Pentax K10D - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Specs aside, the true litmus test for any DSLR is administered in our test lab. We harnessed our lab coats and ran the K10D though a battery of scientific tests, evaluating its performance in terms of noise, resolution, color accuracy, dynamic range, ...

Verdict: Pentax packaged the K10D with an inventive feature that includes a Sensitivity Priority mode, which is loosely akin to a Program mode, and allows users to set an ISO while the camera selects a correlating aperture and shutter speed for an average ...

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: Pentax's top digital SLR gets the TR treatment at last

Verdict: Despite being over a year old, the Pentax K10D still compares well with other current mid-range enthusiast's DSLRs. It is one of the few digital SLRs on the market with a weatherproof body, and combines this with outstanding build quality and design, ...

Review summary: The 10-megapixel K10D is the first viable prosumer body released by Pentax, marking a departure from the simplified 6-megapixel mold that characterized the manufacturer's previous efforts. At the camera's core are an APS-C-sized CCD chip and PRIME ...

Pros: - Design and feature set built logically around photographers' needs - Dedicated RAW button - Mechanical image stabilization (Shake Reduction) - Dust Reduction - Sensitivity Priority, Aperture and Shutter Priority mode - Program Line is clever ...

Cons: - Autofocus system is loud, noisy, and at times, just irritating - Autofocus isn't as accurate as we had hoped - AF assist illuminator built into the pop-up flash (not on camera body) - LCD is not as sharp as competing models; displayed colors are ...

Verdict: Priced at $799 and available online for $599 during the holiday push, the K10D supplies a prosumer feature set at an entry-level price point. The feature-laden K10D introduces Sensitivity Priority, adds a dedicated RAW button near the lens mount, ...

Review summary: The 10-megapixel K10D features a robust build and very comfortable handgrip. It's also the only non-professional D-SLR that's water-resistant, achieved with a full 72 seals.

Pros: Attractive design, Scroll ball is comfortable and easy to use, Works with Windows and Mac systems, Integration with Tiger is flawless

Cons: Side buttons are hard to squeeze, Comfort could be improved

Review summary: Over the past few years Pentax has wheeled out a succession of largely identical 6MP SLRs which were neat but nothing special. Can the K10D break the mould?

Pros: Good image quality. Tiny price tag. Small size and discrete looks

Cons: Heavy and bulky compared to rivals. Controls not designed for beginners