- Image quality in RAW (depending on lens of course)
- Built quality
- Manual settings range (modes, program lines etc.)
- Weather-proof
- Features (shake reduction, dust removal)
- PRICE!

NONE
Only one improvement would be welcome: dedicated button for WB and ISO

Pentax K10D (and K20D now) is the best camera on the market! Had that camera been produced by Canon, it would cost well over $2,000.
This camera is without any doubt a proffesional tool and when mounted with the top pentax lenses (especially the limited series) it delivers just perfect results. What is the best and also quite strange about this camera is the following: I used it on several photographic workshops and when we compared the same scenes taken by K10D to Canons (40D, 450D) and Nikons (D300, D80) we all agreed we just LIKE IT BETTER - don´t ask me why....:o)
As this is a proffesional camera, you have to shoot RAW of course and process the images (Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are the best combination probably) in your PC. Never shoot JPEG unless you are shooting your family for your gradma....
Excellent is the variability of manual setting, especially the range of available modes.
I like the shake reduction - do not have to carry a tripod when I am lazy...:o)
Dust and weather-proof camera helps you not to worry when rain starts to fall, mist appears or sand is blown by the wind - excellent feature!
The built quality is just amazing, it is so lovely to hold the camera. Thank you Pentax for not competing on size and weight - when I imagine a solid camera, Pentax K10D is what is see.
Everything you need when working with the camera is very quickly and easily accessible, maybe ISO and WB could have a dedicated button, but going to the Function menu is also very fast and easy.

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

Shortly tried some Canon and Nikon

Dependable construction.

Too much automation. I like everything manual.

Excellent camera. Before purchasing it I bought the cheapest SLR I could get - istDL. Recently I bought the K10D. This is the right tool for me - robust construction, and I can use same FA lenses I used on my LX and MZ-5n. Some say, K10D underperformes in JPEG conversion. Well, I do not know if its true, because I never use JPEG. I take time working with RAW and shoot only RAW. (By the way, if it were cheaper, I would gladly buy a similar camera without even having any JPEG conversion. I have not even installed the Pentax software supplied with the camera, PhotoShop CS2 is so good!)

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

ME super
LX
MZ-5n
istDL

This camera feels much more solid in my hands compared to my Rebel XT. So far its biggest plusses are the image quality in RAW and the dust buster. Tripod shots in low light and low ISO (up to 400) produced very silky results.
Tested for sensor dust against a blue sky and noticed one small speck out of the box. Used my bulb blower once, then shot again. Result: THE CLEANEST IMAGE SENSOR I'VE EVER SEEN! One less thing to worry about when swapping lenses on hikes.

Just two things:
At ISOs over 400 there is clearly vertical pattern noise. And it's not just in the shadows like I've read. I enjoy shooting in low light and my Canon made this very comfortable because the results were acceptable at ISO 1600. Granted, I'm no pro, but I do wish that my top-line Pentax camera was able to handle high ISO shots as good as my 2-year-old mid-priced XT. Eh, go figure.
My other gripe is just with the fact that the camera and kit lens were not packaged with genuine caps/covers. Pentax just packed a pair of cheesy plastic pieces to keep things covered until I got the lens on the body.

I don't have many hours on this camera yet to write a complete review, but I can say a couple of things about the K10D:
The dust buster really works
The camera feels solid in my hands
RAW output is gorgeous
Verical Pattern Noise is a reality at ISO 1600 (especially in shadows)

Customer Service

Not used yet...

Similar Products Used:

Canon Digital Rebel XT

I like a big, heavy, well built camera that feels like you can take it, throw it over a mountain into a river and it would survive. I think this thing can. Feels, looks and acts as pro camera. The bad thing, Pentax doesn't have the rep of being a pro DSLR, at least not yet.

Poor marketing of the line makes it feel like it's a prosumer set up. But things seem to be chaning and soon I'll think this and newer Pentax DSLRs will rival the other two companies.

I like to keep it simple and short. As a professional photographer (and an avid Pentax man), this is a GREAT camera! Total control over what ever you need with outstanding results! The big two companies?? Well here comes the third at a much better value.

