Pentax K200D 18-55mm Lens Kit

*****
Excellent Alternative to the Usual Canon and Nikon Suspects
30th May 2008


This is Pentax's second "entry level" digital SLR camera, following their very successful K100d, and it is entering a very crowded marketplace. In fact, many people who wish to graduate from "point and shoot" cameras will never even get as far as the K200d, such is the dominance of other models by Canon, Nikon and Sony. However, by ignoring this excellent camera, they are missing out on a trick.

So what is it that the Pentax does that, for example, the Sony A350, Nikon D60 and Canon 450i don't do? Well, for a start, it might be worth explaining that it in many ways it does exactly the same as those three big name models. It takes excellent pictures, offering rich, strong colours and it copes pretty well with even quite low-light situations. It offers a range of preset modes, which fiddle with a whole range of settings to help out novices users, and it offers the standard range of Av, Tv, P and M modes for more flexibility. It comes with a standard kit lens of 18-55mm, which allows for a pretty broad wide-angle shot (though by no means a true fish-eye) through to about 4x apparent magnification of the subject. The 50-200mm lens is a worthwhile addition, and performs very well in a range of situations. The camera is relatively small (compared to semi-pro and professional DSLRs), but boasts a large, bright screen and yet isn't too cluttered with buttons.

So what makes it special? Why did I spend my money on this, and not a Sony (for its live view), an Olympus (for its small size) or a Nikon (for the ability to borrow my mate's amazing collection of lenses)? Well, there were a number of reasons:
- The feel: I have quite large hands (I'm 6'5") and found the Olympus and Canon to be very uncomfortable when I tried it in a shop. It fits well in my hand, and, while heavier than the competition, I only began to tire after a whole day of using it (about 500 shots).
- The viewfinder: the viewfinder is bright and clear, and I find it very comfortable to use. The viewfinder on the Sony, in contrast, was far too small for me because of the extra live-view sensor they have crammed in next to the pentaprism.
- The weatherproofing: unlike any of its competitors the camera is splash- and dust-proof, which, allied to the anti-dust system in the body, makes it a very attractive package.
- The system: Pentax are an old firm with an outstanding reputation in the world of optics and imaging, and their digital SLRs are all designed so that virtually any lens (from about the 1950s onwards) can be used with their cameras. This is in stark contrast to Nikon's decision to take the auto-focus motor out of the D60, which severely limits the range of lenses available which can auto-focus. One of Pentax's specialities is its very compact prime lenses, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the 70mm 2.4 limited, which looks simply stunning for portrait photography.
- The power: the Pentax uses AA batteries, which many Nikon and Canon users scoff at, believing it impossible that ordinary batteries will last more than a dozen or so shots. In one day's shooting of about 500 frames, including a fair few with flash, the lithium batteries which are supplied in the box did not even register on the power display. With high-quality 2500 or 2700 mAh rechargables you can expect about 6-700 shots, which is as good as any proprietary battery in a Sony, Canon or Nikon. Moreover, I know that, should my batteries run out, I can pop into any shop and get enough power to keep going for the rest of the day: a luxury which is denied to other brands.
- Being different! You see Canons and Nikons everywhere you look (there are over 30 million photos taken using a 450i on Flickr), but Pentax is something else, and I really value that.

This really is an excellent camera, and I would urge you strongly to consider it if you're looking at a digital SLR. That isn't to say it doesn't have its drawbacks, but none is a deal-breaker for me. True, it isn't as simple to use as the Nikon D60, and it doesn't have the high resolution of the Canon or its enormous screen. It is aimed at people who want to take photographs properly, and it takes some learning to get the best out of it. However, with patience you will have a tool that is flexible, powerful and very satisfying to use.

I am, I suppose, proud to say: I'm a Pentaxian!