Pentax IQ Zoom 120Mi Quartz Date 35mm Camera

by Pentax

Product Details

• Item Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004U5VH
• Item model number: 120Mi
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,563 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 18, 2000

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The 38-120mm, 3.2x power zoom lens of the Pentax IQZoom 120Mi Date camera gives you a high-performance optical design and an aspherical lens element that delivers top-quality images. The zoom macro lets you shoot close-ups at any focal length from as close as 2.1 feet from your subject, while the adjustable diopter allows you to match the viewfinder image to your eyesight. This optical versatility, coupled with the lightweight, durable aluminum body, makes this camera easy to take with you everywhere.

The "actual image" viewfinder shows the image size in relation to the zoom ratio, so you'll have an accurate preview of your finished photo. An LCD panel, located on top of the camera, provides you with a wide range of data on camera operations, including: exposure counter, battery exhaustion warning, infinity-landscape, spot AF, red-eye reduction, flash-on/flash-off, slow-speed shutter, bulb, self-timer, and remote control. It comes equipped with an electro-luminescence (EL) illuminator, which is automatically turned on in the dark for easy confirmation of the displayed data. This lets you confirm the settings at a quick glance whether it's day or night.

Even under complicated lighting conditions, the six-segment multipattern metering system consistently gives you perfectly exposed images. When the camera's metering system detects a low light or backlight situation, the built-in flash automatically provides fill-in illumination. The 120Mi lets you chose from a variety of flash functions, including: flash-on/flash-off (museum mode), slow shutter sync (sunset mode), bulb-sync (fireworks mode) and bulb mode (evening mode). It also offers a red-eye reduction feature that helps eliminate most of the red-eye effect that can appear in a subject's eyes. When combined with the metering system, the passive five-point autofocus system ensures crisp, high-quality focusing, even when shooting a subject at a distance or through a glass window. If you want to focus on just a single element of the scene, you can switch to the IQZoom's Spot Autofocus mode.

With a single flick of a switch, you can select panorama mode at any frame of the film. This feature lets you take a standard shot, then a sweeping landscape, and back to a standard shot--all on the same roll of film. When the IQZoom 120Mi is left unused for three minutes (or five minutes in the self-timer mode) with the power on, it automatically retracts the zoom lens to the storage position to protect it from damage and turns the power off to conserve batteries.

The date feature lets you imprint the date or day and time on your photographs, ensuring that you will never forget when you took that roll of film. You can choose from one of five different settings: year-month-day, month-day-year, day-month-year, day-hour-minute, and blank.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best ..., August 2, 2000

By 

William J. Azer (Lowell, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax IQ Zoom 120Mi Quartz Date 35mm Camera (Electronics)

This is one of the best point-and-shoot camera's i have used. It is great for the point and shoot action. The remote is a wonderful feature for taking family picures, especially with a table top tripod. The zoom movement is nice and smooth, unlike a similar Samsung camera i was evaluating.

Thge only drawback is that the flash and the zoom are a drain on the battery. although i hear that is the story of most point-and-shoot cameras with zoom.

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great camera, especially for non-photographers, July 1, 2001

By 

Old Fisherman "Jim" (Orange, California USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentax IQ Zoom 120Mi Quartz Date 35mm Camera (Electronics)

For years I've either schlepped my old Konica FC-1 around and had to change lenses when I wanted close ups or I just took an inexpensive point and shoot camera with me. Consequently I didn't take many pictures. However, I'm going to Europe this summer for the first time and I wanted an easy to carry camera that would use 35mm film and have a zoom lens. I chose the Pentax 120mi.

What a great little camera. First of all, it's light-weight. Fits right in your shirt pocket so there's no excuse not to take it. Secondly, it's rugged with the aluminum body (and it looks cool too). Third, it's easy to use. Turn it on, the lens pops out, point it, zoom if you want, push the button. If you need more light the flash fires, the film advances and you're ready for the next picture. Loading film? Slap the film in, close the case and the film winds automatically. If for some reason it didn't work right it tells you so you know to open the camera back up and try again. Want the date on your pictures? No problem. Don't want the date? Push a few buttons and the date is gone. Want to take panoramic shots? Move the switch on the bottom and you're in panoramic mode, and the viewfinder changes so you know what mode you're in. You can even adjust the diopter in the viewfinder so it looks clear to you (which is a bonus for people like me with crappy eyesight).

However, the best thing about this little guy is the pictures it takes. I just got my first roll of film back and I've never taken pictures this good before. Colors are sharp and crisp and everything is in focus because of the autofocus. I took daytime shots, indoor shots, outdoor shots, and they all came out perfectly. What more can I say. This is one great camera. I know I'm going to take a lot of pictures in Europe this summer.

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Camera!, August 23, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentax IQ Zoom 120Mi Quartz Date 35mm Camera (Electronics)

I recently purchased this camera and I am extremely pleased with it. I did alot of comparison shopping before I decided on the Pentax 120Mi QD. This camera has more features than you would expect with such a compact design. The real-size viewfinder makes cropping pictures a breeze, while the auto-backlight feature is a welcome addition that makes a HUGE difference and cannot be found on many models in this price range or even a little higher. The features are so simple to use that even a novice will get the hang of it in no time. The camera and zoom lens feels solid and sturdy and the aluminum body makes this camera both durable and attractive. I've compared the photos from this camera and similar point and shoot cameras (like the olympus stylus zoom) and high dollar SLR's and found that the Pentax 120Mi QD produces the same, if not better quality and detail. If you are in the market for a reliable, feature-packed compact point and shoot camera, get this camera...you won't be disappointed!!