Pentax K100D SLR Review

By: Steve's Digicams


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Pentax K100D

Review posted 9/12/2006


Click on the K100D for a QuickTime VR tour


The PENTAX K100D combines 6.1 effective megapixels of resolution 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 PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system in the K100D effectively offers a two- to three-stop advantage for sharp, blur-free images even under difficult shooting conditions, such as 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.

The K100D's user-friendly features include a comfortable eyelevel viewfinder, a 2.5 inch color LCD monitor, a generous LCD data panel, and an innovative Auto picture mode for automatic selection of the proper exposure program. Offering quick, effortless operation and easy portability, the K100D is the ideal digital SLR for all levels of photographers, including first-timer digital SLR users and families.

The K100D is equipped to make camera operations simple and effortless for the user. From the multi-function four-way controller to the responsive electronic select dial and the large, easy-to-use mode dial, all switches and dials are efficiently and functionally laid out around the K100D's compact body to assure smooth, fingertip control. Its innovative Auto picture mode automatically and instantly selects the optimum combination of exposure settings for a given subject or situation, including shutter speed, aperture, white balance, saturation, contrast, and intensity of edges. The built-in auto flash automatically pops up in dimly lit or backlit situations. The K100D records up to 5 images consecutively at a speed of approximately 2.8 frames per second, allowing the user to capture a series of the subject's action or movement.

A wide range of compatible PENTAX lenses are available for use with the K100D including K, KA, KAF, and KAF2 mount lenses; screw mount lenses, 645, and 67 series lenses (adapter required). Some functions may not activate depending on the choice of lens.


Pentax K100D Features:

  • Built-in Shake Reduction via CCD-shift
  • High resolution, APS-C size 6.1-Megapixel CCD image sensor
  • Image sizes are: 6M 3000x2008, 4M 2400x1600 or 1.5M 1536x1024
  • Choice of JPEG with 3 quality levels or RAW recording formats
  • Software included to manipulate RAW format image data
  • Compatible with Pentax K, KA, KAF, and KAF2 mount lenses; screw mount lenses, 645, and 67 series lenses (adapter required)
  • 2.5-inch, 210,000-pixel color LCD monitor for easy viewing
  • Pentaprism viewfinder with 96% field of view
  • 16-segment metering with Multi-Segment, Spot and Center-weighted options
  • 11-point autofocus (SAFOX VIII) with Auto, Manual or Center AF point selection
  • Shutter speeds from 1/4000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb
  • Auto pop-up flash with red-eye reduction, external flash units can be used with P-TTL hot shoe
  • Auto Picture, Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Text, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum), Program AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Manual, Bulb, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait and Flash Off exposure modes.
  • 2.8fps Continuous capture of up to 5 JPEG or 3 RAW frames
  • 18 Custom Settings to personalize camera operations
  • Noise reduction function activates for long exposures
  • Playback functions; histogram, nine-image thumbnail and 12X zoom display
  • Six digital filters (black-and-white, sepia, color, slim, brightness and soft-focus) for easy post-shooting image processing
  • Uses removable Secure Digital flash memory cards
  • High-speed USB 2.0 connectivity, PictBridge and Print Image Matching III compatible
  • Powered by 4 AA batteries or 2 CR-V3 Li-ion batteries
  • Optional wireless remote controller and wired cable release


The Pentax K100D is available now as a kit bundled with the Pentax-DA Zoom 18-55mm F3.5- F5.6 AL lens, PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 RAW-data processing and PHOTO Browser 3 browser software included