Customer Service

Help on the website is lacking, again, a marketing problem.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax MZ-7
Pentax *ist D

I like the feel. The controls are easy to reach. The guys that did the ergonomics on this thing were obviously photographers. I shoot all my photos in RAW format, so I like the built-in DNG format. It imports directly into Photoshop. And it has an Adobe color space option, too.
For me, the fact that I can use all my old SMC lenses and dedicated flashes was a big plus.
So far, the battery seems to last forever. I've taken several hundred photos on a single charge with very little drop in the battery indicator. But I rarely use the built in flash.
The image quality is also exceptional. I only use the ASA100 sensitivity, so I'm not sure how noisy it will get at higher speeds. I've enlarged photos to 20"x30" with amazing clarity and without noticeable grain. Of course, that's using my old SMC f1.4 lens, too.

It's a little heavy (compared to my old film camera body), but it doesn't seem much heavier than my sister's Canon. And it feels more solid than the Canon. The controls have a more precise feel, too. Still, once I put a telephoto lens on this thing, it starts to wear on my neck.
The Pentax 18-55mm DA lens that came with the camera is a bit of a disapointment. Compared to all my old SMC lenses, this one seems cheap (to be fair, it is cheap). It works fine, but is doesn't have that really solid feel that you get with the old SMC lenses. I guess you get what you pay for (or at least you won't get it if you don't pay for it).

This is my first Digital SLR. I bought a Pentax ME and several lenses when I lived in Japan in the late 70's, so I went with this body in order to be able to use my fleet of lenses.
Since I have almost no experience with other digital SLR's, I don't really have a baseline, but from the experiences I've had so far, I'm thrilled with this camera. Compared to my old ME-super film body, this thing weighs a ton, but there is a whole lot more stuff in the K10D.
This was a bit of a leap of faith. In addition to the lenses, I have some powerful Sunpak flashes that were made to interface with my old Pentax body. I wasn't sure if all these accessories would work with the new camera. Basically, they do. (sometime you get lucky)
The flashes work great. All the auto synching, shutter control, etc. works as expected. The lenses are another story.
I only had one SMC lens that had an Automatic setting for the aperature (I always wondered what that was for...) That is the only lens that really integrated properly with this camera. All the others have to be operated manually. The only exposure control setting that works with the older lenses is the Hyper Manual setting. None of the others will move the aperature off it's wide-open setting. To use these lenses, I have to put the camera in manual, use the exposure preview feature to check the exposure, then manipulate the shutter speed or F-stop to get the proper exposure. Fortunately, the way the controls are set up on this camera, all these steps don't take too long, but for action shots, it's a bit complicated.
I was torn when I was researching this thing. Since this was my first digital SLR, I thought about going with a Nikon or Canon. The prices are similar. My lens and flash investment pushed me over the edge. I suppose ignorance is bliss, but I'm happy with my decision. This camera is really nice.
I'm not a professional photographer, but I take a lot of photos in my job (marketing engineer). I've taken tens of thousands of photos over the past 30 years and have taken the craft seriously. I am a Photoshop expert as well. Non-professionals like my photos, but I'm a little shy about showing them to pros. I'm a gadget guy, so I study my toys thoroughly and try to get the full use of them. I'm enjoying this one.

Customer Service

No experience.

Similar Products Used:

None. I've been a Pentax film camera guy for 30 years and I've had a few point-and-shoot digitals, but this is my first digital SLR.
I had a pretty nice Panasonic point-and-shoot with a 10:1 zoom. My daughter had her's stolen from her luggage at the airport, so I gave mine to her. That's how I justified buying the K10D. But now I think I might have to buy another point-and-shoot for the times that I don't want to lug my big camera bag along.
Or maybe I'll put that money towards another lens...

- Build quality. Very solid, good feel. Quite heavy, but I like it that way!
- Shake reduction. Often helps a lot when the light is quite difficult. And you can use any lens with it.
- 2 separate control wheels.
- Good interface.

Nothing that would bother me.

I'm using this camera for half a year now and I am absolutely happy with it!

