Customer Reviews

Pentax IQ Zoom 200 QD Date 35mm Camera

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If you are looking for a point and shoot (P&S) camera which has it all (and if you dont mind paying those extra $$ for a quality product) then you should seriously consider the Pentax IQ Zoom 200. This is probably one of the best in P&S film cameras. Its powerful 200mm zoom feature (I think its the highest in this category) lets you capture those spots you never thought you'll be able to (clearly). The powerful zoom lets you take great pics (as in the zoo).

Ergonomics: I found the position of the viewfinder (to the left corner as opposed to the usual center) very helpful in adjusting when taking pictures (in vertical) without a pivot. When you rest the camera vertical over a couple of books (for the correct height adjustment), the viewfinder is at the top and its very convenient compared to the case when its in the center.

Features: Apart from the normal and flash (daylight sync) mode, it has the following-

Slow speed without flash: Used when flash photography is prohibited (theaters/museums) and low light conditions exist

Slow speed with flash: To photograph subjects and background in a balanced way (flash for foreground and slow speed for low-light background)

Bulb mode: long exposure times (fireworks and night scene)

Bulb Synch: Uses flash in addition to the bulb mode to take a protrait photo with a night scene in the background.

It has red-eye reduction, self-timer (10 seconds) and can also be controlled by remote. The LCD panel gives a clear readout and also indicates any errors. Has auto-focus, spot-focus and focus-lock (for difficult to focus subjects). You can also take photos in the panorama mode (as in the beach). I would recommend getting the quartz date model (which prints the date automatically). You can change the date mode from mm-dd-yy to other combinations like dd-mm-yy (common in the East), yy-mm-dd. Use film of ISO 400 for better pictures. The Multi-exposure mode lets you superimpose pictures onto a single frame to create fantastic illusions. All in all its a camera which gives you the maximum features with the ease of operation and has a powerful zoom. You could get a digital camera for the same price but it will not have the features like this one.

The only thing I'll crib about is the cost. But if you are willing to invest those $$ for great pictures then this is what you should get. Pentax has a very informative web-site which you might want to check too.

I bought this camera for two reasons - a 200mm zoom in a automatic 35mm size, and for all its cool features, such as panorama and infinity clear focus, which makes it ideal for outdoor shooting. Let me tell you, though it's a little bulky (the Olympus Stylus zoom cameras are smaller), I wouldn't trade this camera for anything. If you want professional quality shots but aren't a photo pro, this is the camera for you. The Pentax lens is characteristically sharp. And despite its lightweight, it's rugged enough to go most anywhere.

If you can find it, get the non-date version and save some money; I still don't understand how anyone could want the date printed on their pictures.

This is a fantastic camera that I've been recommending to everyone. I had bought a simple Olympus one shot for a trip to Europe. After shooting nearly 12 rolls of film, I got the photos developed, and none of them had turned out. It seems that at the manufacturing plant there had been something covering one of the lenses in the camera that hadn't been removed. Furious I called Olympus who never called back. Classic example of horrible customer service dicatating future sales. The Pentax on the other hand is a miracle! The camera is much more light weight than you'd think given it's size, and the durable design makes it easy to hold even with just one hand. It has the option of removing the time/date stamp if you want which is nice. Some don't give you that. The great thing is the camera comes with six different flash modes to set for various light settings. For people who are camera novices, don't be alarmed. In two small pages the booklet explains what they are, and it's really quite simple. The zoom is terrific, and there's a meter inside that lets you know if the camera can't figure out what you're focusing on. The camera almost makes it hard to take a bad picture. There's also the added feature of choosing between standard and panorama, as well as red eye reduction. One thing I did learn about red eye. Remember it's reduction, not elimination. The reason red eyes happens is because in the small cameras the flash is situated so close to the lens. So no camera with red eye reduction can completely eliminate it. The camera does cost a bit more, but I've learned the hard way you get what you pay for. I plan to have this one for a long time!

This one is going back. The pictures are great yes, but the camera is annoying. For one thing, you cannot turn it on without 2 hands and even then, the flash pops out right into your fingers as you turn the dial. You may not think that is a big deal but do you really want to fumble around with the camera every time you turn it on?

Also, the viewfinder is inexplicably murky and dark. Hard to see though. I had it at my daughter's soccer awards show in the auditorium of the school (you know, with that hideous yellowish lighting) and I simply could not see her through the viewfinder from about 30 feet.

The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because the pictures are great and the zoom is the longest in the point and shoot class. But I think I can get pictures just as good without these frustrating elements of use. I am going to try the Olympus Stylus 140 which is $100 cheaper. I'll let you know how that one is....

