Pentax K100D 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Shake Reduction (Body Only)

Other products by Pentax

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.8 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000G1DAKA
• Item model number: 19016
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,113 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Pentax K100D combines 6.1 effective megapixels with a host of advanced technologies including a Shake Reduction (SR) system 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 K100D and the K110D reflect a new digital SLR naming system that references the reverse compatibility that each body has with the legacy of Pentax K-mount lenses.

The Pentax-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system in the K100D effectively offers a two-stop advantage for sharp, blur-free images even under difficult shooting conditions, such as when using a telePhoto lens or shooting in low light without a flash. The SR mechanism is designed to minimize camera shake by oscillating the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the speed of oscillation in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor. As a result, the system does not require special anti-shake lenses and can be used with almost all existing Pentax interchangeable lenses.

Features:

Pentax-original Shake Reduction mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
The K100D features a Pentax-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system, which effectively reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under difficult shooting conditions, such as using a telePhoto lens, shooting in low light conditions without a supplementary flash illumination. The K100D SR mechanism is designed to minimize camera shake by oscillating the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the speed of oscillation in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor. This system does not require special anti-shake lenses and may be used with almost all existing Pentax interchangeable lenses. (Lenses compatible with this mechanism are: Pentax K-, K_A-, K_AF- and K_AF2-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Certain camera and/or lens functions may be disabled.)

11-point wide-frame AF to capture off-center subjects in crisp focus
The sophisticated K100D 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.)

Auto sensitivity control up to ISO equivalent 3200
The K100D features an auto sensitivity control function, which automatically sets the optimum standard output sensitivity--up to equivalent ISO of 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 Photographers reduce camera shake and prevent blurred images.

Auto Picture Mode for effortless point-and-shoot SLR Photography
The K100D offers the exclusive Pentax 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.

Large LCD monitor to facilitate image viewing and menu setting
The K100D incorporates a large 2.5-inch color LCD monitor on its back panel that offers a wide-view design that allows views from over 140 degrees vertically and horizontally, ensuring effortless image viewing even from a diagonal position. With a total of approximately 210,000 pixels, the monitor 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.

True-to-life, rich-gradation images assured by 6.1 effective megapixels
The K100D 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. Combining 6.1 effective megapixels with a high-performance imaging engine and advanced image-processing technologies, the K100D 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.

Super-compact, ultra-lightweight body, with outstanding rigidity
While the K100D 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.

Bright, clear viewfinder
The K100D features a lightweight penta-mirror viewfinder, which combines Pentax finder optics and a Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen to deliver bright, clear subject image with a 0.85x magnification and a 96 percent field of view.

Top shutter speed of 1/4000 second
The K100D offers a top shutter speed of 1/4000 second to freeze fast-moving subjects and capture decisive moments and features a flash synchronization speed of 1/180 second and a bulb setting (B) for extended exposures.

Continuous shooting at approximately 2.8 images per second
To trace the movement of an active subject or capture a sequence of the subject's expressions, the K100D offers a continuous shooting mode that allows the Photographer to capture multiple images (up to five images at "Best" image quality in JPEG format) at a maximum speed of approximately 2.8 images per second.

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, which 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 may 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 camera body features:

• 19 custom functions to personalize camera operations
• SD memory card compatibility
• Eight distinctive Scene modes to accommodate specific subjects/applications
• Choice of two depth-of-field preview functions (digital/optical)
• Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering, and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
• Noise reduction mechanism to reduce digital noise during extended exposures
• Dual power source (two CR-V3 lithium batteries or four AA-size batteries)
• 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

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

Compatible with any PENTAX lens ever produced and featuring Shake Reduction, the affordable PENTAX K100D is the kind of camera that makes history. Picture a large 2.5 inch LCD monitor with 210, 000 pixel resolution and a friendly Mode Dial offering Auto Picture and Picture modes as well as Scene modes for even simpler photography. The 6.1 megapixel APS-C size CCD and sophisticated 16-segment multi-pattern metering delivers outstanding image reproduction, while the bright, high-precision PENTAX mirror viewfinder features with 0.85X magnification. All these features combine in a compact design with high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis that is built to last.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good value SLR, August 13, 2006

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

The Pentax K100D is a nice upgrade, replacing the well thought of *ist DL camera. The K100D builds on that camera, and boast improvements in focusing and stabalization.

The improvement to multi-point, cross sensors is very welcome. This should dramatically improve the general focus operation of the camera, while at the same time, the new sytem allows the user more control than the older *ist DL. [Cross type autofocus means that at that particular point, the camera can focus on both horizontal and vertical lines. Many cameras, like the Canon Rebel XT, only have one cross sensors. This K100D has 9.]

