Cameras like the Pentax K200D are
designed to attract non digital SLR users to the mirrorcam fold, although
you don't have to be a newbie to appreciate this model's affable feature
set. There may be smaller and lighter compact DSLRs in the market, but
you'll be hard-pressed to find a friendlier one than the 10.2-megapixel
K200D, which sells in the $499-$550 body-only range.
For a compact DSLR, the K200D is beefy, weighing in at 2.87 pounds with
its standard 18-55mm lens, but it's well balanced which makes it feel
lighter than it is.
Like many DSCs in the category, this Pentax model has an APS-C sized
sensor, which is slightly smaller than a frame of 35 millimeter film.
Controls on the camera, are located where they can be seen and reached.
And there aren't an overwelming number of them.
At 2.7 inches, the unit's LCD is slightly smaller than those found in
the newer compact DSLRs entering the market now, but the display is sharp
and bright and there's plenty of room to support very legible text sizes.
Another feature in newer compact models--framing and capturing images
directly from the LCD--isn't included in this Pentax model, although it
does include a "preview" mode that will display a photo before
it's shot. What's more, the white balance settings of a picture can be
altered and the effect of those changes will be reflected in the preview
shot.
This Pentax snapper also has a monochrome LCD for viewing important information
about a shot. Alternatively, similar information in a more readable and
attractive format can be displayed on the LCD by poking the unit's INFO
button.
In general, menu systems in digital cameras can be challenging. That's
true with this digcam's menu system, too, especially with its set-up and
custom menu trees. However, frequently used functions--sequential shooting
modes, white balance, light sensitivity and flash modes can be swiftly
selected via the Fn button at the back of the camera.
For experienced photographers, there's plenty of flexibility for controlling
exposure, shutter speed, light sensitivity and flash parameters. For less
savvy snapperjacks, there's a full auto setting and a number of picture
and scene settings that automatically program the camera to accommodate
typical photographic situations such as "kids," portrait and
sports.
Overall picture quality for the camera was very good. Its exposure system
consistently produced eye-pleasing results and its autofocusing system
kept subjects in sharp focus. With a long zoom--55-300mm--there were some
occasions when the autofocusing system was a little fussy before finding
a sharp setting.
A respectable light sensitivty range is supported by the K200D--ISO 100-1600.
Although there's some drop off in quality, as might be expected, at the
high end of the range, noise reduction technology in the camera does a
good job of keeping images relatively clean.
A nice bonus of the camera is it has a Sensitivity Preferred mode. It
lets you dynamically choose the ISO setting for a shot and the camera
will automatically pick the appropriate aperture and shutter speed for
it.
Pictures captured with the camera can be stored as JPEG or Pentax RAW
(PEF) files, as well as Adobe's RAW format, DNG.
In a departure from the norm for this category of camera, Pentax chose
to power the unit with AA batteries. Ordinarily, I find that choice wanting,
but in this case, the performance of four AA Energizer Lithium batteries
was outstanding. One quartet of AAs lasted for hundreds of photos and
was still powering the unit when I returned it to Pentax after I completed
my review.
Two software programs are included with the camera. One is for organizing
a photo library; the other for editing RAW files. Both offerings area
a notch above the typical limpware packaged with many digital cameras.
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Introduction
