Pentax K2000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DA L Lens and AF200FG Flash

by Pentax

• 10.2-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-sized prints
• Includes 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DA L lens and AF200FG flash
• 2.7-inch wide-view LCD panel; Shake Reduction Technology
• Dedicated, reprogrammable Help button displays information on LCD
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B001GAPHOC
• Item model number: K2000 w/ AF200FG Flash & 18-55mm Lens
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,724 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 22, 2008

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Pentax K2000 offers uncomplicated operation for new digital SLR users and family photographers seeking high-quality digital SLR photography for the first time. Combining Pentax-developed, easy-to-use Auto Picture modes as well as powerful learning functions all housed in one of the smallest, lightest camera bodies in its class, the Pentax K2000 system is ideal for digital SLR beginners. Additional features on the newest digital K2000 SLR body include a 10.2-megapixel CCD, a 2.7-inch wide-view LCD panel and an ultra-compact design that facilitates one-handed operation. The body also features the same Pentax-developed Shake Reduction technology found on more advanced K-series digital SLRs. Pentax Shake Reduction is compatible with more than 25 million Pentax lenses, and delivers sharp images even when hand-held at slower shutter speeds. The K2000 also features the powerful, Pentax-developed Auto Picture Mode, which selects from Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, and Night! Portrait modes to tailor the camera settings to guide and teach you about digital SLR photography.

Pentax K2000 Digital SLR Highlights

Compact, lightweight body for enhanced portability and maneuverability
Despite the large image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm), the Pentax K2000 offers a compact, lightweight body to assure remarkable portability and maneuverability. The design incorporates a high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis, a more compact Shake Reduction mechanism and circuit boards, and the latest in high-density body component assembly to ensure efficient positioning and layout of various parts, including the repositioning of the battery compartment, to maximize ergonomics. The camera grip has also been redesigned for a firm, comfortable hold of the camera body.

Simplified ergonomics with dedicated Help button
The Pentax K2000 features a newly designed control system that positions most of the buttons and dials on the camera’s grip side making it easier to operate the camera with one hand. Additionally, a dedicated reprogrammable Help button displays camera functions on the camera’s LCD screen. This built-in user’s manual is ideal for those who are unfamiliar with digital SLR cameras.

Pentax original Shake Reduction mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
The Pentax K2000 comes equipped with the Pentax developed Shake Reduction (SR)* mechanism to reduce camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under demanding shooting conditions - such as with telephoto lenses, in low light, at night without supplementary flash illumination and for extended exposures in sunset scenes. This innovative SR mechanism shifts the position of the image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the shifting speed in exact proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor. SR offers an outstanding compensation effect up to the equivalent of approximately four shutter steps. As a result, the body does not require special anti-shake lenses and may be used with almost all existing Pentax interchangeable lenses.
_{* Lenses compatible with this mechanism are: the Pentax K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2-, and KAF3-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.}

Comprehensive Dust Detection and Removal system
The Pentax K2000 features the user-friendly Dust Removal (DR) system to prevent dust from appearing on images. Applied to the CCD image sensor low pass filter surface through the vapor deposition process of a fluorine compound, the Pentax developed original SP (Super Protect) coating effectively prevents dust from sticking to the sensor. For any stubborn dust that still remains on the surface, the SR system shifts the image sensor at high speed to shake off these particles. Finally, the dust that is shaken off the image sensor falls 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 also offers a Dust Alert function, which allows the user to detect any placement of dust on the sensor in advance of cleaning operations.

Auto Picture and creative Scene modes
The Pentax-developed Auto Picture mode is programmed to automatically select the most appropriate shooting mode such as Portrait, Landscape, Action, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, and Macro for a given subject. Since all camera settings, including aperture, shutter speed, white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness are then automatically adjusted by the camera for optimum results, users can concentrate on image composition rather than mode selection. For more unconventional subjects and environments, Pentax also includes 10 creative scene modes. Combined, the K2000’s automatic modes offer users great flexibility as they explore digital SLR photography.