For last few weeks I had a hard time while looking for new camera I decided to buy. I wanted something compact in size, automatic, but with wider variety of functions, zooming and more options to control picture taking. At last I found this camera and realized that actually, this is what I really wanted:

* it is more compact than professional cameras with changeable lenses (although it is more robust than usual automatic camera)

* its modes gives you better control when taking snapshots in particular situations, where other automatic cams just don't work properly (backlit, night scenes ...)

* autofocusing system and optics of this camera are of very high quality what makes pictures taken to look very sharp, with awesome colors even if using cheap low-sensitive (ISO 100) film - I tried it and the resulting snapshots were much more better as ones taken from different camera using ISO 400 film...

* and finally operating this camera is very simple so you don't have to be experienced photographer to use it and still you'll be making very good pictures. This camera for example automatically finds out what type of film you are using, so you don't have to take care for almost anything when changing film (just to have a new one with you :) ).

To sum up, this camera is perfect choise for ones who do not want to be a proffessional photographers but still are concerned about how do their pictures look like and want to have bigger freedom in picture-taking control while experimenting with camera. Anyway, it is not apropriate for people who just want to "press button and that's it". Of course, it is possible, but in such case you will not exploit all the features and so you don't need to pay so much, but you better buy something cheaper...

I had previously owned an Olympus stylus 115, a Samsung 105 and was very disappointed with the picture results. This has been an answer to our dreams! The pictures are clear, and color is great! The zoom feature is awesome! Some of the portraits we have taken are super. I couldn't be more pleased. The price is high, but it is worth it for the dependable results!

Bought this camera right before heading to Africa for safari, then to Yellowstone. I was amazed at the clarity, even of shots taken with the max zoom. I also like the ability to make the camera "more manual" with the options of flash, no flash, panorama (which I used for Victoria Falls!!) This was perfect for getting those upclose (yet still safe) photos of wildlife as well as the typical streetscapes, people photos.

Mine was just stolen and I am immediately planning to replace it with exactly what I had before.

This camera has many wonderful features. I love the zoom which I have used to take some otherwise completely unreachable pictures. The pictures were clear, even when taken at the maximum zoom. Also, the features allowing fill-in flash, slow shutter, and bulb have allowed me to take some beautiful and creative photos.

The flaws? I bought the camera but days before a trip to Chiapas, and unfortunately did not have a chance to take a "trial" role. Thus, after taking four rolls of film, I discovered that the frame in the viewfinder is VERY different than what you will see on the photo. In particular, a good portion of what appears in the bottom of the frame is cut off. This is a problem whether taking pictures horizontally or vertically, but particularly the latter. Some pictures of things like churches or other subjects that looked perfectly centered in the viewfinder ended up cut off and/or completely off-center in the photo. Needless to say, it was very disappointing.

Other flaws are overexposure flaws that occurred on some photos, something that never happened with my previous simply Samsung camera! Furthermore, this camera will give you only 35 pictures on a 36-exposure roll of film. In each case, the last picture was cut in half.

Overall, I can take some wonderful photos, but beware and compensate for the flaws described above!

This is by far the best little camera ever. Just read the technical data and reviews on this product and it literally sells itself. Though please ignor the above review that states "you can use a function which lets you out the date in the bottom left corner of the picture and there are about 500 different phrases you can put at the top of the picture. " because who ever wrote that review has mistaken their camera which is really an Efina T, if it is by Pentax. The Zoom 200 does not have the feature to add text to your photos. The only feature it has is the date stamp. So, if you want a camera that does everything easily with great power except having the option to add text on the bottom of the picture, this is the camera for you.

This seems to be a powerful camera with many options; probably more than I need, but I can see that there is a great deal to explore, as this camera appears to have much to offer. I am a novice, and purchased this camera for it's apparent excellent zoom capability.
I have been amazed at the clarity and definition I've acheived without really knowing what I'm doing! With just a normal 200 film, I've gotten some beautifully crisp, detailed pictures. I would say that this camera is wonderful for someone with some experience, or someone willing to take time to learn. I think that with myself, it has taken some great everyday pictures despite my lack of expertise. It also appears that this camera has the ability to provide much more than I've tapped into yet. It's definately a cut above the regular point and shoot camera; an excellent camera for sharp portrait pictures. It's a user friendly, solid camera. I'm glad that I bought it. I've got alot to learn, but feel that I've purchased an excellent product that will afford me some quality pictures in the years to come.