Verdict:
With features comparable to Nikon's D80, the K10D is a bargain.
On paper, the K10D may seem like just anaother entry-level DSLR, but various features set it apart from other sub-£500 models. It's built like a tank, dust- and weather-proof. The back bristles with buttons and dials, including dedicated controls for exposure metering and bracketing, plus dual command dials for simultaneous access to
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shutter speed and aperture. There's a mini LCD for settings, allowing you to switch off the 2.5in screen and save battery life. Optical image stabilisation is built into the sensor, a feature missing from both the Canon 400D and the Nikon D40x. Advanced options include a customisable Auto ISO mode, white balance bracketing and the ability to modify the behaviour of the dials. Performance is second only to the EOS 40D, with fast, reliable auto-focus and 3fps continuous shooting until the card is full.
Photos were a little noisy beyond ISO 800, and while detail wasn't sacrificed to noise reduction, sharpness was a little below par. Shooting in RAW mode and using third party software such as Adobe Lightroom resolved this, so the K10D's pictures aren't actually lacking in detail, just not well processed. Colour reproduction was first-rate, with superb auto exposure. An impressive camera that's exceptionally good value.