High-quality image
The Pentax K2000 combines a large, 10.2-megapixel sensor with the sophisticated Pentax Real Image Engine (PRIME) as the imaging engine. This combination produces beautiful, detailed images with subtle gradations. The K2000 also features a Custom Image function, which offers a choice of six processing presets to give photographers high quality image processing flexibility.

High-speed continuous shooting at 3.5 frames per second
The Pentax K2000 allows users to shoot images up to approximately 3.5 frames per second (in the JPEG recording format), allowing photographers to capture fast action sequences with ease.

High-precision 5-point AF system
The Pentax K2000 incorporates a five-point, wide-area AF system (SAFOX VIII with five cross-type sensors) for dependable, high-precision autofocusing. Using the five sensors positioned in a cross pattern over the image field, this system automatically selects the optimum focus sensor for a given subject. Additionally, Center Focusing allows the photographer to enable only the centermost focus sensor. Pentax engineers were also able to improve the focus speed under poor lighting conditions for improved autofocus performance overall.

Auto sensitivity control up to ISO 3200
The Pentax K2000’s auto sensitivity control function automatically sets the optimum sensitivity between ISO 100 and ISO 3200, based on such data as the subject brightness level and lens focal length. Since this allows the user to take advantage of faster shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor sports events and night scenes), it helps the photographer to effectively reduce blur due to camera shake and subject movement.

Enhanced Dynamic Range and Shadow Adjustment Mode
The K2000’s Enhanced Dynamic Range function allows the user to extend the dynamic range to prevent clipping in the highlight areas of the image. Additionally, Shadow Adjustment mode brings out detail in the darkest parts of the image. Combined, these functions help the user to produce beautiful, detailed images when shooting highcontrast subjects.

Large, easy-to-view 2.7-inch LCD monitor
The Pentax K2000 features a large 2.7-inch color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots of resolution. This monitor’s wide-view design allows the photographer to check the on-screen image from approximately 160 degrees both vertically and horizontally and offers digital zooming of playback images up to 16x for easy confirmation of the image’s focus and subject details.

Bright, clear viewfinder
With a lightweight penta-mirror prism and the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, the Pentax K2000’s viewfinder delivers a large, bright image with an approximately 96 percent field of view and approximately 0.85X magnification.

Digital filters for unique visual expressions
The Pentax K2000’s built-in digital filters allow users to effortlessly add creative and artistic touches to recorded images without the use of a PC. Users may select one of 14 different digital filters including the new Toy Camera and Retro filters to create the desired visual effect.

Additional Features

• Energy-efficient power supply, recording approximately 1,650 images with four AA-size lithium batteries (included)
• Status screen, displaying camera settings on the LCD monitor for at-a-glance confirmation
• Index function, for five different types of display and printing modes
• Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
• Simultaneous recording of RAW and JPEG format images
• Compatibility with SD and SDHC memory cards
• In-body development of RAW images
• Compatibility with SDM autofocus lenses for quiet, smooth focus operation
• Pentax PHOTO Laboratory 3 RAW data processing software and Pentax PHOTO Browser 3 browser software included

What's in the Box

K2000 body, DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL lens, AF200FG auto flash, USB cable I-USB17, video cable I-VC28, strap O-ST53, hotshoe cover, eyecup, body mount cover, finder cap, Software CD-ROM, AA Lithium batteries (4), lens hood PH-RBA 52mm, lens cap O-LC52 52mm, rear lens cap, case for AF-200FG

