Pentax K110D 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.8 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000FTHR7U
• Item model number: 19028
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,880 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 27, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Pentax K110D combines 6.1 effective megapixels with a host of advanced technologies to deliver high-quality digital SLR photography and user-friendly operation to all levels of photographers. The ease of use, advanced features, and attractive price also make the Pentax K100D digital SLR a perfect choice for users moving up from a point-and-shoot camera. Both the K110D and the K100D reflect a new digital SLR naming system that references the reverse compatibility that each body has with the legacy of Pentax K-mount lenses.

Features:

11-point wide-frame AF to capture off-center subjects in crisp focus
The K110D's sophisticated SAFOX VIII autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors) to automatically focus on the subject with utmost precision, even when it is positioned off center. The in-focus sensor point is automatically superimposed in red in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation. This high-precision AF system offers a choice of two AF modes: the conventional single AF, and the continuous AF, which maintains focus on the moving subject as long as the shutter release button is pressed halfway down. (The continuous AF mode is selectable by the user only when P, Tv, Av, M, or B is selected as a shooting mode on the mode dial. This mode is automatically activated by the camera when the Auto Picture Program, or one of the Picture or Scene modes, is selected.)

Bright, clear viewfinder
The K110D features a lightweight penta-mirror viewfinder, which combines Pentax-original finder optics with a Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen to deliver bright, clear subject images with a 0.85x magnification and a 96 percent field of view.

Large LCD monitor to facilitate image viewing and menu setting
The K110D incorporates a large 2.5-inch color LCD monitor on its back panel. Its wide-view design allows the Photographer to check the monitor image over 140 degrees vertically and horizontally, ensuring effortless image viewing even from a diagonal position. With a total of approximately 210,000 pixels, it also offers digital zooming of playback images up to 12 times for easy confirmation of the image's focusing status and details. The large monitor size allows for large letters, digits, and icons on the menu screens to facilitate menu confirmation and camera operations. In addition, the color scheme between the menu listings and the background is optimized for each menu screen to assure at-a-glance confirmation, even under varying shooting conditions.

Auto Picture Mode for effortless point-and-shoot SLR photography
The K110D offers the Pentax-developed Auto Picture Mode, which automatically and instantly selects one of the four picture modes--including Portrait, Landscape, and Macro--by calculating various photographic factors to assure optimum results. Since this advanced shooting mode takes away all the concerns about aperture, shutter-speed, white-balance, saturation, contrast, and sharpness settings, the photographer can concentrate on image composition and shutter opportunity.

Auto sensitivity control up to ISO equlivalent of 3200 standard output sensitivity
The K110D features an auto sensitivity control function, which automatically sets the optimum standard output sensitivity--up to 3200, which is the highest automatic setting in its class--based on such data as the subject's brightness level and the lens' focal length. Since this function allows the use of higher 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.

AA-battery power supply for easy battery replacement on the road
The K110D is powered by four AA-size batteries--available nearly everywhere around the globe--for worry-free batter replacement. It also accepts two CR-V3 lithium batteries.

True-to-life, rich-gradation images assured by 6.1 effective megapixels
The K110D features a large, high-performance 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD as its image sensor, assuring the faithful reproduction of the desired photographic intention in the resulting images--from images with beautiful out-of-focus backgrounds to those with edge-to-edge sharpness. By combining 6.1 effective megapixels with a high-performance imaging engine and advanced image-processing technologies, the K110D is designed to produce beautiful, true-to-life images that are rich in gradation. What's more, it offers a choice of two finishing touches of "Natural" or "Bright" to create a distinctive atmosphere.

Compatibility with existing Pentax interchangeable lenses
The K110D is compatible with all existing Pentax interchangeable lenses. This compatibility lets the photographer use various lenses for the same subject, or select the most appropriate lens for a given situation, assuring the top visual creativity available only through SLR photography. (Lenses compatible with the K110D are: K-, K_A-, K_AF- and K_AF2-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); 645-system lenses (with an adapter); and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Certain lenses may lose part of their functions.)

Super-compact, ultra-lightweight body with outstanding rigidity
While the K110D is designed to be compact and lightweight to enhance operability and portability, it also incorporates a newly developed stainless-steel chassis and a fiber-reinforced engineering plastic housing to reinforce its overall rigidity and durability.

Upgraded standard software package
The K100D's standard software package consists of the Pentax Photo Laboratory 3 that features the reliable Silkypix image-processing engine (developed by Ichikawa Soft Laboratory) for RAW data processing, and the Pentax Photo Browser 3 that offers faster data processing speed and better operability than the previous version, and can convert RAW images to the DNG format. DNG is a public, archival format for digital camera raw data.

Save-by-day Storage Capability on an SD memory card
Images can be stored in a standard format where all files are located in one folder, or the images can be stored in folders for each day of shooting automatically on an SD memory card.

