Digital Trends

Pentax K200D

April 20th, 2008 | by David Elrich

Features and Design

Gee—another all black D-SLR. I’m shocked to see it. Not really, since almost all digital single lens reflex cameras look alike—forget a bright, shiny pink one like the new Fujifilm FinePix Z100fd point-and-shoot. Utilitarian is the word for D-SLRs and that’s what you get. It measures 5.25 x 3.74 x 2.9 and weighs a solid 22.1 ounces (body only), 33.4 with batteries and kit lens.

The Pentax is different than most D-SLRs since it uses four AAs instead of a proprietary lithium-ion battery. This can be a life-saver when you need some extra juice since you can pick up AAs practically anywhere. As a nice gesture Pentax supplies four lithium AAs so all you really need is a speedy SDHC card (2 gigs would do) and you’re ready to start taking photos. Pentax states the supplied batteries will last for 1,100 shots for “normal” use but if you use the flash it drops to 550. Still, this is a decent number. Traditional alkalines last for only 200 in normal use.

Also different is the fact this camera is weather- and dust-proof, meaning it has loads of gaskets to keep the elements at bay. I’m going to take the company’s word for it because I really didn’t have the heart to take this D-SLR into the shower with me—and the sun’s been shining for awhile now. That said this feature moves the K200D above other sub-$800 USD models.

The K200D has a Pentax K-mount and it accepts K-, KA-, KAF- and KAF2 lenses so those with older glass can use them. Since Pentax has been around as long as the hills, you have a ton to choose from. Like Sony and Olympus D-SLRs, it has a built-in sensor shake reduction system to help eliminate blur. It’s not perfect but it’s a lot more affordable than purchasing stabilized lenses which Canon and Nikon make you do. Sensor-shift models are forcing the Big Two to include IS lenses with new kits (Canon XSi and Nikon D60). As we’ve said, competition is a wonderful thing.

On the front is an a self-timer lamp, a switch to move between manual and auto focus, a button to shoot RAW files and a few subtle logos.

The top of the K200D has something not typically found on entry-level D-SLRs—an LCD display so you can look down and quickly check your settings depending on the choice made via the mode dial. In Auto you’ll see the number of images left of the card, battery life, flash mode, shutter speed, aperture and so on. This is very handy and a big plus for day-to-day shooting. Near the screen is a solid pistol grip that holds the batteries. The shutter button is surrounded by the power on/off control and nearby is the exposure compensation button as well as the Green button that puts the camera into Auto Exposure. You’ll also find the hot shoe and auto pop-up flash.

The main mode dial is your key control and it has the options found on most D-SLRs: Auto Pict (full auto), SCN to access eight additional options, Program AE, aperture- and shutter-priority and manual. It also has two you don’t see including Sv (Sensitivity Priority) that adjusts shutter speed and aperture once you change the ISO--which hits 1600. There’s also B (Bulb) for taking long exposures at night. The dial also offers quick access to a number of common scene modes including portrait, landscape, macro, sports, night portrait and flash off. As an added feature the Auto Pict mode is a bit different than the traditional Auto. Here—like many point-and-shoot digicams—the camera will move into an appropriate scene setting, depending on the subject. They’re Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports and Normal. This is good thinking and targeted to newbies who might be intimidated by a D-SLR and looking to go beyond aim-and-forget digicams. In that vein, a small sample image appears on the LCD as you flip through the Scene modes, making it as simple as possible to make a decision.

The rear of the camera is dominated by a 2.7-inch LCD screen rated 230K pixels. The K200D does not have Live View so the LCD is for checking the menus and reviewing your shots. There’s also a viewfinder with diopter adjustment that’s surrounded by a soft rubber cushion. Running down the left side of the monitor are Menu, Delete, Info and Playback keys. To right of the screen in a four-way controller with center OK button, a Function key as well as an on/off switch for the image stabilizer. Other controls include a flash up button, a dial for adjusting menus and AE-Lock. The right side has the SD card slot while the left has connections for USB, DC-in and for a remote. On the bottom of this Assembled in the Philippines camera you’ll find the battery compartment, a metal tripod mount and a compartment covering the contact for an optional battery grip.

The Pentax K200D comes with a solid kit including a 3x 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II lens, strap, caps and cables—along with those four lithium AAs. The company also supplies a 264-page Owner’s Manual, a 30-page Quick Guide and a CD-ROM with Pentax Photo Browser 3 and Pentax Photo Laboratory 3 for downloading, handling and “developing” RAW files. A 106-page manual is supplied for these programs. Pop in the batteries and a card and you’re ready to start shooting. Which is exactly what I did…

Image Courtesy of Pentax