Pentax ZX-50 / MZ-50 35mm SLRs

Pentax ZX-50 / MZ-50 35mm SLRs 

DESCRIPTION

The ultra-compact ZX-50 autofocus SLR combines simple operation and sophisticated features at a very affordable price. The ZX-50's "Green Operation Mode" offers point-and-shoot convenience, ideal for those who are new to SLR photography or for capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments quickly and effortlessly. Creative control can be yours by switching to one of the four program modes or by choosing Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Metered Manual or Bulb modes.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 62  
[Mar 28, 2023]
ampva301


Strength:

It is lightweight and compact design makes it easy to carry around. Simple to use, with an intuitive menu system and clear LCD display. Auto-focus system is fast and accurate, making it easy to capture sharp images. Compatible with a wide range of Pentax K-mount lenses. | Frisco Concrete Contractors

Weakness:

Viewfinder is small and can be difficult to see in low-light conditions.

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
4
[Dec 03, 2021]
stussy


Strength:

CHECK THIS OUT java burn

Weakness:

NONE SO FAR

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Dec 03, 2021]
Janwil


Strength:

nice product! catering service nanaimo

Weakness:

none so far

OVERALL
RATING
4
[May 05, 2021]
katelinx


Strength:

It's very easy to operate. Reasonable framing speed. Good AF. Bright focusing screen. You can turn off the focus confirmation beep especially when capturing my father while doing winching service.

Weakness:

Finder readouts protrude into the viewing area.

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Mar 26, 2010]
knightrider2011
Casual

Strength:

Easy to use even for the beginner, good quality pictures, nice built-in flash that you can pop up and fill the entire room evenly with light. CR2 lithium batteries seem to last forever (1 year at least, for me anyway) and are cheap ($5). Low battery warning lets you know in advance so your batteries don't die on you before you can replace them. Lightweight for an SLR, thus, easy to carry around. Appears to have good build quality as it was new in 1996 and I bought it used in 2008 and put 20 rolls of film through it, yet it still works perfectly.

Weakness:

Sometimes the autofocus does not focus properly (a bit soft at times), but this may be due to the aftermarket lens (Sigma) being used instead of the official Pentax brand.
Adjusting the aperture/shutter would be easier if there was a wheel. The lens sometimes hunts too much, especially in low light, even though the light in the room seems to be enough. However, manual focus will fix that. :-) Lightweight body can mean more camera shake.

I bought this used from a photographer in 2008 and it is the first time I've used an SLR. I was stunned at the quality of the prints because I had never used a better camera than this. It really is straightforward and easy to use.

I started out using the fully automatic mode, then progressed to manual focus, but prefer using autofocus and aperture priority mode. The CR2 lithium batteries seem to last forever and only cost $5 for a pair. (1 year with lots of flash use and my second set has lasted over a year thus far, but I'm not using the flash as often either).

It came with a Sigma 28—80mm f/3.5—5.6 zoom lens, which does the job just perfectly for me, although admittedly the images aren't always sharp, despite what you see in the viewfinder. That said, 95% of the time they are sharp and crisp, showing lots of detail. A 50mm prime lens would probably yield even better results, but I am satisfied with my purchase.

I am glad to be in the world of film again after using digital cameras for the past 9 years. Film has taught me patience and to use precision in my photography. I shoot about a roll a month.

I highly recommend this to those new to the world of film photography or who have never used an SLR. It is entry-level but has good features and appears to have good build quality.

This camera does not disappoint, especially for the price I paid for it.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it.

Similar Products Used:

none

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 16, 2003]
Vadim
Intermediate

Strength:

Easy to operate Precise meter

Weakness:

Not USM-compatable

I'm not going to takl about fast or noisy autofocus - it is not the matter of the camera, it is the matter of the lenses! The camera itself is easy to operate and pretty intuitive (for me :-) Precise exposure meter, good viewfinder info, very comfortable to hold. I use this camera already for 5 years, and I'm not going to change it meanwhile. Offcoarse it is not a "pro" camera, but it suites 95% of all non-professional needs :)

Similar Products Used:

Zenit-12

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Nov 04, 2002]
Les Burel
Intermediate

Strength:

Light , shutter is quiet, easy to figure out if you don't have the manual. Accepts all previous Pentax bayonet lenses. Makes a good program, auto, manual camera if you forget about the auto-focus.

Weakness:

Lousy auto-focus. and it whirrs just like the new MZ-50, SF1, and PZ10 I had a while back. Maybe this camera isn't partial to aftermarket brand lenses.

I've had an MZ-50 before for a short time and it was light, easy to use, shutter was quiet,and the auto-focus wasn't bad. Pentax seems to have a noisier auto-focus than the Canon Elan II or the Rebel. The MZ I have now I bought used on eBay. It came with Two Tamron AF lens. Doesn't focus well with either of them. I tried a new Vivitar AF lens and got the same results. Otherwise this camera makes a superb non-AF camera. The Canon EOS's seem to be far superior.

Customer Service

Haven't tried it.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel and Elan II. They both are quieter in the AF mode and the AF has an assist light, (infra-red on the Elan) for focusing in low light.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
3
[Sep 06, 2002]
SwimPhoto15
Intermediate

Strength:

Very few controls, very easy to operate. Reasonable framing speed. Good AF. Bright focusing screen. You can turn off focus confirmation beep.

Weakness:

Finder readouts protrude into the viewing area. Limited ISO's for flash use. (only up to 800 speed film). 1/100 sec flash sync isn't that great for outdoors. Knob for changing shutter speeds and aperatures in slower than a wheel. It only lacks multiple exposures, a simple and gratifying feature.

Compact and lightweight, this is an ideal camera for general purpose photography. It has a high enough framing speed for trying to capture a few shots of someone before they notice. Controls with no clutter.

Similar Products Used:

Rebel 2000, Rebel SII, Canon EOS IX, Elan II, Elan 7

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 20, 2002]
DAVID BAXTER
Intermediate

Strength:

Cheap and Light.

Weakness:

Slow focus, bad metering, no DOF, feels cheap without the FG-10 battery grip.

DON'T BUY THIS CAMERA. BUY THE ZX-7/MZ-7. This camera is not a bad camera, but you can get more for not the much more out of the 7 or the 5n or even the new zx-l, but the camera has no DOF, not great metering, no focus in a darker room, But its not that the camera is terrible, just that you can get a much better camera for just a little bit more, and forger the 28-85 lens it comes with.

Customer Service

Very good

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 500, MZ-S, a great camera, Pentax Z1-P, Nikon F100.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
2
[May 12, 2002]
shotguy345
Expert

Strength:

Light weight how easy it is to use

Weakness:

flash

This is a very good camera for beginers and intermiate and even expert this is 1 of the most reliable and efficent camreas I ever used.

Customer Service

didn''t need it

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel,canon eos

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 62  

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