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Pentax K200D Digital SLR Camera Kit

Pentax K200D

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Key Features of the Pentax K200D :
  • Enthusiast Digital SLR Camera with 10.2 Megapixel Resolution.
  • Pentax Original Shake Reduction Mechanism.
  • Versatile Auto Picture And Scene modes.
  • Large, 2.7-inch wide-view LCD monitor. 
  • Dust-proof, water-resistant construction.
  • High-precision 11-point Wide-frame AF.
  • Custom Image Function.
  • Comprehensive Dust Removal system with prevention, removal and alerting devices.
  • Auto Sensitivity Control up to ISO 1600.
  • Bright, clear viewfinder.

With an easy-to-use interface housed in a compact body, the new Pentax K200D contains all the advanced imaging technology of the award-winning K10D, but is designed for new digital SLR users who want a camera that will allow them grow as they learn about photography. With 10.2 megapixels and a 2.7-inch wide-view LCD, the K200D features many of the award-winning advancements of the Pentax Series including:

  • Auto Picture and Scene modes that offer shooting ease, while advanced modes, such as the Sv mode, allow photographers to grow with the camera.
  • A weather and dust-resistant body, unique in this class of cameras, that allows photographers to keep shooting even in harsh conditions.
  • Custom Image functions that allow users to select between six preset options and further adjust image processing, including saturation, hue, contrast and sharpness. The K200D also offers an Expanded Dynamic Range function that allows users to gain more contrast and detail in bright settings.
  • An improved Dust Reduction system that features the new Dust Alert function to pinpoint the exact location of dust particles for the photographer to remove.
  • A Pentax-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system for sharp, blur-free images even under difficult shooting conditions, such as macro and telephoto photography or low light settings without a flash.

Pentax K200D Digital SLR Highlights

High-quality image sensor The K200D combines a large, high-performance 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD image sensor with the sophisticated PRIME (Pentax Real Image Engine) as its imaging engine. With its approximately 10.2 effective megapixels, the K200D produces beautiful, fine-detailed images with subtle gradations and texture.

Pentax Original Shake Reduction Mechanism The K200D is equipped with the Pentax-developed Shake Reduction mechanism, which reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under demanding shooting conditions, such as shooting with a telephoto lens, shooting in low light conditions or at night without supplementary flash illumination, or using extended exposures for sunset scenes. This innovative mechanism offers outstanding compensation equivalent to approximately 2.5 to 4 shutter-speed steps. In addition, the lighter image sensor unit and refined data-control algorithm offer improved image stabilization over previous models. Pentax Shake Reduction is compatible with existing Pentax interchangeable lenses.*
*Lenses compatible with this mechanism are: Pentax K-, KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount lenses, screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be applicable with certain lenses.

Versatile Auto Picture And Scene modes The Pentax-developed Auto Picture mode automatically sets the most appropriate shooting mode (such as Portrait, Landscape and Macro) for a given subject or situation. Since the K200D not only sets an aperture and a shutter speed, but also adjusts white-balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness levels, the photographer can concentrate on image composition and shutter opportunity. The K200D also offers eight Scene modes for easy shooting. This include fun options such as sunset, food, pet, and museum modes.

Large, 2.7-inch wide-view LCD monitor The K200D features a large 2.7 inch color LCD monitor. The LCD’s wide-view design allows the photographer to check the monitor image from approximately 160 degrees both vertically and horizontally making image sharing immediately after capture easy. It even offers digital zooming of playback images up to 20 times for easy confirmation of focus.

Dust-proof, water-resistant construction The K200D features an extremely reliable water-resistant, dust-proof construction, with special seals applied to 60 different parts of the camera body, including the shutter release button and switches/levers/dials. This dependable body makes it possible to use the K200D in the rain or dusty locations without worries.

High-precision 11-point Wide-frame AF The K200D’s advanced SAFOX VIII autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors) to automatically focus on the subject with utmost precision, even when it is positioned off center. When the subject is captured in focus, the in-focus sensor point is automatically superimposed in red in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation.

Custom Image Function The K200D is equipped with a new Custom Image function that lets the user select one of the six modes and adjust an image’s processing to their preference by automatically adjusting tone, saturation, contrast, and sharpness. These modes include Natural, Bright, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, and B&W image modes. The photographer can make further fine-tuned adjustments to each setting. The effect on each of the primary colors is shown in a radar-type display on the LCD panel. The user can easily see the effect of their adjustments by using the digital preview option.

