Pentax K200D

Latest - Review and Sample Photos by PhotographyBlog (added 03 July’08)

Pentax K200D features:

• 10.2 megapixel
• 2.7 inch LCD
• Shake reduction
• Enhanced dynamic range
• ISO 100 - 1600

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Read More Reviews - (updated 03 July’08)

PhotographyBlog has reviewed the Pentax K200D and they write -
“It ticks very nearly all of the boxes for those wanting an easy to use DSLR that delivers images you’ll want to keep straight out of the camera, and with the minimum of user input and effort to boot. The Pentax K200D produces images of excellent quality, with noise-free images at ISO 100 all the way up to ISO 800, very little purple-fringing, accurate colors and a useful built-in flash and Bulb exposure mode. Only the noise levels at ISO 1600 and the lack of a faster 3200 setting mark the K200D out as an entry-level model. If you don’t require fantastic image quality at high ISO speeds, then the K200D certainly holds its own against the competition in terms of image quality.”

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WhatDigitalCamera has reviewed the Pentax K200D and they write -
“I really enjoyed using the K200D. It is logical to handle and its build quality means I’d be happy to use it in harsher conditions. The images I got from the camera also were very pleasing, especially considering previous exposure problems with other Pentax cameras, and the ‘Bright’ mode is certainly my favourite for JPEGs.

Despite its positioning as a beginners’ DSLR, though, there are enough higher-end features to satisfy the more advanced photographer, making this a great camera for the film to digital convert, or anyone wishing to go beyond the Auto-club. The only let down really is the drive speed and the AF with the kit lens. Look for deals that feature a better lens, or buy the body on its own and invest in a superior optic and you’ll find yourself with a lovely little kit.”

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Steve’s Digicams has reviewed the Pentax K200D and they write -
“Bottom line - the K200D is a very nice entry-level dSLR. The new 10.2-megapixel CCD image sensor, combined with a lot of modern technology create a wonderful camera for the price. The in-body Shake Reduction capability and improved Dust Reduction system show that PENTAX is serious about providing a great camera for the beginner. I might have liked to see a Live View function but would the novice photographer miss it?”

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CNET.co.uk has reviewed the Pentax K200D and they write -
“The Pentax K200D is a straightforward entry-level dSLR. For each higher-spec flourish, it lacks a more obvious consumer-friendly function like live view and face detection. But SD cards and AA batteries keep things simple. We prefer the controls of the Olympus E-510 over the K200D’s somewhat clunky operation, but compatibility with older Pentax lenses may give it the edge for some people over the Four Thirds lens range.”

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ePhotozine has reviewed the Pentax K200D and they write -
“As an entry level DSLR, the Pentax K200D does a great job. It manages to create decent shots for any photographic style which is great for the learner trying to find a niche.

My main problem is the price. The ePHOTOzine shop has it at £469.99 body only, which is expensive for this classification. Kits are available if you look around, but are around the £550 price mark.”

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CNET has reviewed the Pentax K200D and they write -
“Pentax’s K200D is a very nice entry-level dSLR. Its biggest omission is a live view shooting mode, though I didn’t miss that much in my field tests and I think that wireless flash control is more useful. Canon’s Rebel XSi has more megapixels than this Pentax, a live view mode, and sharper images when using their respective kit lenses, but it’s also significantly more expensive. Also, Pentax’s lenses and accessories tend to be less expensive than Canon’s. If you’re not extremely picky about your images–for example, if you don’t think you’re going to print your images larger than letter size, the Pentax K200D offers an economical alternative to Canon’s entry-level blockbuster Rebel XSi. “

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GoodGearGuide has reviewed the Pentax K200D and they write -
“A nifty thing about the K200D is its body, which is designed to be weather and dust resistant. While not waterproof, it is solidly built and contains many seals and gaskets designed to help keep water out of vital components. It is quite heavy and sits nicely in the hands.”

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TrustedReviews has reviewed the Pentax K200D and they write -
“The handling of the K200D is very simple yet it maintains a reassuring, more professional build quality. Images are sure to please even the most critical photographer, with few serious problems bar slight underexposure on rare occasions. There are plenty of features to keep beginners and advanced users happy, with the only major disappointment coming from the drive speed.”

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Pocket-lint has reviewed the Pentax K200D and they write -
“But when the price and performance overall are looked at and the sheer amount of neat kit the camera has as standard, the K200D is a camera that should be high on your list if you’ve a tight budget and no previous brand lenses sitting a cupboard.

High spec, high resolution, and low price combine in a weatherproof body to make this camera a hit and certainly well worth closer inspection.”

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DigitalCameraReview has reviewed the Pentax K200D and they write -
“What to make of the K200D, on balance? It’s an unquestionably solid camera, and I generally found its straight-from-camera images rich, vibrant, and (with the right settings) smooth – all the reasons we buy DSLRs. Visually and functionally, the camera is a bit vanilla; given the really sharp, intuitive interfaces on some of its competitors, the Pentax may be a bit of hard sell for newbies who heavily bias look and feel in making purchasing decisions. Advanced shooters may be equally disappointed that Pentax didn’t cut the questionably valuable scene modes altogether and retain a more advanced control layout (with two dials). The fact that the K200D didn’t at least step up to the K10D’s rather paltry continuous shooting performance either is another strike against the new model where serious shooters are concerned.”

