Last update 23 October’09 – Review and Sample Photos @ GoodGearGuide
Pentax K2000/K-m was announced September 22, 2008 and is a 10 megapixel image stabilized DSLR digital camera and it features a dust removal system, continuous shooting at approx. 3.5 frames per second, 5 point auto focus, and an ISO range of 100 up to 3200. Camera dimensions are 122.5mm x 91.5mm x 67.5mm (4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in) and it weighs 525g (18.5 oz.).
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Review Index – (updated 23 October’09)
GoodGearGuide
“Overall, despite the Pentax K2000’s near perfect image quality and what the company has done to make this model appealing and easy to use, we find it difficult to recommend the K2000 with a full endorsement because of its focusing problems. If you have an a lot of Pentax lenses, you would be better off spending money on a higher-end Pentax model.”
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Shutterbug
“It’s a camera that produces great image quality, wrapped around a well-built camera with built-in special effects capability. It allows you to produce photos that have style and panache and, more importantly, fun! The K2000 would be my first recommendation for any young photographer just getting into photography, much as the storied K1000 was oh-so many years ago.”
CNET Asia
“The K-m is a decent dSLR which can produce very good pictures but we were let down by its inconsistent metering and white balance performance. In these two aspects, the Canon and Nikon fared better, but in general, the Pentax was able to hold its ground against the big boys.”
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DPExpert
“If you can live with the RAW file system – and that, after all, is the way to get better images with any camera – then the Pentax is a fine camera. And the supplied Silkypix RAW converter is excellent. This is a low cost entry into the serious photographic world of the DSLR. It’s a lot of camera for the money.”
CNET
“If you’re a longtime Pentax shooter with a shelf full of lenses, a cheap K2000 body is a good way to finally move to digital; they should all be compatible, albeit with limitations depending upon the lens. (Check the manual for specifics about compatible functions.) With its aggressive price, as long as you’re flexible and intrepid enough to play with the settings before shooting, the Pentax K2000 is a pretty good option.”
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DigitalCameraInfo
“The only area where we’d hesitate to shoot with the K2000 would be fast action, given the relatively slow burst rate and so-so autofocus speed. We were pleasantly surprised at how well the body is built, especially after working with the relatively insubstantial (though photographically fine) Canon Rebel XS.”
InfoSync
“The Pentax K2000 has the ability to capture exceptional images, and some of our favorite shots in infoSync history were snagged with this camera. There are a few caveats, though, the first being the fact that this is a manual control-thirsty machine that required a lot of Shutter Speed and Aperture surveillance.”
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DevHardware
“The new Pentax K200D might suffer from a slight lack of polish and new technology, especially in comparison to its more sleek competitors, but entry-level DSLRs aren’t usually the place for cutting edge technology introductions anyhow. Its rugged design and ease of use will prove to be the perfect accompaniment for shooters looking to develop their photography skills and purchase a reasonably priced camera that they can not only practice new techniques on, but keep around for a few solid years.”
TrustedReviews
“The Pentax K-m is a good first camera. It has better build quality than most of its rivals, it handles and performs well, and is capable of producing excellent results even in the hands of a novice, while still having enough features and custom options to satisfy more experienced photographers. The only real problem is the annoying lack of AF target points in the viewfinder, which is both confusing and inconvenient.”
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Digital Trends
“Color quality in RAW was just okay, but we loved the fast motor, the fact that the camera was rugged enough for winter shooting, and the scene modes are handy and worked well. The K2000 is also a great buy: it includes a 18-55mm kit lens and a Pentax AF200FG external flash unit for just $600.”
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GoodGearGuide
“The Pentax K2000 is a fast camera, powering on in 0.7sec and releasing the shutter in 0.04sec. Burst mode captures images at around 3.5 frames per second, which is par for the course. Sitting roughly on par with models from Nikon and Canon, but with the advantage of a slightly lower price-tag, the Pentax K-m digital SLR is a good choice for a beginner.”
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PCMag
“The K2000 may be an entry-level D-SLR, but for the most part it doesn’t compromise on speed. I was able to turn it on and pull off a shot in a blazing-fast average of 0.58 second. The Pentax K2000 is a solid choice if you’re looking for basics like speed and sharp images in good light, and its Help button can be a valuable guide for those new to D-SLR photography.”
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StevesDigicams
“They have made the process of switching from a point and shoot as seamless as possible and the INFO (?) button is a great first hand teaching tool for you to learn the camera. With overall good performance, very good quality and a MSRP of US$699, this is worth looking into if you are looking for your first dSLR.”
RegHardware
“Pentax have put together a nice package of features at a nice price, without compromising performance to any large degree. If the K-m doesn’t force other camera manufacturers to raise their game in the entry-level DSLR sector, we’ll eat our collective hats.”