Comprehensive Dust Removal system with prevention, removal and alerting devices The K200D features the user-friendly Dust Removal system to prevent dust from sticking to the surface of the CMOS image sensor (or low-pass filter). The Pentax-original Super Protect (SP) coating, applied to the image sensor surface through vapor deposition of a fluorine compound, effectively prevents dust from sticking to the surface. In the next step, dust that may remain on the surface will be shaken off when the system shifts the image sensor at high speed. Finally, the dust that is shaken off the image sensor falls onto an adhesive strip positioned at the bottom of the unit, eliminating any possibility of the dust returning to the image sensor surface. This upgraded Dust Reduction system also offers a new Dust Alert function, which shows the user exactly where dust may be sticking to the sensor surface.

Auto Sensitivity Control up to ISO 1600 The K200D’s auto sensitivity control function automatically sets the optimum sensitivity up to ISO 1600, based on such data as the subject’s brightness level and lens focal length. Since this function allows the user to use faster shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor sports events and night scenes), this feature helps photographers effectively reduce camera shake and prevent blurred images. For specialized applications, sensitivity may be set manually from ISO 100 to ISO 1600.

Bright, clear viewfinder Combining a lightweight penta-mirror prism with Pentax-original finder optics and the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, the K200D’s viewfinder delivers a large, bright image with an approximately 96-percent field of view and an approximately 0.85-times magnification.

Other Features
  • High-rigidity stainless-steel chassis
  • Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
  • 22 custom functions to personalize camera operations
  • Approximately 1,100 images can be taken when using AA size lithium batteries due to its energy saving design (4 Energizer Lithium batteries included with each camera)
  • Compatibility with conventional SD and large-capacity SDHC memory cards
  • Simultaneous recording of RAW- and JPEG-format images
  • RAW button for single-action image-file switching
  • Eight digital filters for creative and artistic expressions
  • In-body development of recorded RAW-format images
  • Compatibility with SDM equipped lenses for quiet, extra-smooth autofocus operation
  • Pentax PHOTO Laboratory 3, RAW data processing software and Pentax PHOTO Browser 3, browser software, included on the accompanying CD-ROM



Pentax K200D Photo Samples

Click here to view more samples.
These are actual photos taken with Pentax K200D.
Photos courtesy of Flickr and belong to respective users. To view a larger image click on thumbnail.

Compare Pentax K200D with similar cameras
Name: Canon Digital Rebel XTi Nikon D40X Pentax K200D Canon Rebel XS
Megapixels: 10.1 10.0 10.2 10.1
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD CCD CMOS
LCD Screen: 2.5 " 2.5 " 2.7 " 2.5 "
ISO: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, 100 - 1600 (plus 3200 with boost) Auto, 100 -1600 in 1EV, 1/2EV or 1/3EV stops Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
White balance Settings: 6 positions & manual preset 6 positions, plus manual preset Eight positions plus manual 6 positions & manual preset
Max shutter: 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/4000 sec
Min shutter: 30 sec + Bulb 30 sec + Bulb 30 sec + Bulb 30 sec + Bulb
Focal length multiplier: 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.6
Viewfinder: TTL TTL Optical (Pentamirror) Optical
Image stabilizer: No No Yes No
Weight (with batteries): 556 g (19.6 oz) 522 g (18.4 oz) 690g 502 g (17.7 oz)
Lowest Price: $529.95 $609.95 $551.00 $469.95
Details: View details View details - View details



Pentax K200D User Reviews

Avg. Rating
5.0
Out of 5
 This item is reviewed by 73 people so far.
Click here for complete reviews.

5
Out of 5
Best starter DSLR
- Reviewd on: 2009-01-06 By: RJF
I'm an amateur photographer and I've always used point and shoots until I decided to drop some money into a nice DSLR. I did a lot of research and thought I found a Nikon that I wanted until I visited a new camera store in my area. The clerk there introduced me to he K200D. I didn't believe in this camera I never heard of but I went home and compared it to the rest. The K200D has everything I wanted and then some. The main sell point for me was the fact that in camera lab testing, the K200D came out sharper than a Nikon, Canon, or Olympus cameras is was up against. I decided that this is the camera I wanted.

