Digital SLR Camera Review

Pentax SLR Holster Bag Review

Pentax SLR Holster Bag Feature

• Fits digital SLR camera with a standard zoom lens attached
• Constructed of durable ballistic nylon
• Attached front pocket for accessories
• Detachable shoulder strap

A very nice bag, bigger and more quality than expected.

I could fit my Pentax k2000 with 18-55mm kit lens perfectly with a bit of room on the sides so it doesn’t squeeze my camera too tight. There is a front area to store things also. I stored my filter case in this pocket.

The only downside is it’s a hassle to get the zipper to open because you have to pop out the front flap to do so. It’s still not that big of a deal and other than that it’s a great bag.

Pentax SLR Holster Bag Overview

Pentax K-x Digital SLR Camera Body Kit - Black - with 4GB SD Memory Card, 4 AA Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) 2900 mAH Rechargeable Batteries with 4-Hour AA & AAA Quick Charger, 110/220 volt. Camera Bag, Review

Pentax K-x Digital SLR Camera Body Kit - Black - with 4GB SD Memory Card, 4 AA Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) 2900 mAH Rechargeable Batteries with 4-Hour AA & AAA Quick Charger, 110/220 volt. Camera Bag, Feature

• High resolution 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor features sensor-shift Shake Reduction for stabilized image and video capture up to 4 stops max.
• Large 2.7 inch LCD features Live View with contrast, phase difference, and Face Detection autofocus (up to 16 faces).
• Capture widescreen HD video in full 720p resolution (1280×720) at 24 FPS cinematic framerate, using any PENTAX 35mm lens.
• Highly compact DSLR body design allows for 1 handed operation and comfort when travelling.
• Powerful automatic modes, including PENTAX Auto Picture and scene modes, ensure the perfect shot in any situation, while helping new photographers learn DSLR photography.

Pentax K-x Digital SLR Camera Body Kit - Black - with 4GB SD Memory Card, 4 AA Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) 2900 mAH Rechargeable Batteries with 4-Hour AA & AAA Quick Charger, 110/220 volt. Camera Bag, Overview

The extremely compact and lightweight PENTAX K-x is perfect for users stepping up from a point and shoot digital camera to their first digital SLR. 12.4 effective megapixels The K-x incorporates a newly developed CMOS image sensor to assure high-speed image data readout and more flexibility with varying ISO sensitivity levels. Widescreen HD movie recording at 1280×720 pixels at a cinematic 24 frames per second (720p24) The PENTAX K-x movie recording function captures true-to-life movie clips in 16:9 high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels) at a frame rate of 24 frames per second. PENTAX-original SR mechanism for sharp, blur-free images The K-x features the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction mechanism that effectively compensates for the adverse effects of camera shakeby as much as four shutter steps. This innovative mechanism extends its benefits to all PENTAX interchangeable lenses - even those designed for film-format cameras. High-speed continuous shooting at approximately 4.7 images per second The K-x’s high-speed continuous shooting mode records as many as 17 images (in JPEG recording format) at a maximum speed of approximately 4.7 images per second. This is the fastest of all entry-class models. The K-x also features a more reliable shutter unit, which passed a demanding action test of more than 100,000 shutter releases. The top shutter speed of 1/6000 second allows the photographer to preserve sharp, crisp

Pentax K-x Digital SLR Camera Body Kit - Black - with 4GB SD Memory Card, 4 AA Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) 2900 mAH Rechargeable Batteries with 4-Hour AA & AAA Quick Charger, 110/220 volt. Camera Bag, Specifications

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Pentax *istD 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Review

After nearly 3 years of playing with other digital cameras I finally took the leap back into SLR-land and purchased this great Pentax camera. Though I am just beginning to explore its capabilities, so far I am delighted: there are a lot of advantages to SLR camera use that I missed from the film days.

As with any of the current crop of digital SLR’s, you get a ton of flexibility and shooting speed at a price that would have been unthinkable just two years ago. If you are used to using film SLR’s, and have been frustrated by certain aspects of using a typical digital camera, you will be happy to be back in the land of no-shutter-lag shooting; the ability to use a ring on the lens barrel for zooming; tons of manual flexibility combined with idiot-proof program modes; and of course the flexibility of many lens choices. What has particularly driven me crazy about the current crop of high-end non-SLR digicams is the use of EVF viewfinders — by contrast, the viewfinders on digital SLR’s are great.

