon D200, and weighs about 11 ounces more than the Pentax *ist DL. Much of the size is related to functionality – shake reduction, dust removal, and just as important, environmental seals. The K10D has a thorough complement of gaskets on its ports, and the chassis integrity to remain sealed along its stationary seams.
Handling Ability
We found the Pentax K10D comfortable to hold. It was apparent at the Photokina booth that it fits a variety of hand sizes – a rather large man and a petite woman were looking at it together while we were there, and both were pleased with the grip. They said they were *ist owners looking to move up.
Key features in handling are the grippable surfaces for both hands and the fact that the camera strap won't get in the way.
Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size
 It's always great to see two control dials on a camera – for manual shooters, it means that aperture and shutter speed are both easily adjustable. In program, it's easy to both shift program and vary exposure compensation.
The AE lock button is all the way out on the right corner of the back, so the user has to shift her thumb away from the grip to hit it. The 4-way controller is very good, and we like the dial that surrounds it – though there might be a better use for it than simply setting the autofocus site selection mode – it really should turn freely, and actually select the autofocus site.
We like the notion of a RAW button – there are plenty of times when we're popping JPEGs and suddenly find a shot that we know will need some processing, and which we could shoot a RAW file conveniently.
The latches for the memory door and the battery door are excellent. The word that comes to mind is “positive.” There's no chance that either will open accidentally. The on/off switch for shake reduction is also beefy. The push buttons all around seem solid and durable, and easy to use.
Menu
The Pentax K10D's menus are easy to read and attractive, but land sakes, they're long. It's not as though we're against cameras having adjustments, but some of this stuff just looks excessive.
|
Shooting
|
|
|
JPEG Pix
|
JPEG pixel dimensions
|
|
JPEG Quality
|
Compression
|
|
Image
|
Tonality
|
|
Saturation
|
|
|
Sharpness
|
|
|
Contrast
|
|
|
File format
|
In addition to JPEGs, the K10D shoots RAW and DNG files. DNG is an open standard for uncompressed raw files
|
|
Extended Bracket
|
Set to bracket exposure, white balance, saturation, sharpness contrast, and set the increments by which to bracket, and whether to shoot 3 or 5 different shots
|
|
Multi exposure
|
|
|
Memory
|
Set the K10D to remember various settings when its shut off, or to return to defaults
|
|
Shake Reduction
|
Set focal length of old lenses that don't encode that data.
|
|
Set-up
|
|
|
User
|
Set a custom shooting mode with a combination of settings
|
|
Format
|
Blast the SD card clean
|
|
Beep
|
Make the camera annoying
|
|
Date adjust
|
Includes date and time
|
|
World time
|
Set for travel
|
|
Languange
|
Choose from 12 languages for menus and alerts
|
|
Guide display
|
Interval for guides to show
|
|
Brightness
|
LCD adjustment
|
|
Video out
|
PAL or NTSC for slideshows
|
|
Transfer
|
USB mode
|
|
Auto Power off
|
Set time camera will stay on without intervention
|
|
Folder
|
Manage folders on SD card
|
|
Select battery
|
Determine battery configuration
|
|
Dust removal
|
Shake off dust on sensor
|
|
Sensor cleaning
|
Open shutter to allow manual cleaning. Pentax sells its own cleaning wands for sticky stuff
|
|
Reset
|
|
|
Custom
|
|
|
Program line
|
Set how the Program mode balances aperture and shutter speed at various EV
|
|
EV steps
|
½ or 1/3
|
|
ISO Step
|
1 or whatever EV step is set to
|
|
ISO Warning
|
Set viewfinder warning if auto ISO rises to 400, 800 or 1600
|
|
Meter Operating time
|
Meter active for 10, 3 or 30 seconds (10 is apparently default)
|
|
AEL with AF lock
|
Lock exposure when focus is locked
|
|
Link AF point with AE
|
Meter at active autofocus point
|
|
Auto Bracket order
|
Set order for bracket exposures
|
|
Auto EV
|
Adjust EV
|
|
WB with Flash
|
Either shift white balance to flash preset when the flash is active, or leave it alone
|
|
Fine tune in AWB
|
Allow tuning of auto white balance
|
|
AF button
|
Set function of AF button – defaults to focusing while it's pressed
|
|
AF by Pressing Halfway
|
Set to have autofocus activated by shutter
|
|
Superimpose AF area
|
Show active AF area onscreen
|
|
AF in rear control
|
Set to change autofocus controls
|
|
Noise Reduction
|
For long exposure or high ISO
|
|
Color Temperature steps
|
Increments for adjustment
|
|
Green button
|
Function of the green button in manual modes
|
|
1-tough RAW & JPEG
|
Control RAW button function
|
|
Illuminate LCD
|
LCD adjustment
|
|
Release when charging
|
Allow shots when flash is not fully charged
|
|
Preview method
|
Show depth of field through viewfinder or on LCD
|
|
Rec image no
|
Show the number of shots left on the card, or the number of shots available in a burst
|
|
Init Zoom display
|
Set starting magnification for image playback
|
|
Auto Image rotate
|
Show vertical images upright
|
|
Save rotation info
|
Save verticals upright
|
|
Using aperture ring
|
Allow use of aperture ring on old lenses that have them
|
|
Reset custom functions
|
Return settings to default
|
|
Playback
|
|
|
Playback Display
|
Set information to show on initial display
|
|
Instant Review
|
Set for review of images as soon as they're shot
|
|
Digital preview
|
Unable to test
|
|
Digital filter
|
Modify saved images. Unable to test
|
|
Slideshow
|
Unable to test
|
Ease of Use
The Pentax K10D has a full complement of controls, as well as significant automation. The physical layout of the controls is for the most part logical (except for the AE lock). The LCD previews for depth of field and white balance are very helpful, in particular for users who are just beginning to experiment with those parameters.
In some ways, our attitude toward ease of use is colored by the fact that Pentax intentionally disabled the cameras we were allowed to examine. We expect to have a positive report when we handle a fully functional camera.
|