After the purchase, I've loved everything about it. I am very satisfied. The ONLY problem I have with it is the shutter is loud. If your trying to shoot a wedding or an event with a person speaking, the shutter is so obnoxiously loud that you might as well yell *CLICK* every time you compose a shot. (watch reviews on you tube and you can hear it)

Overall, I am very impressed with it's picture quality, build quality, and it's features. The K200D is the perfect camera for a starter and semi-pro photographer. Also, a small bonus (another win for me) is you can say you don't have the same Nikon or Canon camera that almost EVERYONE else has.

5
Out of 5
Perfect for new and experienced alike
- Reviewd on: 2008-12-28 By: lurchlarson
This camera is an amazing camera. Very customizable. The ability to switch between RAW and JPEG with a single button push is a time saver. I have only one VERY minor gripe--that the buffer for continues shooting is limited to 4 frames when shooting at the 2.8 fps, regardless if you are shooting RAW or JPEG.

The Image Quality is excellent, especially when shooting RAW.

The camera is great for people just getting into SLR photography. There are plenty of Auto picture modes to help you along until you are more comfortable taking advantage of the more in-depth control functions.

Two important factors influencing my decision to purchase this camera over other brands is first: weather and dust sealing. I live in the pacific northwest and spend a great deal of time outdoors so this is a must. You simply cannot get weather sealing in other brands of DSLRs until you spend around $1000+. Second, This camera is compatible with all of my old manual focus lenses. That means I don't need to spend MORE money replacing all of my old Pentax lenses, many of which have outstanding image quality. Just because a lens was made 20+ years ago doesn't mean it isn't any good. This is much more convenient and economical than other brands that change their lens mounts every five years or so. Because this camera has in-body shake reduction (something that Canon and Nikon DO NOT have) ALL of my old Pentax lenses can take advantage of this feature. Couple all of this with wireless flash sync and the host of many other things this camera can do and it's an unbeatable bargain.

I'm glad I purchased this camera. I HIGHLY recommend it over any other brands.
4
Out of 5
Very nice starter camera
- Reviewd on: 2008-11-30 By: Johnny Burden
I've been using this camera for several months now for a color photography course at my school. I very much enjoy using it as it feels sturdy and fits perfectly in my hands. The only real limitation that I've had with the camera is the poor shooting speed. It wouldn't stop me from buying it over the competition, but it does encourage me to upgrade to a Nikon D90/Canon 40D whenever I get the chance to.

I shoot mostly RAW files because of how well you can edit them when compared with the default jpegs. You can get some really nice shots/detail with them. I do use the RAW+ featuer so that I can quickly and easily view my photos on my computer and edit out the unuseable pictures.

I have some long-lasting Kodak rechargeable batteries and they last more than long enough for me to use it for a day. I have the 18-250mm lens kit and while its pretty nice, I don't use it much beyond 125 or so. I do have the battery grip as well which is very useful to have.

I've gotten some really nice shots with the camera over the semester and it's very nice for the price. I'd defiantly recommend it to anyone whose looking for a beginner SLR and does not mind the low burst rate.
5
Out of 5
Absolutely Fabulous Camera
- Reviewd on: 2008-11-24 By: Douglas Peterson
A funny thing happened on the golf course, I left my Kodak camera in a cup holder, my son-in-law hit the gas while I was out shagging a ball. Camera fell and the lens popped off and fell into the grass somewhere in the 15th fairway!

Oh well, time for a new camera!

Know that a trip was coming up (Holy Land Tour) I decided to ask my wife for a really nice camera. At first I was looking very hard at the Nikon D-60 and also an Olympus. But then I happened upon the customer feedback for the Pentax K-200. This with the fact I had a Pentax 70-200MM zoom lens orphaned to me years ago, sold me on this camera.

I took the plunge and could not be happier!

This camera rocks! I'm still learning it, but even taking auto-auto pictures gives you superb pictures!

Another thing that sold me is the weather proofing features that the others did NOT have. Trekking around the dead sea and other dusty areas and having my camera ruined just isn't going to cut it!

While this camera is a tad heavier than the Nikon, it's not unbearable by any means.

Lastly, Pentax has been making cameras for decades and decades. You've got a solid brand and reputation backing your purchase up.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and Blessed Merry Christmas to all!



5
Out of 5
Pentax K200D Digital Camera
- Reviewd on: 2008-11-24 By: Dylan Gifford
This camera has a great feel. It has tons of features and most importantly, it's super easy to take great pictures. This camera is a great purchase in comparison to the big camera names. You'll get way more bang for your buck by purchasing this Pentax rather than some other camera. In short, there is no way anyone that pays the $500-$600 for this camera will be disappointed!!