It's best in class on a number of specification fronts, but does this entry-level DSLR deserve its 'Super' moniker?...

Product Overview

Overall rating:

86%

Pentax K100D Super

Overall score:86%
Features:80%
Value:90%
Performance:85%
Image Quality:90%
Design:85%

Pros:

  • Handling, Image Quality, Low noise, Built-in IS, Price

Cons:

  • Burst shooting performance, Too menu dependent, Menu interface, No Raw+JPEG option

Product:

Pentax K100D Super Review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£399.00

Image Quality

The K100D Super stands as proof, if any were needed, that six megapixels is enough for most people. Images are clean and nicely saturated (some may say too much so, but the default setting can be adjusted in the Set Up menu) and pleasantly free from annoying digital artefacts. Even shooting high-contrast subjects straight into the sun failed to produce any significant fringing around the edges, and noise is very well controlled. One of the benefits of not cramming too many pixels onto the CCD is that the pixels can be bigger and therefore collect more light, thus requiring less amplification of the signal (which increases noise) to get a good exposure. Even at ISO 3200, noise levels are tolerable at normal shutter speeds. It’s only when you start shooting at night, with longer shutter speeds and large areas of underexposure, that it rears its ugly head – but then no more than you’d expect. The kit lens is an able performer too, delivering sharp images with minimal distortion, and the sensor-based anti-shake delivers that sharpness at much slower shutter speeds than you could otherwise expect.

  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Features: Page 1
  3. 3. Features: Page 2
  4. 4. Design
  5. 5. Performance
  6. 6. Image Quality
  7. 7. Value For Money
  8. 8. Verdict
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