Customer Service

No experience so far.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus E-20 & E-1

Build Quality
Image Quality
Raw Button
TAv mode (and other innovative modes)
Quality Pentax optics including hand built Limiteds and Pancake lenses
Upcomiong Super Sonic Motor in-lens AF motors by June
Yes, you can get lenses for Pentax DSLR's
Compatability in ALL MODES back to 1980 wit "A" lenses
Compatability further back with M and screw mount lenses
More ACCURATE autofocus
Weatherproofing
etc.

Outlined in my suggestions in my review.

I don't know what type of review you are looking for, but I have found my K10D to be a far more effective high quality image tool than the Canon 400D that I had for about a week. Once you get the settings tweaked correctly, even the jpegs have far better color accuracy.

The only instances of less noise on the Canon were found to be because Canon has more automatic in-camera noise reduction so blurs a bit more detail as well.

I still feel the K10D is the best of its type in image quality along with its better build and fit & finish, even though I wish Pentax would correct a few niggles with a firmware update.

1) I feel they should improve the jpg processing for a better tone curve closer to how well its RAW files can be interpreted by outside programs like ACR or Lightroom with an eye toward increasing Dynamic Range like the 22-bit processor advertises.

2) Add an edge sharpening algorithm as a menu option so those who need to save post processing time can choose this instead of the dark halo sharpening Pentax uses:

CUSTOM MENU>

.................SHARPENING>

......................1- DEFAULT
......................2- EDGE USM

3) Solve or minimize VPN so there is more usable Dynamic Range in the Shadows. The range is there (so far in RAW), but gets cut short if VPN begins to show. If the noise was patternless, it would be no problem.

4) When in Auto-ISO and HyperProgram, for example indoors, the range being 100-800, the K10D will start off at ISO 800, and as you slow up the shutter speed, the Auto ISO will lower the ISO until it reaches 100.

Then, you will not be able to choose faster shutter speeds because the ISO will be locked at 100. In other words, you can't reverse direction, expecting the ISO to go back towards 800.

One manager at Pentax was told about this, and just said this is how we "designed" it, so it will not be fixed. I think this should be fixed aka designed better.

4a) Also on tweaking Auto ISO, as per a suggestion by the indubitable Ken Rockwell:

"If using auto ISO in auto, Av, or program mode, the k10d should stay at your chosen lowest ISO value and allow you to set a shutter speed threshold at which the ISO will change to the next highest or lowest level needed to maintain proper exposure at a given aperture."

5) A menu option for Noise Reduction levels that can be user defeatable to preserve Pentax philosophy of no noise reduction (unlike Nikon where it can NEVER be turned completely off - even in RAW)

All of this is almost completely doable in a firmware update, and would make the K10D an even better tool than it already is, and would make a lot of common concerns into non-issues and get people off the fence in buying a K10D. Pentax even has mentioned they might use firmware to introduce 16 bit RAW files ( as originally intended) hopefully taking more advantage of the 22-bit PRIME processor.

Hopefully they realize the importance of doing this (and the maybe some of the other tweaks) for the current already sold K10D cameras that people invested $1000 in, rather than making the decision to focus on including these things in the K10D replacement scheduled to come out already in the fall.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 400D
Nikon D80

Excellent image quality up to 800 iso. Very fine optics. Incredible constructon and resonable price.

Lack of Synchro Flash X input. No problem I use a remote sensor on my Hot Shoe for studio work

I have been a Pro Photographer for about 25 years. I am a Canadian based in Paris, France.I have worked in New York, London, Paris, Milan and LA and have used everything from Bronica to 'Blad's to Sinar to Fuji 680 to Pentax 6-7 and 645 and Canon. I was sponsored here in France by Canon. I had been quite curious about the new direction of Pentax and their affiliation with Samsung and Tokina/Hoya. I always loved Tokina lenses especially their 80-200 f2.8 lens. Most of my work gets published in magazine and on occasion as PLV's and catalogues. In almost all cases I used my 8 MP Canon camera's for all of my magazine work.

As of about two weeks ago, I decided to go with Pentax and am now sponsored by them. I was not approached by them and was not offered any financial remuneration for doing so. I made the decision to switch because of the fine reputation has had with all of the pro studio photographers. I just think that the K10D does 80-90 percent of all of the things I would expect from a camera. I am also using all of their pancake lenses as well as their 12-24, 16-45 and 100 macro. I will receive the 16-50 and 50-135 when they come out in March.