So why this Pentax vs the other competitive models? (The others worth considering in this price range at this time are the Canon EOS 10D; the Canon Digital Rebel; the Nikon D70; the Nikon D100; or even the Sigma models). This Pentax has the same sensor as the Nikon models, and the imaging capabilities of any of these cameras is doubtless well beyond my skills in any case. So to me it came down to ease of use, size and build quality. Size in particular is important to me: if you just look at the specs of this camera on a cubic-inch basis it’s 38% smaller than the Nikon D70 and 26% smaller than the Digital Rebel. The Canon 10d is even bigger, and looks like a house sitting next to the Pentax.

After handling all of these cameras, I concluded that the Pentax is the one I would use most often. Too often my film SLR’s sat at home when I was using film — I would grab a point-and-shoot instead. I really wanted something I would use a lot.

On the other hand, some published complaints (and my conclusions) about the Pentax have been:
(1) Images are too “soft” (this is super-easy to adjust if you use something like Adobe Album, Elements or Photoshop, and in return the camera is not “sharpening” the image for you, which can introduce sharpening noise)
(2) Not as many lenses as available as in the Canon or Nikon lines (There seem to be plenty for my purposes, both new and used)
(3) Memory cards are hard to eject (Doesn’t seem that hard to me; you need to be careful no matter what camera you use).

Another issue (price) with this camera has been fixed: when it was introduced it was more expensive than the others in its class. But the price has been reduced and now is typically available at a price that slots it in as a bit more expensive than the D70 and less than the 10D.

All of these current digital slr’s are great, and it seems to me that if you already owned Canon or Nikon lenses you wouldn’t go wrong with one of their models. On the other hand, if you are starting from scratch (or like me, you own brands you can’t use on any of these), the Pentax is worthy of serious consideration.

Pentax *istD 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Feature

• Smallest and lightest digital SLR as of April, 2003
• 6.1 effective megapixels
• Compatible with K, KA, KAF and KAF2 mount lenses and 645 / 67 lenses with an adapter
• Compatible with CompactFlash Type I/II cards and MicroDrives
• Powered by 4 AA batteries

Pentax *istD 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Overview

Housed in one of the world’s smallest, lightest digital SLR camera bodies, the *ist D comes equipped with an array of advanced functions and user-friendly features. The *ist D is compatible with existing PENTAX 35mm-format interchangeable lenses and accessories.

Pentax *istD 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Specifications

Pentax’s *ist D is the world’s smallest and lightest digital SLR (as of April 2003), measuring just 5.0 by 3.7 by 2.3 inches and weighing 18 ounces. It features a clarity of 6.1 effective megapixels, a 16 segment metering system, an-11 point AF sensor, and a continuous shooting rate of 2.7 frames per second. It’s also compatible with K, KA, KAF, and KAF2 mount lenses and 645/67 lenses with an adapter.

Optics and Resolution
Employing a high-performance CCD with dimensions of 23.5mm by 15.7mm and embracing Pentax’s unique image processing technology, the *ist D offers 6.1-megapixel resolution for the recording of precise, superior-quality images.

Storage and Transfer
The *ist D is compatible with CompactFlash Type I/II memory cards, and is also compatible with MicroDrives.

More Features
An optical pentaprism viewfinder was developed especially for the *ist D. This makes viewing easy with an ample 95% field of view and 0.95x magnification. There is also a superimposed display function that assists composition by illuminating the AF points in red.

Other features include:

• New 16-segment metering system achieves more accurate exposure
• New 11-point AF sensor (SAFOX VIII) for enhanced focusing
• Fast 1/4,000 second shutter speed and high-speed flash sync at 1/150 seconds
• Custom function allows functionality to be tuned to satisfy user preferences
• Noise reduction function activates for long exposures
• 1.8-inch, 118,000-pixel LCD monitor
• Choice of JPEG, TIFF, and RAW recording formats
• Convenient playback functions, such as nine-image and 12x magnification display

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 4 AA batteries; rechargeable NiMH batteries are recommended. It measures 5.0 by 3.7 by 2.3 inches and weighs 18 ounces.