Additional features

• High-speed shutter unit, with a top speed of 1/4000 second
• High-speed continuous shooting, up to five images (at "Best" image quality in JPEG format) at a speed of approximately 2.8 images per second
• Eight distinctive Scene modes to accommodate specific subjects/applications
• 19 custom functions to personalize camera operations
• SD memory card compatibility
• Choice of two depth-of-field preview functions (digital/optical)
• Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering, or spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
• Noise reduction mechanism to reduce digital noise during extended exposures
• USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED) compatibility for speedy data transfer to PC
• Choice of image format between JPEG (Best, Better, or Good) and RAW
• Five digital filters (Black-and-white, Sepia, Slim, Soft, and Brightness) for easy editing of recorded images
• PictBridge compatibility

Pentax 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens
With newly developed, high-performance optics, this new lens measures only one inch (25 millimeters) in length and weighs a mere 4.9 ounces (140 grams). Mounted on a Pentax digital SLR camera body, the lens protrudes very little from the camera's front panel, making it an ideal choice for carry-everywhere, instantaneous snapshot photography.

Versatile wide-angle perspective
Mounted on a Pentax digital SLR camera body--including the new K100D--this lens offers an angle of view equivalent to a 32mm lens in the 35mm format. This versatile angle of view produces natural images with a moderate perspective and an expanded depth of field (or a wide in-focus area), making it ideal for many different types of subjects and occasions, including snapshots, landscape, travel photos, and architecture.

High-performance optics
This lens incorporates a hybrid aspherical lens in its eighth optical element to effectively compensate for a variety of aberrations, which cause adverse effects on overall image quality. In order to assure high-quality image reproduction over the entire focusing range, it also features a floating mechanism, which is designed to adjust the degree of aberration compensation in relation to the focusing distance.

Limited Lens-series quality for distinctive visual description and a premium appearance
The Pentax Limited Lens series is designed for ultimate image reproduction by combining a series of mechanical and numerical evaluations with human assessment of test shot samples. True to this tradition, this new lens not only assures excellent image quality, but also produces sharp, clear images with outstanding contrast even at the maximum aperture, because its optical design has been optimized for digital photography. In addition, its lens barrel, hood, and cap are all made of a high-grade aluminum material, shaped for perfect proportions and striking beauty.

SP coating to protect the lens against water and grease
The Pentax-original Super Protective (SP) coating is applied to the front surface of the lens. Through a vapor deposition process, the lens surface is coated with a special fluorine compound to repel dust, water, and grease, making it easy to wipe off fingerprints and cosmetics.

Digital SLR-exclusive design
This lens is exclusively designed for use with the Pentax digital SLR cameras, with an image circle perfectly proportioned to the CCD size (23.5mm x 15.7mm), and optics optimized for digital imaging characteristics. Combining high-quality image reproduction with an ultra-thin, super-lightweight design, it is a perfect partner to Pentax digital SLR cameras.

Other features

• Pentax-developed Quick-Shift Focus System for instant switching to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the AF system
• Minimum focusing distance of 20 centimeters for close-up photography
• Dual filter attachment design: 43mm filters on the hood and 49mm filters on the lens (without use of the hood)

Product Description

Who says a starter digital SLR has to be stripped? Not Pentax. The vast array of features packed into the affordable Pentax K110D is impressive. This including a fast, high-precision 11-point auto focus (9 cross-type sensors) with SAFOX VIII and superimposed AF-point display. Add to this a 6.1 megapixel APS-C size CCD, sensitivity equivalent to ISO 200 to 3200, 2.8 frames per second capture rate for action photography, and a bright, high-precision Penta mirror viewfinder with 0.85X magnification. The sleek, compact body design with a high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis offers convenient SD media Card storage and High Speed USB 2.0 data transfer and operates on AA batteries, 2CR-V3 lithium batteries, or optional AC adapter.This camera comes with PENTAX smc P-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6The PENTAX smc P-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 is recommended for use with digital cameras. Ideal for beginners, it provides a focal length covering a wide to moderate wide-angle range. Like all PENTAX lenses, the smc P-DA 18-35mm F4-5.6 zoom lens is treated with PENTAX's acclaimed smc coating for maximum light transmission, sharp definition, and high contrast while minimizing flare and ghost imaging.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five...yes...FIVE stars. Proof follows., October 31, 2006

By	Fred B. Morrison (Merritt Island, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I did what I always said I'd do when deciding on a DSLR--buy the cheapest thing out there and never worry about new models trumping the old ones. It made sense for me to consider Pentax, since I have several K-mount as well as older screw mount lenses, the latter of which can be used on this body with a $15 adapter. It may come as a jolt to Nikon owners, but Pentax has FAR more reverse compatibility than Nikon. I can meter a 50 year old screw mount lens on my entry-level body. Try that with a D50.

