Image quality: dpreview.com says pentax k10d image quality is not as good as canon xti, nikon d80 even sony alpha 100 - any comments?
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The camera has the exact same image sensor as the D80 and A100, so the 'native' image quality is the same, as you will find if you shoot RAW and process in the same converter (e.g. Adobe Camera Raw). Thus, any differences are simply in the built-in JPEG processor and its settings. What Phil Askey at DPReview.com found is that the K10D's image processor chooses to not apply that much sharpening to the image in its default 'Natural' setting. Even turning the sharpening parameter to its maximum in this mode does not produce a very sharpened image. However, the K10D also has another mode, 'Bright'. This mode boosts the saturation and sharpening to provide pleasing consumer-quality JPEGs 'out of the box'. On Pentax' cheaper cameras, 'Bright' is the default. I think Pentax expects that more serious photographers prefer a less enhanced image that's more suitable for post-processing, so that's the default mode. If you'd rather have a consumer-type bright, sharpened image, 'Bright' mode is available. As far as I can tell, 'Bright' images are comparable to out-of-the-camera JPEGs from Sony Alpha and Nikon. As to image noise, the K10D JPEG processor controls noise better than the A100 but not as much as the D80. However, it also retains more detail. From what I've seen, the K10D exceeds the A100 in JPEG quality; whether you prefer the D80 or K10D depends on your noise-handling preference. The XTi has a sensor that's a little better at ISO 1600 than the Sony sensor used by the others. However, I personally prefer the color and overall image look of the other cameras, and the build quality of all three Sony-sensor cameras is better than the XTi.
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I know I'm joining this discussion late, however the Digital Camera Resource Page (DCRP) review dated March 2007 and updated in September, addresses this issue, specifically mentioning the "Bright" mode, and recommending that the user adjust the sharpness (to +2) and contrast (to +1). Once you've tweaked the settings, the reviewer (Jeff Keller) notes that the image quality is on a par with the best digital slrs in this general category. Happy shooting.
1700413
I bought and returned lens years ago and moved on to a Nkion system. I had problems with the lens back-focusing on the K10 which had no way of adjusting the focus in camera, so be aware of this issue depending on which body you have. As I recall, the lens was new in Pentax box with warranty. I would check the return policy just in case.
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What about the Pentax K20D? You'd be well served to take a look at that one also.
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More bang for your buck will be the XTi, since it is cheaper and you honestly won't get much better photos from the 40D. However, if you can swing the money, I wholeheartedly recommend the 40D. I recently upgraded from the XT to the 40D. The additional controls make it so much easier to change settings, the larger size feels more balanced, etc etc. However, the XTi is a great camera, and don't feel bad about buying that either! It's a nice upgrade from my XT, which I loved for 2 years. You honestly can't go wrong with either one. Go to a store and handle each and see if one feels better in your hands than the other. More bang for your buck will be the XTi, since it is cheaper and you honestly won't get much better photos from the 40D. However, if you can swing the money, I wholeheartedly recommend the 40D. I recently upgraded from the XT to the 40D. The additional controls make it so much easier to change settings, the larger size feels more balanced, etc etc. However, the XTi is a great camera, and don't feel bad about buying that either! It's a nice upgrade from my XT, which I loved for 2 years. You honestly can't go wrong with either one. Go to a store and handle each and see if one feels better in... » Read More More bang for your buck will be the XTi, since it is cheaper and you honestly won't get much better photos from the 40D. However, if you can swing the money, I wholeheartedly recommend the 40D. I recently upgraded from the XT to the 40D. The additional controls make it so much easier to change settings, the larger size feels more balanced, etc etc. However, the XTi is a great camera, and don't feel bad about buying that either! It's a nice upgrade from my XT, which I loved for 2 years. You honestly can't go wrong with either one. Go to a store and handle each and see if one feels better in your hands than the other. « Show Less
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I was also looking at Pentax 10D pre-production reviews. Looks like pentax has similar features including dust cleaning like canon and Image Stabilization like sony. I was planing to buy Canon since it is $200 cheaper but now probably will wait till i get to read Pentax reviews .. any idea about the avaliability of lenses for Pentax??
