Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities
of any given camera model. The images are altered only in
terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG
compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that
any marbling or artifacts visible in the images are due to
the compression required to display them here. We feel however,
that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.
STILL LIFE PHOTO
This subject is photographed in a room that has a mix of fluorescent and
incandescent light, but which is not brightly lit. The camera's flash is
used to add fill light. The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.
This wide angle image is captured using Pentax's own RAW
format, PEF, and converted to an 8-bit TIFF file (16-bit is
also available) with Pentax Photo Browser without any modification
from the camera's settings at the time the image was shot.
At the wide angle end, the 16 to 45 mm SMC Pentax-DA ED AL,
extends out 12.5 cm (4.875 inches) compared to 9.3 cm (3.627
inches) when it is at the 45 mm position.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW (PEF)
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/30 sec.
Resolution:
3872
x 2592
Flash:
On
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
100
File Size:
10.9MB (RAW)
28.8MB (TIFF)
Focal Length:
24 mm (35 mm Eq.)
The result of this extension
is that when the pop-up flash is used the image shows the
shadow caused by the lens. With this lens, the only way to
avoid this phenomenon would be to use an external flash such
as Pentax's Auto Flash AF540FGZ or Auto Flash AF360FGZ.
Similarly, a bit of vignetting — light falloff in
the corners of the frame — can be detected in the wide
angle image. On the other hand, sharpness, as can be seen
below, is very reasonable, and colour accuracy is excellent.
ZOOM
PHOTO
Now we zoom in on a specific area. The intent is to test the sharpness
of the image at the zoom's maximum setting. The camera remains at the same
distance as with the preceding photo.
The maximum magnification of the lens is only 45 mm, which
on the K10D is equivalent to a 67.5 mm, a focal length that
falls into a category generally described as "normal",
as it closely resembles the natural "focal length"
of the human eye. At the 45 mm focal length, the kit lens's
front element is retracted, and when the pop-up flash is used,
the lens casts no shadow.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW (PEF)
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Resolution:
3872 x 2592
Flash:
On
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
100
File Size:
10.2MB (RAW)
28.8MB (TIFF)
Focal Length:
67.5 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
The image is sharp, and the Auto
white balance yields colours that are consistent with those
it produced when the lens was at the wide angle position.
The 16-45mm lens offers a macro capability that allows a
sharp image with the front element of the lens 10 cm (3.9
inches) from the subject, when the lens is at the 45 mm position.
At this distance, the lens captures a field of view that
measures approximately 8.1 cm (3.159 inches) in width. There
is no serious distortion of any type, but the depth of field
can be very shallow unless a small aperture is used.
BUILDING PHOTO
This image
is our "outdoor" test. The architecture of the building,
in particular the angled girders, immediately show the presence
of jaggies.
The shadowed entrance can also often reveal the quality of the exposure.
The daylight shots in this section are captured with the
K10D's CCD stabilizer active and the camera handheld. At the
wide angle end, equivalent to a 24 mm, the 16 to 45 mm lens
is able to capture a large part of the building's wings.
The image is reasonably sharp near the centre of the frame,
but less so at the outer edges.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW (DNG)
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/100
Resolution:
3872 x 2592
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
100
File Size:
16.2MB (RAW)
28.8MB (TIFF)
Focal Length:
24 mm (35 mm Eq.)
Nevertheless, even with such a wide
angle, distortion is minimal, and so is chromatic aberration,
both of which are well-handled by the composition of the lens.
ZOOM PHOTO
Zooming in on the entrance of the building,
the shadowed entrance takes on a greater importance for the
metering and can cause an overexposure of sections that are
directly lit.
At the 45 mm end of the zoom, and at infinity focus, the
image the camera yields with the default settings is slightly
soft as well. And, as can be seen here, the multi-segment
metering does an excellent job of producing an exposure that
takes light and dark areas into account.
At this end of the zoom, there is no chromatic aberration,
nor is there any distortion.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW (DNG)
Aperture:
f4
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60
Resolution:
3872 x 2592
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Uncompressed
ISO:
100
File Size:
16.2MB (RAW)
28.8MB (TIFF)
Focal Length:
67.5 mm (35 mm
Eq.)
Similarly, the shadow areas in the
entrance are free of noise.
NIGHT PHOTO
This camera is capable of long exposures, and a photo
taken at night is presented here to give an idea of its capabilities.
Aperture: f6.3; shutter
speed: 6 sec, 100 ISO, 70 mm.
This image is the only shot
presented on this page that was captured in JPEG format, at
the highest image quality. In addition, this shot is also
captured using an SMC
Pentax-DA 70 mm f2.4 Limited. The 70 mm is an unusual
lens in that it is an extraordinarily compact medium telephoto.
Used on the K10D, it becomes equivalent to a 105 mm.
The K10D is an extremely capable camera, and is extremely
well-suited to night photography.
The K10D is equipped with
both a Manual mode that offers a timed exposure as long as
30 seconds, and with a Bulb mode that has no limit, but which
requires the use of an optional remote switch. Moreover, noise
reduction is available in the Customs Settings.
As can be seen here, the noise reduction system is effective,
and combined with a tack sharp lens such as the SMC Pentax-DA
70 mm f2.4 Limited, yields an excellent image.
Test Photos
