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

Verdict

This clearly feels like a stop-gap camera to wring a few extra months of life out of the K100D until a proper replacement came along (the K200D), but it’s no less worthy for that. It’s nicely designed, performs well and delivers great results. There are some negatives of course – the lack of simultaneous Raw+JPEG recording, poor burst performance (making it a bad choice for sports and action), the clumsy menu and the need to use it too often to access key features – but overall this is a good camera at a fair price.

Its use of the K-mount lens system, and the millions of old lenses that fit it, make it arguably the best option for photographers looking to build a quality system on a tight budget.

Details

AF Points:11 AF points
Cable Release:Wired optional
PC Socket:No
Max Flash Sync:1/180sec
Colour Space:-
White Balance Bracket:No
Colour Temp Control:-
DoF Prview:No
Built-in Flash:Built-in, GN15.6m @ ISO200
Exposure Comp:-2 to +2 EV in 0.5 or 0.3 EV steps
Shutter Type:Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter
Other:-
Focusing Modes:TTL Phase-matching 11-point wide autofocus system (SAFOX VIII)
Dust Reduction:Yes
Built-in Image Stabilisation:Yes
Weight:570g (w/o battery and memory card)
Dimensions:92.5 x 129.5 x 70mm
Live Mode:No
Power:4x AA (lithium, alkaline, and rechargeableNi-MH) or 2x CR-V3 lithium
Connectivity:USB 2.0
Memory Card:Secure Digital (SD)
Field of View:96% coverage
Viewfinder Type:Fixed molded penta-mirror
White Balance:9 presets plus manual
ISO:200-3200
Drive Mode:Single, Continuous (max 2.8 fps)
Metering System:16-segment multi-zone, Centre-weighted, and Spot metering
Exposure Modes:P, A, S, M, Auto + 13 scene modes
Compression:JPEG : Best, Better, Good. RAW: Non-compressed
File Format:Raw or JPEG
Shutter Speeds:1/4000 - 30 sec. and bulb
Lens Mount:Pentax KAF
Output Size:JPEG: [6M] 3008 x 2000 pixels, [4M] 2400 x 1600 pixels, [1.5M] 1536 x 1024 pixels.RAW: [6M] 3008 x 2008 pixels
Focal Length Mag:1.5
LCD:2.5 inch, low-temperature polysilicon TFT colour LCD monitor (Approx. 210,000 pixels), brightness adjustable, Wide angle view
Sensor:23.5 x 15.7mm CCD with 6.1 million effective pixels
  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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