| Who says a starter digital SLR has to be stripped? Not Pentax. The vast array of features packed into the affordable Pentax K110D is impressive. This including a fast, high-precision 11-point auto focus (9 cross-type sensors) with SAFOX VIII and superimposed AF-point display. Add to this a 6.1 megapixel APS-C size CCD, sensitivity equivalent to ISO 200 to 3200, 2.8 frames per second capture rate for action photography, and a bright, high-precision Penta mirror viewfinder with 0.85X magnification. The sleek, compact body design with a high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis offers convenient SD media Card storage and High Speed USB 2.0 data transfer and operates on AA batteries, 2CR-V3 lithium batteries, or optional AC adapter.This camera comes with PENTAX smc P-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6The PENTAX smc P-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 is recommended for use with digital cameras. Ideal for beginners, it provides a focal length covering a wide to moderate wide-angle range. Like all PENTAX lenses, the smc P-DA 18-35mm F4-5.6 zoom lens is treated with PENTAX's acclaimed smc coating for maximum light transmission, sharp definition, and high contrast while minimizing flare and ghost imaging. |
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 Five...yes...FIVE stars. Proof follows. |
| Review Date: October 31, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Fred B. Morrison, Merritt Island, FL |
I did what I always said I'd do when deciding on a DSLR--buy the cheapest thing out there and never worry about new models trumping the old ones. It made sense for me to consider Pentax, since I have several K-mount as well as older screw mount lenses, the latter of which can be used on this body with a $15 adapter. It may come as a jolt to Nikon owners, but Pentax has FAR more reverse compatibility than Nikon. I can meter a 50 year old screw mount lens on my entry-level body. Try that with a D50.
As for features, I can't attest to the accuracy of the multipoint autofocus or the multizone metering, because I don't trust "multi" anything. For me it's single point AF and spot metering (knowing that my primary camera is an Olympus OM3 may help you understand). As for the RAW vs jpeg war, let somebody who cares argue that one. Everything I shoot is jpeg and it looks just fine to me--I never used the zone system, either. And noise/grain? If you've shot GAF 500 or 3M/Ferrania 640T slide film, you can talk to me about this issue. This camera does spectacularly through ISO 800, and even looks impressive at 1600. I've shot several images at 3200 and they look like TMAX 3200 to me. Pentax wisely kept the lid on noise reduction, so things may look noisy or grainy, but they do not lack for detail.
The fifth star? For the bargain price? No, that would be condescending. I discovered, after the fact, that the camera provides some image-tweaking features, such as conversion to monochrome; or to sepia (it does look just a touch too yellow for me--but still quite acceptable). But the fifth star goes to the "soft" setting, which produces a gorgeous Gaussian blur, which could not look better if I'd custom-designed it myself. I know--it's jpeg, and I lose a little info when I use these things--that's my business.
So there you are--400 bucks for a digital SLR body. I skipped the "kit" lens, because at its longest focal length, 55mm, it's only f/5.6--I rarely stop DOWN that far. Besides, I already have a pinhole camera. The body feels tightly constructed, controls are as logical as any digital is likely to be, and it won't break the bank. And if you're worried about "only" 6 Megapixels--please--with such low noise levels it provides anything you'd need short of producing murals.
12-31-06: Some added thoughts. My guess is many of you have been reading about the Leica M8 digital and how sensitive it is to infrared. Evidently this creates issues with color shots, but it opens up a whole other world of creative shooting. I tried my Hoya R72 filter--which transmits NO visible light, only IR--on my K110,
and while the optical viewfinder was like a coal mine, once I made a shot and reviewed it on the LCD, sure enough, I had a pretty decent infrared image...BUT...with a pronounced red cast to it. So I went into the digital filter mode on the camera, converted it to monochrome (B&W) and had my digital IR. Shooting infrared film was always a dicey proposition, so don't expect shooting it digitally to be any different. I found many images benefitted from exposure compensation ranging from +1 to +2. I should also add that since exposure times are rather long, maybe this is where the stabilizer on the K100 would have been worth the extra $$$. To a degree you can bump up the ISO; I know this brings on the noise, but if you ever shot Kodak's HIE infrared, you know that coarse grain is one of its characteristics.