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Megapixel
“The K2000 delivers excellent photographs in a variety of situations. Outdoor shots were terrific. Indoor shots were fine, too. The K2000’s exposure and focusing systems were undaunted by lighting conditions of every stripe and were able to capture the nuances of scenes with arresting fidelity.”
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DPReview
“It does an excellent feature set with a fairly fundamental flaw (the inability to easily check or select the focus point being used) that we consider to be serious enough to be a deciding issue. The lack of focus point indication is also, crucially, something that we feel the target market (the first time buyer) would benefit from (small viewfinders and slow zooms don’t make it easy to spot when the camera hasn’t focused where you want it to).”
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PhotoReview
“Test shots taken in dim lighting with and without flash showed little visible noise right up to ISO 800. Stepping up to ISO 1600 produced a noticeable increase in granularity and some blotchiness was evident in the darker areas of the picture. By ISO 3200, both colour and pattern noise were visible and shots were visibly blotchy.”
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Digital Camera Review As compared to the Nikon D60
“If you’re looking for a camera that you can grow into and explore settings with, or a camera that lets you experiment cost-effectively with various lenses, the K2000 is a fantastic new option and a great value besides, given all the new tech it packs in. If you’re wanting a DSLR to ease the transition from your point-and-shoot – a rock solid performer that does its thing without fuss – the D60 is probably the compact DSLR for you.”
Digital Camera Review
“Since my day-to-day cameras are a Pentax K10D and Pentax *ist DL, I was curious how the K2000 would compare. I expected the camera to perform better than the *ist DL but fall short of the K10D. Sure enough, the K2000 performed almost exactly as expected. In short, this is one amazing little camera.”
TechRadar
“You don’t get illuminated AF points, alas, and although the K-2000’s 5-point AF system is a little more sophisticated than the 3-point systems in the Nikon D60 and Olympus E-420, say, there’s very little advantage if the AF points aren’t highlighted in any way.”
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Pocket-lint
“Despite the limited flash performance, this is a well-priced, simple to use DSLR. It’s one capable of good results too and that will help the transition from compact to lens interchangeable photography much easier and affordable.”
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ePhotozine
“The noise performance is good although I feel it’s been capped too low, the new UI works well and although it’s a little on the heavy side, it feels great in the hands.”
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PopPhoto (First Look)
“Overall, the K2000 stacks up strongly against its competitors. We find the menubased control system more intuitive than some others — just one of the details that makes Pentax a favorite among savvy photographers who watch what they spend.”
PhotographyBlog
“We’re big fans of built-in image stabilization, a great feature that’s easy for beginners to understand, and which only the Sony A200 also offers.”
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DPReview (Hands-on Preview)
“It uses the K200D’s sensor but comes with a simplified control layout (geared towards users coming from compact cameras) and a less sophisticated AF-system (5 points vs 11 on the K200D). The K-m also lacks the K200D’s weather-sealing but in turn you get an ISO 3200 setting and slightly quicker continuous shooting.”
Owner Feedback
Sample Photos
[ISO Performance Photos @ CNET]
” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>ISO Performance Photos @ CNET Asia]
[ISO Performance Photos @ CNET]
[Sharpness Sample Photo @ DigitalCameraInfo]
[Sharpness Sample Photo @ InfoSync]
[Sample ISO Test Photos at TrustedReviews]
[Sample Photos at RegHardware]
[Sample Photos at Megapixel]
[Sample Photos at DPReview]
[Sample Photos at Pocket-lint]
[Sample Photos at PhotographyBlog]
Specifications
Press Excerpt
PENTAX U.K. is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX K-m digital SLR camera. Designed primarily for entry level digital SLR photographers, it offers simplified, user-friendly operation, and an easy-to-maneuver compact, lightweight body.
The PENTAX K-m was developed to enable first-time digital SLR users and family photographers to enjoy high-quality digital SLR photography with ease. The camera features an upgraded version of the PENTAX-original Auto Picture mode, which automatically detects the type of subject or scene, and sets the proper shooting mode for the photographer. It also features a host of advanced features and sophisticated functions — including the innovative in-body Shake Reduction mechanism — to assist the photographer. It also offers a compact, lightweight body, designed by incorporating PENTAX’s advanced downsizing technologies.
Along with the PENTAX K-m, PENTAX will also launch two DA L-series interchangeable zoom lenses: the smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL and the smc PENTAX-DA L 50-200mmF4-5.6ED. Designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras, these DA L-series lenses are designed to be more compact and lightweight than conventional counterparts, without sacrificing any of the exceptional optical performance common to all PENTAX lenses.*
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