I will use the K10D for an up and coming editorial in "Issue One" magazine UK.
http://www.issue-one.com.

I really think Pentax DSLR's have come of age

http://www.pressbook.com/homebook.asp?langue_id=2&owner_id=5144

Customer Service

None Needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon 10D, 20D, 1Ds Mkll

Solid feel, fast response, good long burst of RAW (if you need it) at a fast frame rate (unlimited until card full in jpeg).

Very clever new modes , TAv and Sv. Probably has a lot of engineers scratching their heads and saying "DUH, why didn't I think of that?"
I like the fact that all my old lenses work like a charm with this camera. Even old M and K lenses. That's a lot of expensive glass I won't have to replace!
The spare memory card in the battery grip is pretty clever, too.

MAIN POINTS -------------------

In body shake reduction. That means my M 200 f/4 from the Paleolithic (an excellent lens) has image stabilization. For less than a thousand bucks! For no bucks, since I already own the lens.

Dust reducer . It may not totally replace Peck Pads and Eclipse fluid, but it significantly reduces the need for them

customizable control wheels allow you to make the camera fit your style of shooting.

I wish there were more customizable settings for the control wheels.

Finally, a pro camera from Pentax. You'd think with all those incredible lenses they'd have a pro body.

Well, now they do.

This is a robust, well-thought out camera and makes me wonder if the sleeping giant is going to emerge the way they dominated the 50's and 60's. They certainly have the optics for it!

Customer Service

Never need it yet. Pentax have always been very responsive in the past,

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F and lenses, Pentax *st D, Pentax MX with winders (two), Canon SLR's and lenses, medium format SLR's Olympus DSLR's.

build quality
shake reduction system
weather tight seals
excellent image quality
nice assortment of lenses that don't break the bank

none so far

I moved over to Pentax from the Canon 20D. I did so primarily for a change but also to try out another company's technology. I'd been a Canon user since 1976, my first camera being the FTB. This move was quite a switch because I'd never used any other camera brand. Over the years I've owned the A1 (still do), F1, digital rebel and the 20D. Pentax intrigued me with their technology and as I've alwaysa dmired their lens quality, decided to give the K10D a try. After a little over a month, I am not disappointed! Image quality and control is excellent and the look, feel and build are probably equal to or better than the 20D. I like the image stabilization feature as it allows me to use smaller aperature lenses with no loss of usability, not to mention the savings factor. I am currently carrying the DA 16-45 and DA 50-200 in my bag. I used the Sigma lineup on my Canon, the 18-50 f2.8 and the 70-200f2/8 so I have some quality lenses for comparisons. The Pentax set up has better tone and overall image quality, especially with the 16-45 which I feel is a superior lens. In photoshop, I have less to fix with my new stuff, the images are that good. In the raw format they're close to unbelievable......really! I've shot some action stuff and landscapes primarily so far and can share the following in comparison to my Canon/Sigma set up:
1. Cleaner, sharper images, especially at larger aperatures.
2. Better macro capability.
3. Better in-camera control.
4. Good user interface.
5. Maybe not as fast continuous shooting but adequate for sure.
6. Much, much lighter than the Canon/Sigma telephoto combo. The DA50-200 is really pretty nice for the price and size.
7. For the money (I saved a lot selling the 20D and both Sigma lenses) a very good camera/lens comination.

I'm not an expert so I don't feel qualified to go into details that I'm not really familiar with or don't really care about. In my experience though, I feel qualified to say what works and what doesn't or, what is a good buy or not. This pentax equipment is top rate, surely on par with the big brothers and maybe a bit better. Anyone using this camera for a variety of subjects will find it user friendly, well built, fast and accurate. I would imagine that the new lenses Pentax has planned for early next year will make it an even better outfit. What else can I say?......if you're in themarket for a quality dslr and want to take advantage of shake what i think is a great camera buy the Pentax.

Customer Service

not experienced yet but would expect it to be good based on everything else I experienced with this company

Similar Products Used:

Canon 20D