Product Description

FEATURES 10.2 effective megapixels - 10.2 megapixel CCD sensor offers superior image resolution with maximum control over noise. Ultra-compact, lightweight design - One of the smallest and lightest available designs makes the K2000 perfect for spontaneity. Easy one-handed operation with a comfortable carrying weight makes transitioning from a point and shoot trouble-free. PENTAX Auto Picture - Expect the right exposures with the settings you want. Auto Picture mode automatically calculates photographic factors to pick the best picture mode, optimizing the camera settings for any situation. Scene modes - Ten intuitive Scene modes offer point-and-shoot ease by further optimizing the camera for common situations and subjects. 2.7 inch LCD monitor - A 2.7 inch high-resolution, wide-view LCD monitor beautifully displays your pictures, and provides intuitive, easy-to-read menus. PENTAX-developed body-based Shake Reduction - With body-based Shake Reduction, the PENTAX SLR system will stabilize your shots, providing maximum flexibility with no compromise in optical quality. It increases your handheld shooting shutter speed range by 2.5 to 4 stops for blur-free pictures, and is compatible with every PENTAX lens ever produced. Help Button - Leave the manual at home. The dedicated and reprogrammable Help Button on the K2000 is like having a built-in user?s guide. It clearly explains camera settings to ease the transition from compact photography to DSLR mastery. Dust Alert function - Dust Reduction and Dust Alert features eliminate the need for time-consuming retouching by minimizing dust and determining if and where any dust remains after the system is activated. Pentax Real IMage Engine (PRIME) - PRIME image processing engine maximizes image properties and allows custom adjustment of image parameters, such as truer color tones, a wider dynamic range, and natural-looking high ISO images. Full backward lens compatibility - PENTAX has manufactured ...

See all Product Description

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 65 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars First Pentax I would recommend without reservation December 20, 2008

By E. J Tastad TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Amazon Verified Purchase

Pros:
High quality (sturdy feeling)
Well designed
Superb Image quality
No pattern noise at high ISOs (looks more like film grain)
In body image stabilization

Cons:
No image orientation sensor (if you hold portrait style have to manually rotate)
No red focus confirmation dot (still has green dot in viewfinder at bottom)

Who should buy the K2000? Anyone also considering entry level Nikon or Canon DSLRs. This is fully competitive, but offers in body image stabilization that works with any lens (old and new). Nice feature set at a great value.

The auto focus of this camera is improved, focusing more precisely in low light than previous Pentax models, and also works with the new SDM lenses. Auto white balance is also improved. It does much better under tungsten light than some previous Pentax cameras.

The shake reduction is highly effective, as much so as most in lens systems. About 3 f-stops for me. This is a handy feature because it works with ALL lenses. You don't have to keep buying the same feature for $100 to $500 every time you buy a lens for which you want stabilization. Not to mention, when a new body comes out you get an improved stabilizer. With an in lens system, you have to replace your lenses to get improved stabilizers.

Even though this is a no frills system, it is very capable for those advanced amateurs or pro's looking for a compact body to use with the Pentax Limited prime lenses (compact lenses offering outstanding image quality). The big two haven't invested many resources in prime lenses suitable for APS-C sensors (by far the best selling dSLRs), Pentax has bucked the industry trend with their superb DA Limited series lenses.

Image quality is outstanding. I used it at a studio shoot recently, and had no issue. My only complaints were the lack of user selectable focus points (besides all or center only) and lack of orientation sensor. For the most part these were easy to work around. The picture results were stunning, even up to ISO 800. By 1600 there starts to be a fair amount of noise, but there is no pattern to it (my K20d has awful horizontal pattern noise). These photos are highly suitable for B&W conversion, and they resemble high speed film better than many digital cameras.

In conclusion, you get a lot of bang for you buck with this camera. The bundled AF200FG flash is very good compared to any built in flash offering much better range, better fill, and being off camera helps reduce red eye and shadowing from lenses. The kit lens is excellent at apertures 5.6 and up at any focal length (it is a tad soft at the corners at wide angles at apertures larger (smaller number) than f/5.6. I mounted it to the K20d and it had no problems resolving for the higher resolution sensor. I recommend this without many reservations (see my cons), and for a starter or enthusiast it is a great little camera. With my review title, it is the first time I can feel comfortable to recommend a Pentax to a non-DSLR user (previously they have been better enthusiast, non-beginner models).

