Pentax k10d Review

[kro77]

Hello Everyone,

Background Info:

Recently I decided to finally get a dSLR. I have been using P&S digital cameras since I gave up on my Sears SLR Pentax Clone I used in college mainly because of the price of dSLRs. However recently prices have come way down so I started looking for a sub thousand dollar setup. I looked at various cameras (Nikon d80, Canon 400d, Canon 30d, Sony Alpha, and the Pentax k10d) and finally decided on the K10d for a couple reasons.

The reasons where as follows:

1 - Price - (the K10D kit i got was for 800 dollars) lower then most of the competitors (except the Alpha), and I was not shackled to an existing platform

2 - Performance - The k10d appears to give me the visual quality and shooting performance of the higher end competitors with minor variations in ISO and image flavor.

3 - I already had 3 old Pentax manual focus lenses

4 - Comfort in my hand - I found most of the above cameras personally uncomfortable to handle. The only exception being the Alpha, but that was second to the k10d.

5 - Water resistant - I could take it on the slope with me.

Performance

So I have had the K10d for about three weeks now, and have found it really nice to work with. However one caveat I would give is this camera is not for someone who does not understand basic photographic principals. There is the green mode which helps, but if you want to take action shots you need to know how to take them. The camera does not have the various modes that are popular on P&S and some lower priced dSLR cameras that makes photography easy.

This camera is a tool, much like my old Sears SLR, it gives you the basics and you then must learn how to use it. While I enjoy this kind of approach, I can see some people getting quite frustrated with it and not like the results.

In terms of technical performance, the camera has taken some great shots, even if the subject matter is quite dull. I find the ability to shoot JPGs at 3fps +/- to be nice for some winter ski shots, and I find the colors to be very nice. However I have had to battle with the Auto White Balance on indoor shots. I have basically given up and do a Manual White Balance before I shoot indoors in less then ideal lighting conditions. However I saw this kind of behavior with most of the dSLRs I tried out.

One of the reasons I decided on the K10d was the comfort, and that includes the layout of buttons and dials. It took a day or two to figure out all the basic functions, but now I find that I can modify most everything I need to from memory and the viewfinder validates my choices. Overall I find the controls to be just great.

The flash could be better, especially since you manually have to release it, but again I believe Pentax did this because of the philosophy of this camera. However when used it is not bad, and gives me better results then my P&S flashes. But that is all I can really say since I have never really figured out flash photography and that is one of my goals this year.

Overall

If I had to grade my camera I would give it a 9 for a person that likes photography, just because I think there is always room for improvement. The first thing that comes to mind is maybe some more White Balance Presets, and second would be further tweaking of the cameras high ISO performance.

So in conclusion, I like the camera, and I would buy it again if I had to make the decision all over again.

[googlit]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/105/cameras/23812_model_large_ad9db90f3e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/cameras/pentax/k10d/)

Check out the usage stats on this camera at flickr (http://www.flickr.com/cameras/pentax/k10d/).

[kro77]

76 users according to the link. Kind of tiny compared to Canon or Nikon, but i really do not care. I always kind of like underdog products since they can often provide features that the majors refuse or ignore to introduce. I believe that Pentax did that with the k10D. It will be interesting to see how it develops in the coming months and years.

[googlit]

also remember that flickr is only a little slice of the population. and, as people will say over and over, it's not the equipment, it's the photographer!

though you can't take good pictures without a camera!

[craig60]

Pentax K10D SLR Digital Camera has an average expert rating of 89 based on 9 expert sources. You might want to read all the reviews from one page. Just compare what different experts are saying about it.

http://www.smartratings.com/review/photography/digital_cameras/349

[mangia]

Excellent camera.... I will bought it in next few months...

[property#1]

I have just bought the K10D three days ago. This after having the K100D and the *istDL. The K100D was the first DSLR I bought and loved the camera lots of great features and worked extremely well in full manual. Then after myself and the K100D took a fall from a rock ledge the the camera was destroyed, me a broken wrist. Anyway went and bough a *istDL body as a temp replacement. Certainly not the K100D picture quality not quite that of the K100 but all pictures were acceptable. The ist pictures really suffered in low light. Insurance finally came through and now the K10D wow, what a difference.
The K10D as said above is not the camera for beginners. No scene modes but multiple other modes for creativity. I myself never used any on the scene modes on the K100D almost always in aperture priority or full manual. This said, the K10's mode fit well for me. The camera itself is heavier and the grip is larger which makes it fell much better in the your hand, more secure. Having the camera in your hand and all the buttons such as the raw/jpg button, metering button and others close to your thumb and forefinger of your right hand is wonderful.
My last three days have been spent more or less in trial and error mode, taking 450 plus shots. So far I like what I see.