As for features, I can't attest to the accuracy of the multipoint autofocus or the multizone metering, because I don't trust "multi" anything. For me it's single point AF and spot metering (knowing that my primary camera is an Olympus OM3 may help you understand). As for the RAW vs jpeg war, let somebody who cares argue that one. Everything I shoot is jpeg and it looks just fine to me--I never used the zone system, either. And noise/grain? If you've shot GAF 500 or 3M/Ferrania 640T slide film, you can talk to me about this issue. This camera does spectacularly through ISO 800, and even looks impressive at 1600. I've shot several images at 3200 and they look like TMAX 3200 to me. Pentax wisely kept the lid on noise reduction, so things may look noisy or grainy, but they do not lack for detail.

The fifth star? For the bargain price? No, that would be condescending. I discovered, after the fact, that the camera provides some image-tweaking features, such as conversion to monochrome; or to sepia (it does look just a touch too yellow for me--but still quite acceptable). But the fifth star goes to the "soft" setting, which produces a gorgeous Gaussian blur, which could not look better if I'd custom-designed it myself. I know--it's jpeg, and I lose a little info when I use these things--that's my business.

So there you are--400 bucks for a digital SLR body. I skipped the "kit" lens, because at its longest focal length, 55mm, it's only f/5.6--I rarely stop DOWN that far. Besides, I already have a pinhole camera. The body feels tightly constructed, controls are as logical as any digital is likely to be, and it won't break the bank. And if you're worried about "only" 6 Megapixels--please--with such low noise levels it provides anything you'd need short of producing murals.

12-31-06: Some added thoughts. My guess is many of you have been reading about the Leica M8 digital and how sensitive it is to infrared. Evidently this creates issues with color shots, but it opens up a whole other world of creative shooting. I tried my Hoya R72 filter--which transmits NO visible light, only IR--on my K110,
and while the optical viewfinder was like a coal mine, once I made a shot and reviewed it on the LCD, sure enough, I had a pretty decent infrared image...BUT...with a pronounced red cast to it. So I went into the digital filter mode on the camera, converted it to monochrome (B&W) and had my digital IR. Shooting infrared film was always a dicey proposition, so don't expect shooting it digitally to be any different. I found many images benefitted from exposure compensation ranging from +1 to +2. I should also add that since exposure times are rather long, maybe this is where the stabilizer on the K100 would have been worth the extra $$$. To a degree you can bump up the ISO; I know this brings on the noise, but if you ever shot Kodak's HIE infrared, you know that coarse grain is one of its characteristics.
Bottom line--my experience with my bargain-basement D-SLR has been one of complete satisfaction. The more I shoot the more I'm coming to believe that anything over 6MP on this size chip is just the horsepower race all over again--useful for bragging rights only. I hope Pentax can continue to make a go of it, because a market dominated by only one or two players is not healthy in the long run. Maybe Hoya's "merger" will keep them going a bit longer.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice value...is stabalizer worth $100?, September 19, 2006

By	Hiram Grant "just call me Sam" - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Looking for your first digital SLR? The K110D is a great beginning. Solid construction, good image quality, and a very fine lens makes this your leader in the bargain SLR cameras.

All your standard features are here, from automatic to complete manual controls for both focus and exposure. The solid build, and the additional weight of 4 AA batteries makes this one feel a bit tougher than the competition, and has a very comfortable grip in spite of the fact its one of the smaller bodies on the market.

The viewfinder is as good as any of it's competitor's, and the larger 2.5" LCD makes using the menu or reviewing photos simple.

The use of AA batteries is welcome by many, but the drawback is that they simply don't last as long as LithiumIon batteries on a charge. Be sure to pick up some NiMh rechargable AA batteries to keep costs down.

The 18-55 is a real winner, best in its class by far. It has internal focusing, with on demand manual focusing. Build is above average, and includes a metal lens mount. The supplied lens hood is very useful.

The only real consideration is whether or not to spend the extra $100 and get the K100D, which adds a built into body image stabalizer. This is a great value for anyone interested in shooting available light photos. With these two great value cameras, and the recently announced K10D (10 megapixels) and some serious "glass" (lenses), Pentax is truly a brand on the rise!

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great value for the money - feels great in my hands!, October 27, 2006

By	Andrew Behm (Elyria, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I put off buying a Digital SLR for 3 years - but couldn't resist this one now that the price is under $[...]. I handled a Pentax *ist DS at a Costco and was impressed with its handling - this one feels even better. I found the Canon Digital Rebel and even the Nikon D50 to be a little awkward - just a little large for me - and I'm over 6'2" with pretty large hands. I had good experience with an old Pentax 35 mm camera, so feel pretty confident about it's operational ease and quality. But only time will tell that. The 2.5" LCD panel is wonderful - much easier than the old 1.6" I've used in my Nikon Coolpix 775 and 5400. And of course, the operational speed is much nicer than those older cameras - but pretty typical of the other DSLRs out there.

The few flash pictures I've taken look bright and very sharp - look forward to taking many more outside tomorrow - or whenever the weather clears a little here in Cleveland...