Update One: First set of batteries that came with the camera have more than 1000 shots on them, many of these with the flash. This has truly amazing battery life, especially considering how much the back LCD is illuminated (no top information display). This would last many users a year!

The only other little things I have noticed is there is no slot for a cable remote and the back LCD can be bright. This camera wouldn't be the best for star trails for example, but this will only impact a small percentage of users.

I still love it!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pentax K2000 w/18-55mm lens and AF200FG Flash December 29, 2008

By John Five

This is a great camera. Its pictures are stunning. The camera is well built and it feels solid in your hand. The kit lens is excellent and it uses all of my old 35mm Pentax lenses with the camera's stabilization feature.

The camera is very intuitive to use; I was able to use it right out of the box and have then progressed to use more and more powerful features by reading the manual. The features are all well thought out; this camera clearly implements many lessons learned from previous DSLR's because so many things are done so well. It is simply very well engineered.

I have had a series of point and shoot digital cameras over the last several years including a Fuji, a Sony and a couple of Canons. Before that I used a 35mm Pentax SLR and am therefore familiar with SLR operation. I also have a number of good lenses from the film SLR.

Part of my enthusiasm is this is my first DSLR and it offers so much more than the point-and-shoots and my old 35mm SLR. For example, I have been using its RAW feature and can save photos in both a Pentax and a standard Adobe RAW format, the latter I was able to use with Photoshop Elements 6 and have found all kinds of useful adjustments that were never available to me before.

I also like the fact that this camera uses regular AA batteries available anywhere.

The AF200 flash works well in my group photo shots and is a great value bundled with the camera. It has a nice diffuser cover for the flash to support wide angle shots. On the negative side, the AF200 is not extremely powerful-- I was used to a more powerful one with my old 35mm's external flash and the AF200 can not be swiveled to bounce the flash off the ceiling--another feature I miss. However, it is much more powerful than the pop-up on the camera and it too uses AA's.

Another feature I like about this camera is its low light performance. The pictures I took at night making use of high ISO and image stabilization were simply amazing.

The camera does not have live display on the LCD on the back; you have to look through the viewfinder. Despite my recent experience with the point-and-shoots which all have live view, I have not missed that feature-- looking through the viewfinder works well for me under all lighting conditions.

Overall, this has proven to be the perfect camera for me. I STRONGLY recommend it for folk coming from the point-and-shoot world and if you happen to have some old Pentax lenses (or buy some on e-bay) it makes an even more compelling purchase. Five stars!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars "Upgrade" from K100D January 16, 2009

By Brent D

Amazon Verified Purchase

I own a Pentax K100D which was my first DSLR. Enjoyed for 2 years shooting sports photos (runners) and landscapes. Main issues were somewhat slow focus and having to clean sensor (30 minutes and test photos) with almost every lens change.
The new 2008 cameras almost all have built in sensor cleaners which are worth their weight in gold. I wanted faster autofocus and the "cleaner" so I looked at many reviews for all entry or middle level SLR brands. It came down to the Canon XSI, Sony A300 and the Pentax K2000. The Pentax 200D and 20D used existing autofocus and reviews all said they were slow.
With built in image stabilization, the flash included, and the 5 point auto focus (faster than the 11 point K100D) I decided on the Pentax. The Canon and Sony have live view, but if you haven't used it for awhile you won't miss it. I had also invested in a couple of lenses (Pentax 18-250) and a lesser priced Quantaray 70-300 zoom for the K100D, so I didn't need to spend any additional dollars.
Waiting for the spring track season and the faster continuous shooting speed, but I'm happy with everything I've taken so far. Slightly smaller than the K100 body, but sturdy and controls well placed. Help button is new and works very well, especially for the new SLR user.
I'm used to AA's for power and always keep an extra set charged.