The *ist D and the *ist DS Compared

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Pentax K-x 12.4MP Digital SLR w/ and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Red) & Pentax 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens (Black) + 8GB + Case + Two (2) 58mm Protective Filter + Rapid AC Charger + 8PK Rechargeable Batteries Review

Pentax K-x 12.4MP Digital SLR w/ and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Red) & Pentax 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens (Black) + 8GB + Case + Two (2) 58mm Protective Filter + Rapid AC Charger + 8PK Rechargeable Batteries Feature

• 12.4-megapixel CMOS sensor with Pentax Shake Reduction; HDR image capture
• Kit includes 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Red) and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens (Black)
• Capture widescreen HD 720p video at 24fps; 2.7-inch LCD with autofocus and Face Detection Live View
• 4.7fps capture rate with 1/6000 sec max shutter speed; 11-point wide-angle autofocus
• Powered by AA lithium batteries; capture images and video to SD/SDHC memory (not included)

Pentax K-x 12.4MP Digital SLR w/ and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Red) & Pentax 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens (Black) + 8GB + Case + Two (2) 58mm Protective Filter + Rapid AC Charger + 8PK Rechargeable Batteries Overview

Choose a camera that redefines the entry-level digital SLR category. The Pentax K-x offers high-end features including Live View, HD video and photographic performance that challenges higher class models. Since there’s no rule that SLR cameras must come in one color, try the K-x in a choice of white or black, as well as special, limited edition red and navy. With a one-handed shooting design that is extremely compact, lightweight, and easy-to-use, the very affordable K-x is perfect for users stepping up from a point-and-shoot digital camera to their first digital SLR.

Pentax K-x 12.4MP Digital SLR w/ and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Red) & Pentax 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens (Black) + 8GB + Case + Two (2) 58mm Protective Filter + Rapid AC Charger + 8PK Rechargeable Batteries Specifications

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Feb 03, 2010 06:15:17

Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video (Body Only) Review

Over the past three years I’ve worked my way up through the hierarchy of Pentax DSLR’s. Starting with the K-100 then the K-10 to the K-20 and now to the K-7. I still have and use the K-10 and K-20 and have been very satisfied with the picture quality from both of them. The picture quality of the K-7 is noticeably softer than either of these two. I’ve done numerous comparison tests with the three cameras using the same settings and the same lenses on tripod and in all tests the K-7 images are inferior or, at best, sometimes equal to the other two cameras. In an album the K-7 pictures always stand out as just not being as sharp as the other pictures from the other cameras.

I’ve been in touch with the Pentax service people by email and all they could offer is that I make sure the camera is set on factory default settings for best results.

Noise is also greater with this camera than in the other two but for some reason that does not disappoint me as much as the image softness. The images are definitely fuzzier than with the older cameras.

I love the construction of this camera and the smaller size is a plus for me. But all in all I wish I had not purchased it and at the full opening day price, too.

11/27/09

Here I am a few days later and to be fair, I want to report my latest evaluation. I’ve taken the advice of both the Pentax service people and the folks who were good enough to comment on this review. From the Pentax advice I’ve gone back to the default settings. From the comments to this review, I’ve shot both RAW and JPEG.

I’ve done some more testing pitting the K-7 vs the K-10 with two lenses, the 40mm limited and a Tamron 18-250mm. I shot the same scenes with RAW and JPEG using both lenses and compared the results. With this many variables it hard to get consistant results but I must say I’m a lot happier with the K-7 now. In RAW it is just as good as the K-10 in RAW. And I found out that the lens makes a big difference. Both cameras are equal with the 40mm limited lens in both JPEG and RAW. With the Tamron lens, the K-7 doesn’t do well. I’m assuming that the AF needs some adjustment within the camera which can be done but I haven’t taken the time.

In conclusion, I find that for best results, don’t stray too far from the factory default settings. Trying to add a lot of sharpness adjustment to JPEG images just seems to make them worse. For better pictures shoot in RAW. I don’t know if my next statement makes sense because I have virtually no experience with RAW but the K-7 RAW images seem to have a lot less noise in them, too.

