Center Weighted • Spot Weighted • TTL • 3D Color Matrix
Auto Exposure
Yes
Red Eye Reduction
With Red Eye Reduction
Flash Guide Number (ft)
12
Bulb Shutter Speed
With Bulb Shutter Speed
Self Timer
Yes
Film Auto Transport
Loading • Rewind • Mid Reload
Dioptric Adjustment Range
from -2.5 to +1.5
Viewfinder Frame Coverage
92 %
Viewfinder Magnification
0.75X
Depth
2.5 in.
Height
3.7 in.
Width
5.4 in.
Weight
18.24 oz.
Release Date
May, 2001
MPN
mzs
Warranty
1 Year Limited
Product ID
43997
Product Description
Heralded as the new flagship model of its popular ZX/MZ SLR series lineup, the MZ-S features a user-friendly “Hyper Operation” system, a new six-point AF system, a top shutter speed of 1/6000 second, an on-the-film data recording function, and a dramatically designed metal body.
Strengths: Fast, sensitive and reliable autofocus.
Built.
Ergonomics, including the famous slanted top panel - it really helps.
Weaknesses: No moisture/dust sealings.
No built in flash exposure compensation.
Well, could we get MZ-S2 or MZ_SD with *ist-like cross sensors array and for a reasonable price? And a cup of coffee? All under $1000 for my next birthday?
Bottom Line:
Great camera. I couldn't get my hands on MZ-S for couple years - they don't sell them in Cleveland, revews were mixed, and an autofocus seemed to be outdated. Once visiting in Chicago, finally got to hold it in my hands and bought it, with the grip, on the spot. I dupmed the *ist, and feel the $600 have been spent well. And I stopped useng the LX as well.
Yes, it lacks the AF sensors in the corners, and all the sensors are linear only, but overall the system is by any means amazingly sensitive and fast. If you read the Popular Photography test you'll see this camera AF speed in the bright light is one of the fastest even by today's standards - "1/3 to 2/5" (i.e., 0.33-0.4) sec. Most of the newest and most expensive bodies from Nikon and Canon end up with 0.4-0.6 sec. Nothing to compare with the *ist or *istD/DS series (which are not bad either). You can feel the difference immediately. I never had any problems with AF shooting kids or animals. Linear sensors ought to be inferior to the cross ones, but so far it performs flawlessly on every possible subject.
It's sturdy and so far very reliable. Ergonomics is absolutely great. Shooting nighttime lanscapes is not a problem. Veiwfinder is wide and bright and, paradoxically, manual focus is easier than with my manual bodies, including my previous favorite LX. All the old manual optics works as promized. It takes rechargeable AA's. I use it almost exclusively with the battery grip which improves the handling, and remove it when my wife wants to use the camera or sometimes for a more "casual" look. By the way, the grip lock is the best I've seen - instead of unscrewing you just snap the lever close/open with your thumb. My brothers shoot with professional Nikons but I don't feel this body is inferior in any regard and after handling the MZ-S they agree with me.
Yes, I do lack two crucial features: the built in flash exposure compensation and the dust and moisture seals. Come on, Pentax, how comes I can't take the "porfessional" body outside to shoot in desert storm or under rain? And if you put the built-in flash on the body aimed at advanced users, why make it almost useless by denying me the contrast/shadow control? My pocket-size digital P&S Minolta G400 knows how to do it!
Yes, I would like to see cross sensors instead of linear ones, as sensitive and with as powerful a motor as in MZ-S, but in the *ist-like array. And even better, the USM lenses coupling. But I suspect it would bring the camera price beyond my bying capacity.
Overall, as expected, I have problems with MZ-S in two situations. First, when I want to shoot outside and it's raining or there is a sand storm. My fears could have been exagerrated, but I don't want to risk the expensive body. I took it to the army trip but tried to keep it in the bag. Second, when shooting with a lot of ambient light, if I don't have time to mount a flash or I feel it will look too "professional" and may offend people, the built-in flash is useless for the shadow control. I can override it with twisting the ISO and manual exposure control, but it's cumbersome. Shame on you, Pentax.
I've used nearly every camera in Pentax' line up, including the beast, the 6x7.