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I have a 720 mju and I love it. I was also looking at the Pentax WP10... but I went with the 720mju for several reasons-There's a higher ISO sensativity.-Digital image stabilization(this feature is niiiice... no accidental blurry photos!)-Overall build quality. It just feels rock-solid which is good for me because I do lots of hiking/climbing and stuff. I know I'll manage to drop this thing on the ground eventually... the shock-proof feature is nice.I personally don't have a problem with the button sizing. It seems a bit small, but they're spaced far enough apart so you don't hit things accidently.Cheers. I have a 720 mju and I love it. I was also looking at the Pentax WP10... but I went with the 720mju for several reasons-There's a higher ISO sensativity.-Digital image stabilization(this feature is niiiice... no accidental blurry photos!)-Overall build quality. It just feels rock-solid which is good for me because I do lots of hiking/climbing and stuff. I know I'll manage to drop this thing on the ground eventually... the shock-proof feature is nice.I personally don't have a problem with the button sizing. It seems a bit small, but they're spaced far enough... » Read More I have a 720 mju and I love it. I was also looking at the Pentax WP10... but I went with the 720mju for several reasons-There's a higher ISO sensativity.-Digital image stabilization(this feature is niiiice... no accidental blurry photos!)-Overall build quality. It just feels rock-solid which is good for me because I do lots of hiking/climbing and stuff. I know I'll manage to drop this thing on the ground eventually... the shock-proof feature is nice.I personally don't have a problem with the button sizing. It seems a bit small, but they're spaced far enough apart so you don't hit things accidently.Cheers. « Show Less
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The indoor pictures are actually of VERY POOR quality. Canon SD1000 takes decent outdoor pictures, but it's dreadful indoor, especially when it's bright enough and auto flash is off.I am disappointed... the indoor picture quality is WORSE than much older models, when we had 2MP at maximum resolution.For weddings, you shouldn't go for anything lower than a digital SLR.
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I am very happy with the Pentax K50, I bought it because it was in my budget. It works very well and has excellent performance. The K3 is better, faster and more resolution, but with the K50 have enough for what I want. If you have the money for the K3, buy, worth it.
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J. McCamey- I am also leaning towards the K7 over the D90 and have found the same things to be true as you have stated. If possible please give us insight as to your purchase after you have had the opportunity to take some pictures.
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my Kodak Z812S...and even my old Kodak DX7630 take better pictures than the Fuji S1800. My first digital was a Fuji with 3.2 mp and it was a honey! Since then, two more Kodaks (as mentioned previously) one Sony (which is purse-sized and the pix are okay...it's just so I always have a camera on me) and the Fuji S1800. I have about 120 out of 200 or so that are great pictures from Hawaii; and maybe 80 - 100 more from various events and locations. My Eastern Europe shots were not what I hoped for, but editing helped a lot. I'm online now to order the Z981 and will probably post my opinion of the results. With all that said...I'd suggest you go with the Kodak.
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ePHOTOzine.com just published their full review of the K-5. Looks as if real-world performance matches the expectations raised by DXO. And the rest of the camera performs at that level. Hoya has succeeded in bringing Pentax along very nicely - this model competes very well indeed in the $1,000 to $2,000 price range. Canon and Nikon will have to work harder now and that competition is good for all of us.
904846
This is a silly thing to worry about. Older Pentax lenses were designed for film, which is an innately higher resolution medium at lower ASA/ISO speeds. A good K or M lens will still be good on this sensor, arguably better in some cases since the softest part of the image circle is cropped away.
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The Pentax K-5 performs excellently in low light. I work with it in bulb-mode almost as well as a film camera. Documents will need more light for a good read, but the K-5 with a tripod and/or flash will do a very good job for the cost.
342941
I came to this camera from a D90. Ive only had a few moments to work with it, but the pictures I have so far blow the D90 away in terms of overall IQ.This camera will also expose flaws in your shooting technique which is a possible explanation for many of the complaints.Now, as far as the "comparison" to the D700 goes, you just simply can not compare the two as they are two entirely different imaging systems.
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I went from a Canon DSLR to the Pentax K-30. So far I am very happy with this camera. In the "Auto" mode it is similar to using a point and shot camera. But the camera has many more advanced features that you can use. Also, Pentax K-30 allows you to use lens from older SLR Pentax camera. I am using 2 lens that were from a film type SLR!
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The DA is a digital lens and the K-R is a digital. Pentax has not changed it's mount in decades, the only thing I can't answer are whether the contact points that connect the lens to the body are fully compatable