The stabalizer is the real gem here. The stabalizer will be a big benefit to anyone who does a high percentage of the shots indoors, WITH or without flash. For candid, non-flash photos, the stabalizer allows you to shoot at slower shutter speeds. That's also great for things like museums, that don't allow flash photos.

What people sometimes miss is how the stabalizer helps with flash. The flash fires fast, up to 1/10,000th of a second. But it only lights up our subject. If no other light get through, then we have cardboard cut-out subjects standing in front of a black background. At normal flash shutter speeds, we often have a background, but much is too dark. The stabalizer allows you to shoot at a slower speed without shaking the camera. This brings out more background. Additionally, more available light strikes the subject, requiring a bit less light from the flash. This makes the subject appear more "real", our goal with flash photos.

The camera construction is solid, and a bit heavier than you might think because of its metal interior. For good or bad, the camera uses 4 AA batteries. Their easy to get, NiMH rechargables are cheap, but they weigh a bit more and don't last as long as the Lithium Ion type batteries.

Pentax has a good selection of lenses, but not up there with the likes of Canon and Nikon.

The K100D stacks up very nicely due to the built-in stabalizer, multi-zone AF, construction, and large LCD. If you have a bit more money to spend, consider the Sony A100, which upgrades to 10 megapixel and Lithium Ion battery.

Pentax has released firmware update 1.01, which now allows the camera to use the new SDHC cards which should be available soon. These cards allow you to exceed the 2GB limit of SD, with 4GB cards to be the first available.

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great camera with useful shake reduction, September 2, 2006

By	James Lin (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I took this camera on a trip to Europe and found it to work really, really well. The shake reduction was perfect for our visits to dimly lit museums. The flash also works well when you need it, and it doesn't overexpose your images.

The 18-55mm lens is really good for a kit lens. At 18mm, I found that I could usually get a decent picture of a building or room. It worked great for scenery too.

Since I didn't want to spend most of our trip adjusting my camera for each photograph, I usually just used Aperture Priority mode and auto focus. I feel that my photographs turned out great.

My only gripe is that I couldn't always get the camera to autofocus on what I wanted, but manually focusing is as simple as on any other SLR camera.

I would definitely recommend this camera for enthusiasts and even novices willing to learn a bit about photography.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best value in entry-level DSLR market., January 11, 2007

By	Dave (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

When in the market for an entry-level DSLR, I stumbled upon the K100D and ended up getting it. I'm not sorry I did. While Pentax doesn't have the market share of Canon or Nikon, this is probably the best bang for your buck as far as entry level DSLR's go. Here are some pros and cons of this camera:

PROS:
*Excellent size--not too big, not too small. Fantastic grip and shutter-button placement.
*Very solid build. Feels much better in your hand than the Rebel XT/XTi.
*In-body IS. This, to me, is the trump card for this camera. It works, and instantly any lens you have is stabilized. Even if some people argue a lens-based IS regime is better, what good is it when you can't afford the expensive IS lenses anyway? Fact is, in-body IS works--shots taken even at 1/8 to 1/10 have a much higher hit-rate with than without it.
*Can use any Pentax lens ever made. If you're like me and are on a budget, scouring eBay for deals can be fun and educational.
*Solid kit lens. Comes with the standard 18-55 but has a metal mount and is quite good, apparently, as far as kit lenses are concerned.
*Prime lenses. I can't believe how much of a difference a fast prime lens can make, and Pentax is probably the leader with these. With an f/1.7 or so lens, you just can' believe the kind of shutter speeds you can get even in low light. 1/10 on a normal lens can easily transform into 1/50 with a fast prime. It makes a huge difference.
*AA batteries. When I was in Europe with my P&S and I fried my AA NiMH charger, the fact my camera took AA's saved my butt. You can get them anywhere in a pinch, and a small investment in some good NiMH's get excellent results with this camera.
*Comes bundled with RAW software. I'm not a huge RAW shooter, but it's nice to know it's there if I want/need it. Some cameras come with RAW capibility but no software to harness it. Not this one.

CONS:
*Weak buffer/continuous shooting mode. You only get about 4-5 continuous JPG shots. If you're like me and don't shoot sports or action much, it's not so much of a big deal. If you do, you might want to look elsewhere.
*WB a little spotty. AWB is worthless in low light, but the tungsten preset is good. But it stinks that when you pop the flash it doesn't revert to flash WB, so you have to do it manually every time. It's the little things like this where Nikon and Canon probably beat Pentax.
*Slow read/write time. It just isn't very speedy, even with a fast card.
*Exposure compensation deactivates Auto-ISO. Basically, you can select your ISO range (e.g., 200-800). But if you use +/- compensation, it turns that feature off, reverting you to 200 and forcing you to change. A little annoying.

Overall, this is a great camera. There are a few annoyances and its overall operation isn't the fastest. But the images are excellent, and the in-body IS and prime lenses are a treat. Highly recommended.