Our rating:
Pentax K-m / K2000 review
The K-m offers simplified, user-friendly operation, in an easy-to-maneuver,
compact, lightweight body. Designed with those new to digital SLR
photography in mind, PENTAX engineers have developed the K-m body with a
newly designed control system which simplifies operation. While compact in
size, there has been no compromise in image quality and features. The K-m
has an upgraded version of the PENTAX-original Auto Picture mode, which
automatically detects the type of subject or scene and sets the proper
shooting mode, and a host of advanced features and sophisticated functions,
including the innovative in-body Shake Reduction mechanism, 10.2 megapixel
CCD with the sophisticated PRIME (PENTAX Real Imagine Engine),
comprehensive Dust Removal system and high-speed continuous shooting at
approximately 3.5 frames per second. The K-m’s Custom Image function
and 14 built-in digital filters, including the new Toy Camera and Retro
filters, let you add some creative and artistic touches to your images with
ease. The K-m Lens kit includes the smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL
lens which covers the wide-angle to medium-telephoto ranges.
High-quality image - The K-m combines a large, high-performance CCD image
sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm) with the sophisticated PRIME (PENTAX Real Image
Engine) as its imaging engine. With its approximately 10.2 effective
megapixel resolution, it produces beautiful, fine-detailed images with
subtle gradations and delicate texture description. It also features a
Custom Image function, which lets you select one of six finishing touches
to reflect your creative intentions with ease.
Compact, lightweight body - Despite the incorporation of a large-sized
image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm), the K-m offers a compact, lightweight body
to assure remarkable portability and maneuverability. The camera grip has
also been redesigned to assure a firm, comfortable hold of the camera.
PENTAX-original Shake Reduction mechanism for sharp, blur-free images - The
PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism effectively reduces camera
shake for sharp, blur-free images even under demanding shooting conditions.
This innovative SR mechanism offers an outstanding compensation effect, up
to the equivalent of approximately four shutter steps. The K-m does not
require special anti-shake lenses and can be used with almost all existing
PENTAX interchangeable lenses.
Comprehensive Dust Removal system - The user-friendly DR (Dust Removal)
system prevents dust from appearing on captured images. Applied to the CCD
image sensor surface (or low-pass filter) through the vapour deposition
process of a fluorine compound, the PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect)
coating effectively prevents dust and stains from sticking to the surface.
Any dust that remains on the surface will be shaken off when the SR system
shifts the image sensor at high speed. Dust that is shaken off the image
sensor will fall onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR
unit, eliminating any possibility of it returning to the image sensor
surface. This DR system also offers a Dust Alert function, which allows you
to check for dust on the CCD before and after operating the DR system.
Auto Picture mode for automatic selection of optimum shooting mode - The
PENTAX-developed Auto Picture mode is programmed to automatically select
the most appropriate shooting mode (such as Portrait, Landscape and Macro
and new with the K-m, Night Scene Portrait mode) for a given subject or
situation. All camera settings, including aperture, shutter speed, white
balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness, are automatically adjusted by
the camera for optimum results, allowing you to concentrate on image
composition and shutter opportunity.
High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 3.5 frames per second - The K-m
lets you keep shooting images at the speed of approximately 3.5 frames per
second (for a five frame burst in the JPEG recording format, 4 frames in
RAW), allowing you to capture a sequence of shots of a fast-moving subject
with great ease.
High-precision 5-point AF system - The K-m incorporates a five-point
wide-area AF system (SAFOX VIII with five cross-type sensors, each
sensitive to both horizontal and vertical subjects) to assure dependable,
high-precision autofocusing.
Auto sensitivity control up to ISO 3200 - The K-m’s auto sensitivity
control function automatically sets the optimum sensitivity between ISO 100
and ISO 3200, based on such data as the subject’s brightness level and
the lens’ focal length. This function lets you to take advantage of
faster shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor sports
events and nighttime scenes) in order to effectively reduce image blur from
both camera shake and subject movement.
Effective gradation compensation - The K-m’s dynamic-range expansion
function allows you to expand a dynamic range (or a range of gradation
reproduction) to minimize white-washed areas in the image while its shadow
compensation function minimizes pitch-black areas lacking details.
Combined, they help you to produce beautiful, rich-gradation images when
shooting high-contrast subjects.
Large, easy-to-view 2.7-inch LCD monitor - The K-m has a large 2.7-inch
colour LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots. The wide-view design
allows you to check the on-screen image from approximately 170 degrees both
vertically and horizontally. Digital zooming of playback images up to 16
times allows easy confirmation of the image’s focusing status and
details.
Bright, clear viewfinder - Thanks to a combination of a lightweight
penta-mirror prism, PENTAX-original finder optics and the acclaimed
Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, the K-m’s viewfinder delivers a
large, bright subject image with an approximately 96-percent field of view
and an approximately 0.85-times magnification.
Digital filters for unique visual expressions - The K-m’s built-in
digital filters let you effortlessly add some creative and artistic touches
to recorded images without the use of a PC. You can select one of 14
different digital filters, including the new Toy Camera and Retro filters,
to create your desired visual effect.
Other features - 10 Scene modes, switchable with simple icon selection,
make it easy for first time users to get great pictures of a range of
shooting situations, like sunrises or sunsets, without requiring complex
camera adjustments. Energy-efficient power supply, recording approximately
1,650 images with four AA-size lithium batteries.* Status screen,
displaying camera settings on the LCD monitor on the camera’s back panel,
offer at-a-glance confirmation Index function for five different types of
display and printing modes Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering,
center-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various
photographic applications Simultaneous recording of RAW- and JPEG-format
images Compatibility with SD and SDHC memory cards as external
data-recording media In-body development of RAW-format images using
settings as taken or custom adjustment such as B&W Infrared
Compatibility with SDM-equipped lenses for quiet, smooth autofocus
operation as well as having in body focus motor for compatability with
older AF lenses Full featured PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 RAW data processing
software and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3 browser software included on the
accompanying CD-ROM *Under testing condition prescribed by PENTAX, when
using AA Lithium batteries with no flash
Be the first, who wrote a review.
Write a review