Physical Views



Pentax K100D

Pentax K100D

Pentax K100D

Pentax K100D

Pentax K100D




Pentax K100D




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K100D Specifications
Type Interchangeable lens Single-Lens-Reflex type digital still camera with TTL auto exposure,autofocus and built-in retractable P-TTL auto flash.
Lens Mount PENTAX K AF mount
Compatible Lenses PENTAX KAF2, KAF and KA mount lenses; Power zoom function - Not available; K-mount lenses - usable with restrictions; S-mount lenses - usable with adapter and restrictions; 67/645 lenses - usable with adapter and restrictions
Image Sensor Interline interlace CCD.
Size: 23.5mm x 15.7mm (diagonal line: 28.40mm).
Total pixels: 6.31 megapixels
Effective Pixels 6.1 megapixels.
Recorded Pixels Large: 3008 x 2008 pixels.
Middle: 2400 x 1600 pixels.
Small: 1536 x 1024 pixels.
Sensitivity Equivalent to ISO 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
File Formats Exif 2.21, RAW, DCF, DPOF, PRINT Image Matching III
Quality Levels Compressed: 8-bit JPEG-baseline with compressibility rates of 1/3, 1/6 and 1/12 and 12-bit RAW.
Storage Media SD (Secure Digital) and SDHC support for sizes over 2GB
White Balance Auto: TTL control using image sensor.
Preset: Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light, Flash and Manual.
LCD Monitor 2.5 inch, 210,000 pixel low-reflection TFT color LCD with histogram display, 140-degree angle of view
LCD Function Single frame, zoom in/out up to 12X, nine-image index, slide show, image rotation, Digital filter, shooting data indication (including date and histogram), exposure warning, quick view (instant display of image after shooting)
Delete Function Single-frame-deletion, All-frame deletion, card format, protect
Video Output NTSC/PAL switchable
Data Interface USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Exposure Modes Program AE, Auto Picture Mode, Picture Mode, Scene mode Shutter-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Metered Manual, Bulb
Continuous Shooting Approx. 2.8 fps., JPEG (up to 5 fps.), RAW (up to 3 fps.)
Shutter Electronically controlled vertical-run focal-plane shutter with electronic release.
Speeds: 1/4000 sec. to 30 sec. and Bulb
Viewfinder Penta mirror with Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen; Viewfinder Coverage - 96%; Viewfinder Magnification - 0.85x (with 50mm f1.4 lens); Diopter Adjustment -2.5m-1 to +1.5m-1
Viewfinder Indication AF frame; Spot AF frame; Focus point indication (high lighted in red) Flash information; Continuous AF; Picture mode (Normal, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night scene portrait); In-focus; Shutter speed; Aperture value; Exposure compensation indicator; Exposure compensation factor/Number of recordable images; Shake reduction; Manual focus; ISO sensitivity warning; Auto exposure lock indicator
Exposure Metering TTL open-aperture 16-segment metering.
Spot metering and center-weighted metering selectable.
Metering range (at ISO200 with 50mm F1.4 lens): EV1 to EV21.5
Exposure compensation ±2EV (in 1/3 or 1/2EV steps)
Auto Bracketing 3 frames (proper/over/under) within range of ±1.5EV (1/2EV steps) or ±1.0EV (1/3EV steps)
Simultaneous use with exposure compensation possible.
Drive Modes Single-shot, Continuous Advance, self-timer (2 or 12 sec.), Auto Bracketing, Remote Control (0 or 3 sec. delay)
Autofocus TTL phase-matching 11-point autofocus system (SAFOX VIII) with selectable wide/spot AF
Applicable illumination range: EV 1 to EV19 (at ISO200 with 50mm f1.4 lens).
AF-Single (with focus lock), AF-Continuous, Manual
Shake Reduction CCD Image Sensor Shift
Built-in Flash (RTF) Guide number: 15.6 (at ISO200/m).
Angle of view coverage: 28mm (35mm-equivalent).
Synchronization speed: 1/180 sec.
Auto, Flash-Off, flash-on, Auto+red-eye reduction and Flash-on+red-eye reduction functions available.
Flash Synch Via hot shoe (with X-contact for dedicated flash unit).
Standard PC flash sync connector
Sensitivity range: ISO200 to ISO1600.
Flash synchronization: up to 1/180 sec.
Self-timer Electronically controlled type with 12- or 2-second delay.
Mirror lock-up mechanism available.
Mid-operation cancellation possible.
Remote Control Infrared wireless remote control with optional remote controller.
Effective range: 5m (16.6 ft.) from front side of camera.
Instant release or 3-second-delay release switchable.
Power Source 2 CR-V3 batteries or 4 AA-sized batteries (lithium, Ni-MH, alkaline).
Optional AC adapter available.
Battery Life CR-V3: Approx. 730 frames no flash, Approx. 630 frames with flash used 50% of the time
AA Lithium: Approx. 660 frames no flash, Approx. 570 frames with flash used 50% of the time
AA NiMH rechargeable 2500mah: Approx. 430 frames no flash, Approx. 300 frames with flash used 50% of the time
AA Alkiline: Approx. 80 frames no flash, Approx. 60 frames with flash used 50% of the time
Dimensions 129.5mm x 92.5mm x 70mm (5.1 x 3.6 x 2.8 inches)
Weight 560g (19.8 oz.) (w/out batteries and memory card)
(Specifications as represented by the manufacturer, subject to change)




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