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PhotoReview has reviewed the Pentax K200D and they write -
“Pictures from the test camera had a superficial resemblance to our test shots from the K20D, particularly with respect to the extended dynamic range provided by both cameras. However, the K200D showed less inclination to bias exposures slightly in favour of recording highlight details and the yellow-brown cast we found in test shots taken with the K20D shots was much less evident.”

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Sample Photos

[Sample Photos at PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Photos at Steve's Digicams]
[Sample Photos at CNET]
[Sample Photos at TrustedReviews]
[Sample Test Photos at Pocket-lint]

Videos

[Canon Video]

Specifications

[Official Pentax Specifications]

Owners Manual

[Owners Manual]

Press Release

PENTAX Corporation is pleased to introduce the PENTAX K200D lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera. Designed mainly for family users and digital camera beginners, this popular-class model offers a host of user-friendly features and sophisticated functions like higher-class models. As a result, even digital camera beginners can enjoy advanced digital SLR photography with great ease. Pursuing image quality, user-friendliness, operability and cost performance, the K200D is expected to be a new standard-setter in the popular-class market. Major features

1. PENTAX-original SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism for sharp, blur-free images

The K200D is equipped with the PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which effectively reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under demanding shooting conditions, such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark or at night without supplementary flash illumination, or using extended exposures for sunset scenes.

This innovative mechanism shifts the position of the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the shifting speed in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor. It offers an outstanding compensation effect, equivalent to approximately 2.5 to 4 shutter-speed steps. As a result, it does not require special anti-shake lenses, and can be used with almost all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses.*

• Lenses compatible with this mechanism are: the PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount lenses, screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be applicable with certain lenses.

2. High quality image

The K200D combines a large, high-performance 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD image sensor with the sophisticated PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) as its imaging engine. With its approximately 10.2 effective megapixels, the K200D produces beautiful, fine-detailed images with subtle gradations and texture descriptions. In addition, the K200D features Custom Image function that helps to create its intended images by allowing the users to select one of the six modes and adjusting the image’s finishing touches to their presence.

3. Comprehensive Dust Removal system with prevention, removal and confirmation devices

The K200D features the user-friendly Dust Removal (DR) system to prevent dust from appearing in images. Applied to the CCD surface (or low-pass filter) through the vapor deposition of a fluorine compound, the PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) coating effectively removes dust and stains from the surface. In the next step, dust that still remains on the surface will be shaken off when the SR system shifts the image sensor at high speed. Finally, the dust that is shaken off the image sensor will fall onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of it returning to the image sensor surface. This DR system even offers a new Dust Alert function, which allows the user to confirm the dust-adhesion status of the CCD in advance.

4. Dust-proof, water-resistant construction

The K200D boasts an extremely reliable dust-proof, water-resistant construction, with special seals applied to 60 different parts of the camera body, including the shutter release button and switches/levers/dials. This dependable body makes it possible to use the K200D in the rain or dusty locations without worries.

5. Auto sensitivity control up to ISO 1600

The K200D’s auto sensitivity control function automatically sets the optimum sensitivity up to ISO 1600, based on such data as the subject’s brightness level and the lens’ focal length. Since this function allows the user to use faster shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor sports events and night scenes), it helps the photographer to effectively reduce camera shake and prevent blurred images. For specialized applications, the sensitivity can be set manually from ISO 100 to ISO 1600.

6.High-precision 11-point wide-frame AF

The K200D’s advanced SAFOX VIII autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) to automatically focus on the subject with utmost precision, even when it is positioned off center. When the subject is captured in focus, the in-focus sensor point is automatically superimposed in red in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation.

7. Bright, clear viewfinder

Combining a lightweight penta-mirror prism with a PENTAX-original finder optics and the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen, the K200D’s viewfinder delivers a large, bright image with an approximately 96-percent field of view and an approximately 0.85-times magnification.

8. Versatile Auto Picture mode

The PENTAX-developed Auto Picture mode automatically sets the most appropriate shooting mode (such as Portrait, Landscape and Macro) for a given subject or situation. Since the K200D not only sets an aperture and a shutter speed, but also adjusts white-balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness levels, the photographer can concentrate on image composition and shutter opportunity.

9. Large 2.7-inch wide-view LCD monitor

The K200D features a large 2.7-inch color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots on its back panel. The LCD’s wide-view design allows the photographer to check the monitor image from approximately 160 degrees both vertically and horizontally. It even offers digital zooming of playback images up to 20 times for easy confirmation of focus.

10. Other features

• High-rigidity stainless-steel chassis
• Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
• 22 custom functions to personalize camera operations
• Approximately 1100 images can be taken when using AA size lithium batteries due to its energy saving design
• Compatibility with conventional SD and large-capacity SDHC memory cards
• Simultaneous recording of RAW- and JPEG-format images
• RAW button for single-action image-file switching
• Eight digital filters for creative and artistic expressions
• In-body development of recorded RAW-format images
• Compatibility with SDM equipped lenses for quiet, extra-smooth autofocus operation
• PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3, RAW data processing software and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3, browser software, included on the accompanying CD-ROM

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See also: Pentax, Pentax Review Roundups