Product Reviews

When we reviewed the Pentax K100D Super we were impressed with the built-in anti-shake and anti-dust features, not to mention the unbelievably low price. However, not upping the pixel count meant plumping for the bigger, pricier K10D if you wanted more detail. Pentax has rectified this with its new 10-megapixel K200D, but instead of keeping the K100D Super on to compete with the hugely popular Nikon D40, the new model replaces the previous offering.

Like its predecessor, the K200D features an integral CCD-shift system to combat the shakes when light levels take a turn for the worse, only now the image stabilisation provides four-stop compensation.

From our tests with the standard 18-55mm kit lens, we were able to get sharper shots than the Nikon D60 at just 1/8 sec at the tele-end of the zoom - that's a one-stop advantage over the D60's bundled VR kit lens. Also of interest is a dust reduction function with a novel dust-alert option, a slightly larger 2.7in LCD, as well as a new Expanded Dynamic Range function.

At first glance, the K200D looks similar to its predecessor, there's the familiar, somewhat utilitarian, styling and layout of controls. Build quality is unique at this level, with a stainless steel chassis and an outer shell of thick plastic, the K200D feels easily tough enough for semi-pro use. Water and dust-proof seals, used for the seams and around the battery, port and memory card compartments clearly demonstrate this is its intended market.

In use, the K200D feels heavier than its peers weighing in at 620g, a fact compounded by the use of four AA batteries that can easily add another 100g or so. That said, the 18-55mm kit lens without any built-in focus motors or IS system is reasonably light and goes some way to offset the overall weight.

It's one of the better-made and better-performing kit lenses too, though we found it's quite noisy when compared to Nikon and Canon offerings.

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Focusing operation is fairly rapid, though in only moderately low light and without the aid of an AF-assist lamp, we noticed the lens tends to focus in two or more distinct steps.

Like previous offerings, the K200D uses an impressive looking 11-point AF system though, as we've seen before, subject-detection seems weighted towards the centre-AF point. This works well for action photography but it's not quite so well suited for off-centre subjects.

Nevertheless, other nice touches include a Sensitivity (SV) priority exposure mode, and a lens hood with a removable panel for adjusting polarizing filters that's bundled with the 18-55mm kit lens - a £20 extra with other makes. And the K200D can take a vertical grip, adding a second batch of four AA batteries for extended shooting and better balance with bigger, longer lenses.

Like earlier Pentax offerings, the K200D's lens mount can, with various proprietary adaptors, accept every lens the maker has ever made. These include the highly regarded lenses for the medium format Pentax 67 and 645 models, and there's also a range of superb Carl Zeiss manual focus lenses with the Pentax mount. Moreover, any lens fitted is compatible with the K200D's image stabiliser system.

One of the main benefits from the sixmegapixel CCD used in the K100D Super was the low noise. It was at least on a par and arguably superior at handling high ISO noise than the similar chip used in the still current Nikon D40. So is the K200D noisier? In a word yes, but it's no worse than the 10-megapixel D60.

However, the increase in pixel density, and the coloured speckles, from the earlier model means the K200D no longer has an ISO3200 maximum sensitivity. A new Extend Dynamic Range option reduces the ISO range further, raising the base setting from ISO100 to ISO200 and in combination with in-camera exposure adjustment subtly lightens heavily backlit scenes.

The new dust alert feature lets you map any particles found on the image sensor's filter-pack, so you can take additional steps to clean it with, perhaps, a blower or one of the many cleaning products available. While handy, we didn't notice any dust spots in our pictures, but two large particles were detected after running the test.

With fewer thrills than most of its rivals, there are no Live View options for example, the K200D may not have the same kind of appeal as some, but it should be a compelling choice for existing Pentax users and will appeal to semi-pros on a budget.