In the compact digital SLR category, this is
one of the best we've seen to date. It consistently takes excellent pictures
both indoors and out. For point-and-shoot shutterbugs, there are plenty
of automatic features to make their transiton to the DSLR world smooth,
but there's also a full complement of advanced features that can be deployed
as a photographer gains experience, sophistication and familiarity with
the camera.
Our review unit included
a 55-300mm F/4-5.8 Pentax-DA ED zoom. The glass performed admirably, although
there were some occasions when it and the autofocusing system spent too
much time hunting for the correct focus setting. Still, the long lens
did a great job, especially at capturing close-ups even when lighting
conditions were less than optimal.
The long zoom coupled with the
K200D's high speed--2.8 frames a second--sequiential shooting mode and
continuous auto focusing, enable a photographer to catch just the right
moment when snatching images of an action event.
Pockerazzi whose teeth
are set on edge by flash photos being washed out or marred by exposure
problems will delight in the K200D's indoor performance. Exposures were
consistenly natural looking and if a particular indoor situation is challenging,
flash output and synchronization can be altered to address the conditions.
Aperture: F/4.5 Shutter Speed: 1/45 ISO: 400
The K200D's built-in flash not
only performs well indoors, but can be used outdoors to more evenly expose
shots. In the photo below, the birdhouse was in shadow and the background
in sunshine. By utilizing the camera's Slow-Speed-Sync function, the scene
can be evenly exposed.
Sensitivity for the K200D ranges
from ISO 100 to 1600. At 100, resolution is very good, as the detail in
the photo at the left indicates. At 1600, as might be expected, quality
drops off, but while sharpness is affected, the camera does a good job of
reducing noise levels at high ISO levels.
Aperture: F/8 Shutter Speed: 1/180 ISO: 100
Aperture: F/13 Shutter Speed: 1/1000 ISO: 1600
Compare Prices for NEW PENTAX smc DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED f/ K-x K-7 + 8 YR
Image Quality