And finally I would like to raise my rating of this camera from 2 stars to 4 stars. It’s a decent camera but just like other complex instruments, one has to learn how to play it.

Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video (Body Only) Feature

• High-resolution, 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor; compact, magnesium alloy body
• Weather resistant, dustproof, and coldproof (14 degrees F, -10 degrees C)
• Fast 5.2 fps shooting with the new PRIME II Image processing engine; top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec freezes even the fastest action in well-lit settings
• 3-inch LCD; Live View mode, with contrast AF, Face Detection, and optional histogram, grid, and bright/dark area display
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video (Body Only) Overview

The Pentax K-7 features a rugged, yet compact new body design, a new 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor rebuilt from the ground up, and advanced features such as HD Movie Capture and new, unique-to-Pentax camera controls. Compatible with every Pentax lens ever made, the high-end K-7 features an abundance of long-anticipated new and improved features that are exclusive to the camera and combine to make it a tremendous photography tool.

Pentax K-7 14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video (Body Only) Specifications

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Feb 01, 2010 06:06:25

Pentax *istDL 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Review

This body was my first foray into the DSLR world. In fact I had on held an SLR less than half a dozen times. I was using a Casio EX-Z50, and getting annoyed with the lack of aperture and shutter controls. So, on a non-art major, college student budget I looked for a camera I could learn and develop with.

I quickly found my way to DPReview where I spent many hours deciding what I needed and what I could afford. This camera fit the bill. I picked it up for 475 with the kit lens with one of the Pentax rebates + 50$ for a filter set, etc.

Build quality is great, at first I treated the camera very delicately, wrapping it in a T-shirt anytime I traveled. Now, I throw it in the back seat of my car, and dig it out when I get where I’m going without much worry of it being damaged. The camera is sturdy and of average weight to comparable bodies from Cannon and Nikon.

Controls are great, I love the Tv and Av modes. The buttons seem to be in good locations though I don’t do much action photography nor do I often worry about how long shots take, so maybe for an advanced shooter there might be a lack of buttons.

Menus are easy with loads of options that will do most anything you ask of it.

Image quality is pretty good. Don’t let the 6.1MP sensor bother you, its not about the MP at all it’s about what that camera can do with the sensor. Noise is pretty good, but your going to want a fast lens for low light, or a standalone flash because the on-board is largely useless, as most are.

I just rolled over the counter 11k shots in 18 months and going strong.

As with any Pentax body, the use of K mount lenses is easy and awesome, though there are quirks with Av and Tv, depending on the exact lens. Also check out the screw mount adapter for even more compatibility, but be sure to get Pentax OEM, not Ebay

Things I don’t love.
-My USB port does not work, it did, now it doesn’t. But in Pentax’s defense I never tried to fix it.

-Dust is a problem so be careful as it is annoying to clean

-Battery life varies greatly with temperature, so make sure you have good batteries, especially with those night-time long exposure shots

-FPS is kiiinda low, but for a budget body theres not much you can do.

-RAW + Jpeg would have been nice

-Has been superseded by K100d and soon to be K200d? But honestly if you can get a DL for less than either of those you’ll be fine unless you need SR.

Pentax *istDL 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Feature

• 6.1-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 14-by-19-inch prints
• 2.5-inch LCD monitor
• High-speed USB 2.0 data transfer
• Compact high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis
• Powered by 4 AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable NiMH recommended); store images on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards

Pentax *istDL 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Overview

Bigger only where it matters most, Pentax delivers better for a third time in the Pentax ist DL digital SLR. Hosting an array of advanced, user-friendly features including an Auto Picture mode for automatic exposure selection, the ist DL features a generous 2.5 inch color high definition LCD monitor that offers an entirely new playback dimension. Add to this, a 6.1-megapixel CCD, convenient SD media card storage, high-speed USB 2.0 data transfer, and a compact high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis design offering simple, accessible operation to delight new and advanced users alike.

Pentax *istDL 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Specifications

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 11, 2009 01:10:11