Pentax K200D

Well, the new one was unavoidable. The K100D replacement have the 10 MP Sony sensor of the K10D, a larger, 2.7 inch screen, like the K20D. Other new features are weather sealing, the RAW button and a grip. The K200D still uses the common AA batteries.

The new K200D.

Pentax K100D Super

Well, the K100D was so good that the fine people at Pentax could not avoid improving it with a few things borrowed from big brother K10D. It now sports dust removal and the contacts required by the new sdm lenses just released. For pictures of the camera and sample photos, please see the DCWatch links below.
Editor's Choice, April 2008: Pentax K200D. DigitalCameraReview likes the K200D and the new 18-55mm lens.
Pentax K200D Review Digital Photography Review – Highly Recommended (if you shoot in RAW). Pentax K200D digital SLR review by Reg Hardware.

The K100D Super is likely to become as popular as the K100D.

Impressions

THE K100D is the first Pentax DSLR with image stabilization or Shake Reduction, as the company calls it.
The new DSLR features the same 6.1 MP as the previous *ist models, as well as the smaller pentamirror viewfinder of *istDL. So those who want the pentaprism of *istD, DS, and DS2 have to wait for the 10 MP model (K10D).
The advantage of in-body SR is available not only to the new autofocus lenses abut also to the many excellent lenses available to longtime Pentax users or on the eBay for new fans.
The grip is extended vertically, making it easier to hold the camera with the right hand.
The AE button is larger (square), and easier to find (more prominent).
The DCWatch reviewer finds AF both faster (and more audible), and perhaps more precise in low light.
The large (2.5 inch) LCD monitor is even better than on the DS2, and thus viewable even from an angle! See images in the DCWatch test.
The flash is raised to minimize the red eye problem.
The hard to catch little lever that opens the drive door has been replaced by a simpler tab, as seen in the photo. The right strap eyelet has been moved to the top to prevent entanglement with the door. The new SR control button is also obvious in the photo.
The K100D compared to a *istDS in DPReview Forums: No more underexposure, better grip, card door, much better display etc.

Swedish magzine Kamera & Bild has tested the K100D and finds it the best choice among the budget DSLRs, or, simply put, a wise choice.
DCWatch has had a good look at the image quality and compared the new model to the *istDS2. The good news is that image quality out of the box is clearly improved so that you can use the two image settings “vivid” and “natural” without hesitation.
To get the maximum image quality you must resort to RAW, even if 6 MP is on the low side, at least compared to the 10 MP competition. Even here the good news is that the K100D performs slightly better, approaching 8 MP resolution with the Pentax RAW software.
Pentax now delivers new software; PHOTO BRowser 3 and PHOTO Laboratory 3, both based on SILKYPIX. They should work under Mac OS, but on the new Intel models only under emulation.
Noise is not a problem under 1600 ASA. At that sensitivety the noise looks slightly less in the K100D. For some reason, the new PPL3 software performs much worse in this aspect so RAW may not be a good choice in low light situations.
The digital preview is not very useful as it cannot be enlarged and the histogram cannot be shown.

The DCWatch tester has tried to evaluate the SR system by taking ten photos with and without SR at increasing exposure times. The graphical Japanese test results should be obvious even to the gaijin.
DCWatch reviewer Fumio Nakamura offers many useful examples taken with a wide variety of lenses, including M42, 645, and makro lenses.

Slovenian e-Fotografija offers a very nice review of the K100D. Some conclusions: Once again, the Pentax K100D shows that Pentax, as a brand, is severely underestimated. However, with the K100D, they really appeal to the photographer that values high quality at an affordable price...

German foto MAGAZIN gives it the verdict SEHR GUT. The reviewers appreciate the compact body, compatibility with older lenses, the larger display, good noise performance and high sensitivity, fast USB and the mirror lock-up. Not so hot is the lack of a combined RAW/JPEG format, slow start (4 seconds), no autofocus light, and that the camera comes without rechargable batteries.

Tech magazine Wired rates the K100D “Best of Test” in its November issue that features The Best Gadgets and Gizmos on the Planet 2007.

Macworld writes Six-megapixel DSLR is ideal for beginning and intermediate shooters in the review Pentax K100D digital SLR

UK venerable Amateur Photographer has made the K100D its 2007 Award Winner in the class The Novice Digital SLR of the Year!

Chris Roberts, in his Digital SLR Guide News has selected the K100D as Best beginner budget DSLR!

Lens Choice & Use

Please see the *istDS page.
DCWatch Longterm test #8 includes fine glass such as the smc PENTAX-A 20mm F2.8, the smc PENTAX-A 50mm F1.4, and the smc PENTAX-A 50mm F2.8 Macro.

Links

DCWatch in depth review (Japanese) Pentax K200D
DCWatch first review (Japanese) Pentax K200D
Pentax (Japanese) K200D special
Features (Japanese) Pentax K200D
DCWatch review (Japanese) Pentax K100D Super
DCWatch K100D Super girl photo (Japanese) Photogenic Weekend August 24
DCWatch K100D Super girl photo (Japanese) Photogenic Weekend August 17
DCWatch K100D Super girl photo (Japanese) Photogenic Weekend August 10
DCWatch K100D Super girl photo (Japanese) Photogenic Weekend August 3
DCWatch first review (Japanese) K100D Super
DCWatch overview (Japanese) K100D Super
Very comprehensive test from PIXINFO.com (Hungarian) Kipróbáltuk: Pentax K100D
Digital Photography Review of the K100D
Akam.no review (Norwegian) Pentax K100D
Digitalkamera.de (German) Shake it, baby. Pentax K100D tanzt zum Test an
Clubic.com review (French) Pentax K100D : reflex stabilisé à petit prix
PopPhoto Camera Test: Pentax K100D
DCWatch (Japanese) Link Collection
DCRP Review: Pentax K100D
Hands-On Preview from imaging-resource Pentax K100D Overview
Slovenian e-Fotografija review (English) Pentax K100D / DIWA awards test / ENG
Review by Digital Camera Review Pentax K100D Digital Camera Review
Review by Mike Johnston Totally, Completely...Okay
DCWatch (Japanese) Review Pentax K100D
ePHOTOzine Pentax K100D review
DCWatch (M42 lenses and a girl) Longterm test final
DCWatch (vintage lenses!) Longterm test #8
DCWatch (lots of lenses) Longterm test #7
DCWatch (picture modes and digital filters) Longterm test #6
DCWatch (hanabi – fireworks) Longterm test #5
DCWatch (serial exposure) Longterm test #4
DCWatch (photography in low light: spotlight SR) Longterm test #3
DCWatch (image quality, comparison to DS2) Longterm test #2
DCWatch (general presentation, comparison to DS2) Longterm test #1
Illustrated DCWatch article (Japanese) 1st Shot
Profusely illustrated DCWatch article (Japanese) Hangzhou safari
DCWatch girl photo (Japanese) Photogenic Weekend July 28
DCWatch girl photo (Japanese) Photogenic Weekend July 21
DCWatch girl photo (Japanese) Photogenic Weekend July 14
DCWatch girl photo (Japanese) Photogenic Weekend July 7
DCWatch sample pics (Japanese) First Look
DCWatch K100D (Japanese) News Flash
Pentax (Japan) official site K100D
Pentax (Japanese) K100D
PENTAX USA Full-featured, user-friendly, affordable K100D PENTAX Germany news PENTAX K100D und K110D - Viel Kamera für wenig Geld
Quesabesde video presentation (Spanish) Pentax K100D

Girls will be girls, boys will be toys.