[Canoe911]

While I agree with your review of the K10D I must say that I do not agree with the fact that you feel it is not a good camera for beginners. I am a beginner and have just got a new K10D. I understand that it does not have easy setting such as to just turn it to landscapes or portraits. I am not rich by any means, but feel if you want to advance, you should buy the best you can afford. I think any beginner that invest in inferior gear you will not be happy with what you get later down the road. I think if you look at it like driving a car. I learned on a stick and then it was very easy to drive an automatic. So why learn on an automatic then try to relearn on a stick. I think if you want an easy camera then this one is not for you. But if you want to advance this is a great tool to learn on. Yes a pro can take great pics on a disposable camera. But if all you ever use is a disposable you may never learn to get any better.

I know I am only a beginner and you may dismiss my thoughts as just one guys feelings. But I know that I got one great camera and one great learning tool.

Thanks,
Canoe

[kro77]

While I agree with your review of the K10D I must say that I do not agree with the fact that you feel it is not a good camera for beginners. I am a beginner and have just got a new K10D. I understand that it does not have easy setting such as to just turn it to landscapes or portraits. I am not rich by any means, but feel if you want to advance, you should buy the best you can afford. I think any beginner that invest in inferior gear you will not be happy with what you get later down the road. I think if you look at it like driving a car. I learned on a stick and then it was very easy to drive an automatic. So why learn on an automatic then try to relearn on a stick. I think if you want an easy camera then this one is not for you. But if you want to advance this is a great tool to learn on. Yes a pro can take great pics on a disposable camera. But if all you ever use is a disposable you may never learn to get any better.

I know I am only a beginner and you may dismiss my thoughts as just one guys feelings. But I know that I got one great camera and one great learning tool.

Thanks,
Canoe

I might have been to harsh, or just thinking badly. When I meant beginner i was trying to lump all people into the same category. I am thinking of people that I know that want a camera that takes good photos and do not want to think about anything else. However some of these same people are under the impression that getting a DSLR will allow them to be better photogrophers. And I know this is both true and false. It allows them more choice, and at time choice can lead to problems, and cause people to give up on it. That is what I was trying to say. Sorry for the bad syntax on my part.

[Sime™]

Good little review kro77... have been hearing lots of good things about the K10D... the photography magazine I read has the editor testing one and he seems to like it / be able to pull great shots with it, but, at the same time a friend from work who was playing with my Canon 30D the other day at the pub, went out and bought a K10D... she is a complete beginner but wanted to start with something nice - after a week, she loves it.. (still no idea why she didn't buy the 30D...lol ) thanks. sime

[kro77]

I would guess the price is a big motivator between a 30d and k10d decision. I mean the k10d can be had for a song these days, but then again the modern lens selection for pentax is not even close to the level of the Canon or the Nikon selection. But that was a trade off I was willing to make.

[Gerry]

I purchased the Pentax K10D about three weeks ago. It is a learning experience. I am brandy new to DSLR's and have to learn from the bottom
up. I will be taking a class on it next month. It was a used camera and came
with two lenses, filters, battery case, and camera case. It was an opportunity too good to pass up. I agree that the what balance can be
a challenge. I was shooting a special Mass at church. Trying to change the
white balance was difficult, it was too blue,then too much orange, then
too yellow. The green button works for me for now, the pictures are
sharp and clear, the color, I need to work on. I look forward to many
years with this camera and hope to be able to use it properly within the
next few months. I love taking pictures:) Gerry

[kro77]

Hi Gary,

I am glad you enjoy the camera. I have started shooting raw predominantly and this allows me to mess with the white balance after I shoot so I do not need to worry about it being off. I have really only found the WB to be a problem in low light situations indoors. Outside it is almost spot on for me.

[VLG]

I also would class myself as pretty much a beginner & I did a lot of research before plumping for the K10d, yes it dosen’t have the program modes that many of the other cameras have, but that wasn’t a huge consideration for me. What I was looking for was a camera that I could grow with and taking all the little things into consideration e.g. the body seals, antishake built into the body, massive lens backlog, etc. all meant, I think, that I was getting my hands on to a really nice little ‘centre’ to build upon.
I went with the kit lens as again I think that they offered me plenty of flexibility verses my budget. I must say that we have been very happy together too.

[GEli]

I love mine. Great skin tones/general colour rendition, fantastic UI and the ability to use old glass is a huge plus. The Pentax A 70-210 f/4 I picked up today wouldn't be usable had Pentax pulled a Canikon/Nikkon and fiddled with their mounts. Oh, and it's got SR despite being 30 years old!

I'm also confident that should I ever be accosted with this camera in hand I could easily brain the offender with my camera coming to no harm. My best defense for my camera is, in fact, my camera!

[KRIS]

While I agree with your review of the K10D I must say that I do not agree with the fact that you feel it is not a good camera for beginners. I am a beginner and have just got a new K10D. I understand that it does not have easy setting such as to just turn it to landscapes or portraits. I am not rich by any means, but feel if you want to advance, you should buy the best you can afford. I think any beginner that invest in inferior gear you will not be happy with what you get later down the road. I think if you look at it like driving a car. I learned on a stick and then it was very easy to drive an automatic. So why learn on an automatic then try to relearn on a stick. I think if you want an easy camera then this one is not for you. But if you want to advance this is a great tool to learn on. Yes a pro can take great pics on a disposable camera. But if all you ever use is a disposable you may never learn to get any better.