Bottom line--my experience with my bargain-basement D-SLR has been one of complete satisfaction. The more I shoot the more I'm coming to believe that anything over 6MP on this size chip is just the horsepower race all over again--useful for bragging rights only. I hope Pentax can continue to make a go of it, because a market dominated by only one or two players is not healthy in the long run. Maybe Hoya's "merger" will keep them going a bit longer. |
Great value for the money - feels great in my hands!
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| Review Date: October 27, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Andrew Behm, Elyria, OH |
I put off buying a Digital SLR for 3 years - but couldn't resist this one now that the price is under $[...]. I handled a Pentax *ist DS at a Costco and was impressed with its handling - this one feels even better. I found the Canon Digital Rebel and even the Nikon D50 to be a little awkward - just a little large for me - and I'm over 6'2" with pretty large hands. I had good experience with an old Pentax 35 mm camera, so feel pretty confident about it's operational ease and quality. But only time will tell that. The 2.5" LCD panel is wonderful - much easier than the old 1.6" I've used in my Nikon Coolpix 775 and 5400. And of course, the operational speed is much nicer than those older cameras - but pretty typical of the other DSLRs out there.
The few flash pictures I've taken look bright and very sharp - look forward to taking many more outside tomorrow - or whenever the weather clears a little here in Cleveland... |
Extraordinary SLR Camera at Great Price!
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| Review Date: November 9, 2007 |
| Reviewer: David Smith, Richmond, VA. USA |
One of the finest Digital SLR Cameras you can buy. The camera strikes a nice balance between features and usability that both the amateur and professional photographer can appreciate.
The big difference between this camera (K110D) and the K100D is that his camera doesn't have shake-reduction.
The lens kit is very nice. Also, Pentax made this camera backward-compatible with it's old lenses, so you can take advantage of many of the high-quality lenses available on eBay at a fraction of the cost. This camera is especially good for the beginning/amateur photographer, and Pentax quality at this price is well worth it. In fact, this is the lowest-price digital SLR out there.
Note: One thing you might want to know is that with virtually every digital SLR camera, you cannot use the LCD screen as a viewfinder like you can with the point-and-shoot cameras. Many people spend weeks trying to figure-out how to use their LCD screen as a viewfinder and its simply not done on SLR cameras because the internal mirror (that makes it a single lens reflex camera) is covering the image sensor (CCD chip) so the LCD can only show the picture once it has been taken. Also, because of this, you cannot shoot movies/mpegs like you can on point-and-shoot. The real advantages of a digital SLR is both the ability to see through the actual lens and the ability to use different lenses (neither of which you can do on a point-and-shoot). There are other advantages too (like shooting while zooming to create motion effects, etc.). |
"Entry Level" DSLR?
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| Review Date: March 14, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Steven V. Parker, |
| This camera is packed with features such as on camera photo editing, many options for the flash < to soften the light, or crank it up when needed > The lens that came with it is very good for a "kit" lens. And one of the BEST features about it is that pretty much ANY Pentax lens will work with it, I have several older lenses that work like a charm. A Kiron 80-200 MM Zoom, a Takumar 28-80 MM Zoom with macro, and even some fully manual lenses that work just fine. Try that with some of the other brands !! All in all i am VERY pleased with my purchase, and would recommend this camera to anyone looking to get a DSLR and NOT break the bank. |
Pentax K110D 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
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| Review Date: March 21, 2007 |
| Reviewer: John T. McLaughlin, Aiken, SC, USA |
| Great camera although a little complicated. This is an entry level SLR, but it has so many features it easily compets, on that basis, with more expensive cameras. So far, I am delighted with it. The Magic Lantern Guide book to this camera is a must. I havd three expensive Pentax camers, left over from film days, that work great with this model. |
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