Image Quality

Overall, the K100D seems to have a tendency to underexpose. This can be seen on the histogram on the camera, as well as when images are checked in levels. Depending on the subject, this can be anything from ½ stop to two stops, using Pattern Metering. I’d expect this to a degree with any camera, which is why we need exposure compensation and brains (to recognise when you need to use it). However, the camera does fail consistently, even on average subjects.

Once the images are corrected in levels, though, they look nice: displaying good sharpness and contrast, and plenty of detail. Noise is well controlled within the real world images too, and even ISO 3200 produces the goods.

This is all reflected in the lab results too, with most of the colour noise staying within acceptable limits. There are only occasional spikes in shadow areas, but little to cause serious concern.

Colour noise stays close to luminance noise levels, which is good. White balance and saturation are pretty nifty too. There’s a slight rise in the saturation towards warmth – that is, the reds and yellows are more saturated than natural. White balance, too, shows an increase in colour temperature of between 20 and 30 degrees K across the measurements. This is pretty close to natural and a good overall performance.