I know I am only a beginner and you may dismiss my thoughts as just one guys feelings. But I know that I got one great camera and one great learning tool.

Thanks,
Canoe

Hi Canoe,

I accept your views. Nothing comes easy. It is not the Camera or the controls, or the $ you pay for the CAM., it is nothing else but just our minds which do all the tricks. Buy the best you can afford and learn the controls and their mastery. That way you dont have to upgrade as and when you grow. Cams are pretty expensive gear. I purcahsed a Pentax Z1P film Camera, about 10 years back. My friends told me I am making a mistake, and that I should start with some thing more simple. But this Cam gave me a challenge, it said learn my controls, in a few months I was very comfortable with this and also I was very easily able to click away with the CAMS my firends had. If you climb the Everest, the sand hills along the way would be pretty easy to climb. Again when it comes to driving, I learnt to drive a truck first, which made all the other cars easier to drive. Buying a K10D is a great challenge. But for people with patience and willingness to learn, it is just another adventure. By the way my thoughts are now either K20D or K200D, wich you all can help me make a decision. My heart says K20D, but my mind says K200D.
IT IS ALL IN THE MIND. THE FIRST DOCTOR WHO PERFORMED AND OPEN SURGERY DID NOT EVEN GO TO SCHOOL.

[KRIS]

I might have been to harsh, or just thinking badly. When I meant beginner i was trying to lump all people into the same category. I am thinking of people that I know that want a camera that takes good photos and do not want to think about anything else. However some of these same people are under the impression that getting a DSLR will allow them to be better photogrophers. And I know this is both true and false. It allows them more choice, and at time choice can lead to problems, and cause people to give up on it. That is what I was trying to say. Sorry for the bad syntax on my part.

DEAR KRO77,

Beginner is some one who has just started doing some thing new which he has not done before. It is very common for any one taking in to photography normally starts with a point and shoot. Then they see the pics they take, make albums out of the ones they feel good, discard the balance. For many taking pics is just another pass time. They see the scene and snap away. But if you do not know ( I am talking about the Film camera days), in India, for every 10 film rolls sold, only 3 came back for developing. Imagine 7 were just discarded. Here in this forum, if some one joined us, he has joined us for the sake of improving the images he creates. So when we talk about a beginner here, we talk about some one who has understood that there is a theory behind taking GOOD PHOTOGRAPHS. And he wants to learn HOW, that is why he has joined us. So that is the reason our friend was just a bit upset as he was called a beginner. BUT WE ARE ALL BEGINNERS AS THIS WHOLE UNIVERSE IS DYNAMIC IN NATURE AND CHANGE IS THE ONLY UNCHANGING EVENT. Sorry to be PHILOSOPHICAL. But you both are right in your own way. For every one is their OWN ROAD.
In the meanwhile please be HAPPY CLICKING AWAY.

Best Regards,
KRIS

[kro77]

Thanks for the followup Kris, and I apologize if I p'ed anyone off. Just stating my opinion that the camera does take work to use, but it is great for me. I just pimped my K10d with the Magnifying EyeCup and LL-80 focusing screen which has helped me make better composition using the 2/3 rule.

In terms of the K20 or K200, I would like one as well, but I have not really seen any huge compelling reason to upgrade for myself. I do not do alot of low light photography so the main advantage of k20d CMOS would be kind of wasted on me. I think I will stick it out till the K30d.

However I must compliment Pentax on making all the K10d Accesories compatible with the K20d. Nice way of keeping people hooked on their products.

[KRIS]

kro77,

Thanks friend. I also do not do much low light photography. So I went with your judgement and purchased the K10D today. It really feels heavy and the array of buttons make me feel like a pro. Am just chraging the battery which came along with this, and waiting to see the results once I am through.

Happy snapping.
Kris

[Andrew122]

I got a k10d as my first dslr camera after reading tons of reviews on photo sites and forums. I knew its weak points and I decided that I could live with them.

Now I shoot in raw only and process all the pictures in Photoshop. That way you can get the result you want. However its main limitation for me is that I cannot imagine using it at a wedding for example when you need very quick reaction with focussing.

[GEli]

I got a k10d as my first dslr camera after reading tons of reviews on photo sites and forums. I knew its weak points and I decided that I could live with them.

Now I shoot in raw only and process all the pictures in Photoshop. That way you can get the result you want. However its main limitation for me is that I cannot imagine using it at a wedding for example when you need very quick reaction with focussing.

I know quite a few people who shoot weddings with K10Ds/K20Ds (same AF system). The trick is getting SDM compatible glass. This ups the AF speed considerably and also quiets it, which is nice. You won't be shooting any candlelit weddings with it, sure, but even a Canon/Nikon guy would probably switch to MF in a situation like that.