Pentax K10D - Expert Reviews

Review summary: A relatively late entrant into the 10-megapixel DSLR category, the new Pentax K10D offers a number of advantages over its competitors, starting with its more robust, body, which has dust and weatherproof sealing. The plastic case is solidly mounted on ...

Verdict: Our tests were done with two lenses: the smc Pentax DA 1:4 16-45mm ED-AL and the Sigma DC 17-70mm 1:2.8-4.5. With both lenses, the K10D delivered images with bright colours and plenty of detail plus no evidence of over-sharpening. Both types of Raw ...

Pros: Excellent image quality.Excellent range of shooting modes.Very well built.Built-in stabilization and CCD dust reduction system.RAW format.RAW button.Dual mode Depth of Field Preview/Digital Preview.Excellent ergonomic design.Excellent autonomy.

Cons: Spot Metering cannot be linked to AF point.Documentation occasionally obscure on some critical points.

Award: TIPA Award!

Review summary: With a rugged build quality featuring no less than 72 weather and dust seals, the Pentax K10D offers a solid specification: 10MP sensor, image stabilization; 11-point autofocus system; sensitivity range from 100 to 1600 ISO; high definition RAW mode ...

Review summary: The Pentax K10D is amazingly fitted with nearly every feature possible for a DSLR camera: stabilization, dust-reduction, weatherproofing, advanced customization, digital white-balance and depth-of-field preview, unlimited continuous drive. It is only ...

Pros: Excellent metering accuracy, Good focus speed and accuracy, Innovative exposure modes and choice of program line, Digital white balance and depth of field preview

Cons: Above average noise at ISO 1600, Slightly less dynamic range than peers, Poor automatic white-balance under artificial light, Sealed body means doors are harder to open

Award: Highly Recommended!

Review summary: Announced on September 14th 2006, just in time for Photokina 2006 the new K10D is Pentax's first foray into the serious-amateur digital SLR market. It's bigger, tougher and more feature rich than any Pentax digital SLR before it and it certainly ...

Pros: Smooth clean images with good color and tone, not as crisp as we would like, Robust body with dust and weather seals, high build quality, Accurate and fast auto-focus, Unique exposure modes ; sensitivity, shutter/aperture priority, hyper program, ...

Cons: In-camera image processor unable to deliver crisp sharp edges, better to shoot RAW, About a third of a stop less highlight dynamic range than the competition, Slightly inconsistent continuous shooting rate (although always around 3.1 fps), Would have ...

Verdict: My first impressions of the K10D were very positive, a well designed and robust body with a clearly extensive range of manual functions and a fairly logical control layout.