I've never needed autofocus for the type of photography I do for love and profit, my fine art black and white infrared, so I've stuck with the manual focus jewels of the previous pentax generations. Namely, the LX, the K2, and two of the M 42 generation, the Spotmatic F and the ES II as well. Yes, I have two lens line ups, but that satisfies my need for stuff, and the price is right.
But, because I sometimes need autofocus for fast-moving children (my own), I've always had an AF body around too.
My first was the PZ 1, which is everything I could ever need in a camera body, except the ability to focus and lock quickly in dim light.
I hoped the MZ-S was the solution to that. Indeed it was, and much more.
I was dismayed at the slower flash sync speed, since fill-flash is a must for my shots in 75% of the pics I take. So far, after dozens of rolls of film, that has not been a problem.
The on-film data recording is a serious "bell-and-whistle" for a stat freak like me, but it would have been more useful in my formative years, because now I already know what to do, and usually what I did too, so records of shutter speed and aperture are not so important anymore. Now, if I were using the MZ-S for my HIE infrared shooting, that would be a much bigger deal. -- Say, now there's an idea...
The MZ-S has all the features a working pro can't do without, but not all the really fancy things that an F5 or, perhaps a Maxxum 9 does.
And some would say that its feature set suggests a less-expensive price tag. Some even call it a "boutique" camera, meaning, I suppose, its a nice camera, but it won't make the rounds with the vast majority of working pros. Alas. With the right hands working the controls, it would be very nice for sideline sports (even though there are few film cameras left there) but... I"m rambling here.
I give this camera my complete and unreserved endorsement. In every category. A photographer has no reason to abandon pentax because they don't have a "modern" 35mm camera.
Weaknesses: 1. focus point selection not the easiest
2. 2.ffps motor drive
3. lens line up missing built-in image stabilization
these are only a weakness if you really need them.
Bottom Line:
I bought this camera about 3 months ago and
I do not reget it one bit.This camera is definitly not perfect and not for every one.
But,If you are looking for a camera that is small and well built, this one could fit your needs.The MZ-S has a very reliable exposure meter,easy to use control layout
(except focus area selector),fast enough
auto focus(except extreme action photography) all in a small well built body.This camera has been a reliable travel companion and great for landscape,
architecture and wildlife photgraphy.
Pentax has some great lenses in
it's line up and only if you need image
stabilization or extreme telephoto lenses
will you not be disapointed.
I love this camera and If it's features
meet your needs(be honest with yourself)
and you like the layout do not hesitate
to buy one.
Similar Products Used: nikon f100,n80 and fe2
pentax lx(still have)
canon eos elan 7
I tried canon and nikon all good cameras
but the pentax suits me best
Type of photography: Outdoor
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
AndrewF
a Intermediate
from Guelph
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003
Strengths: Solid, well built camera with a comfortable accessory grip.
Very intuative operation.
Less expensive than other Pro bodies which have features I wouldn't use
Weaknesses: Focus point selection.
Lack of sealing against dust and moisture.
No dial on verticle grip for adjusting Shutter speed
Bottom Line:
Solid, well built and very intuative except for the manual focus point selection.
Autofocus is good and focus confirmation with older lenses is worth while.
Hyper operation is also a plus.
Not keen on the lack of sealing against dust and moisture - but then again, it didn't choked the one time I was stuck in a light drizzle.
Because I do mostly Landscape work, the 2.5 FPS doesn't bother me in the least and the built in flash is a nice feature to have for family pics.
Similar Products Used: Olympus OM-4T, Olympus OM-1, Pentax MX
Type of photography: Outdoor
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kurt N
a Intermediate
from Mpls, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2003
Strengths: -Handling and layout (functionality)
-Beautiful and fun to use
-Viewfinder nicely done
-BG-10 Vertical grip
Weaknesses: -2.5fps on pro body??
-AF speed good but not great
-No light up AF points
-At $799, ready for an updated model (don't mess with it too much, though!)
Bottom Line:
Beautiful camera with intelligently laid-out controls. Almost cute with its diminutive size. BG-10 Grip is a must for me, and even adds to camera's beauty. The most comfortable SLR to hold IMHO. Well made, but not to the level of Canon or Nikon pro bodies. The shutter and wind mechanism is very distinct but not in a loud way (sounds like a mouse sneezing). Easy to learn to use, although not as intuitive initially as Canon's offerings. An updated MZ-S with faster AF, higher fps, and AF points that light up would make this camera ideal for me!
