Simple to use. Don't have to be a rocket scientist to change settings. Very low cost compared to most all other brand SLR system and performs just as well.

The only thing that's a small problem but is expected is the low light focusing is a little slow but you cann't ask too much for the price.

For the price the ZX-50 and all other Pentax systems are great buys. Sure you will look like the small guy if name brands are your thing but remember, the equipment does not make the photographer, at least that's what I tell myself untill I can afford the EOS 3, or Maxximum 9.

Customer Service

n/a

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tested pretty much all other brands that are at the same level

Very fast autofocus compared to Minolta HTsi and QTsi. Very good warantee on both the body and lense (28-80) (2 years).

Near perfection pictures in bright light/outdoors.

No depth of field preview.

Can be tricky in low-light/inside.

Very dependable camera. Perfect for first time buyers who do not know a lot about photography but want to grow with their camera. The autofocus is very fast, maybe the fastest in the price range (500$ for body, lense (28-80), gadget bag, UV filter, batteries and 2 films).

Customer Service

Did not has to use it yet.

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Maxxum HTsi.

Inexpensive, easy to use, great step up from a point and shoot camera. Very fast focusing with the included 35-80 lens. Lightweight, just "fits" right in my hand.

Plastic lens mount, no DOF preview, built in meter seems to slightly over-expose in outdoor settings.

Good for the money, but you should consider saving up an extra $100-200 and getting a higher end camera. It seems like it will be sufficent for maybe a year or so, but in 5 years I will have out-grown it.

Customer Service

not neede yet but the camera is only 2 months old.

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none

simple, intuitive controls, light weight, loads of features for the money.

The pop-up flash has given me some dissapointing indoor pictures, I'm about to buy the AF 220 flash.

This is a great camera for beginers; the optical quality is close enough to Canon and Nikon that you'll never notice the difference in standard print sizes, and the controls make a lot more sense. If possible, try to get the kit that comes with the bag and the 28-80 lens.

Customer Service

haven't had to use it yet.

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Canon AE1, Canon Rebel 2000, Nikon N60, Canon Elan II

-Accurate Autofocusing
(When Used Under
Normal Conditions)
-Accurate Metering (When
NOT Used In Extremely
Difficult Conditions)
-Rugged Design
-Ease of Use
-Compatible With Almost
All Pentax Accessories
and Lenses
-PRICE PRICE PRICE!!!

-Vertically Oriented
Autofocus, Also a Bit
Slow and Noisy
-No Exposure Lock
-Rather Dark Viewfinder
-Included Lens Is Not
What You Would Expect
From Pentax

Considering the camera with a 35-80mm lens costs around $250.00, you will be hard-pressed to find a better quality camera for the price. It's a sturdy little work horse that has yet to yield poor results (under normal, everyday conditions), though the included lens is not what one would expect from Pentax.

I bought an additional lens (100-300mm zoom lens, also Pentax), and coupled with the ZX-50, lemme tell ya...you will get great pictures! The thing that amazed me the most was that it only costs what it does. It really does have wonderful light metering, given that it only uses two segments to do so, and the autofocus is accurate, provided you don't insist that it hold up in difficult focusing situations, i.e. focusing on a horizontal line or small, jumbled textures in low light. Your best bet in this case is to buy a Pentax dedicated flash with AF spotbeam. The flash itself will tell exactly how far away something is, and make the camera focus accordingly (even in total darkness!).

I have a PZ-1P that I bought in lieu of a Nikon F100 (budget restrictions as well as my devotion to Pentax's impeccible quality...it really does give the F100 a run for its money), and I find myself using my ZX-50 considerably more often, even though it's not a pro body, but uses the same lenses.

If you're an amateur, you cannot go wrong with this camera. It WILL let you take pictures that will stand up side-by-side with those taken with the higher-end Canons and Nikons, once you get the basics of composition and such down, and invest a little extra money in a better lens (it's almost always about the lens more than the camera body). If you're a pro, as I have only recently become, you cannot ask for a better backup camera, especially if you have a small budget after buying your expensive pro-body and lenses.

Some people complain that it isn't compatible with the plain ol' K-mount lenses. It's compatible, it just won't offer light metering, and the aperture will stay wide-open. Unless you're after serious depth of field, or just have no idea what shutter speed to use with such an aperture (whatever the maximum aperture of your particular lens is), then using the occasional MF lens won't pose a problem.

Normally, I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars, but, again, considering what you get for the price, I HAVE to give it a full five overall. Just try one...you'll see what I mean!

Customer Service

Haven't had to use it yet.

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Canon Elan IIE, Nikon F100, Nikon N90s, Pentax Z-1P, Canon A2E, Minolta X700, Vivitar V4000, Pentax K-1000

It´s lightweight, easy to use, and the manual mode it´s quite complete. Begginers will be satisfied, and many pros also wiil be

It´s hard focusing at low light conditions, but not too much

Pictures in paper was nice, and i got the pictures that i imaged before shooting. Im very satisfied with the camera and the lens.

Customer Service

i haven´t needed yet

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Nikkon f-70 with 35-80 zoom

Ease of use, eg, easily read controls and indicators
Flexibility, ie, can be used in extremes of operating conditions
Light weight
Wide lens range available

Feels like it needs careful handling, though no problems evident
Low light focussing, overcome using manual focus
Noisy rewind with no warning may be a problem for silent operation, eg, bird photography)

Purchased for an extensive overseas trip and camera performed immaculately over a very busy schedule (once the need for occasional manual focus was recognised). Lets an enthusiastic amateur produce work like a pro.

Customer Service

Not used

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Older Pentax SLR

Very easy to use. Takes great pictures, especially night pictures.

Hard to focus in dark lighting.

I am extremely please with thing camera. I am a beginner and it took no time at all to learn how to use my camera!

Customer Service

n/a

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n/a

-It's easy to use, produces great results.....

-I took it on a round-world holiday and I went through 65 rolls of film, dropped it twice, dragged it through the dirt, taken it from the beach to the snow in all climates- STILL NO PROBLEMS!

-It's light to carry around.

-Great flash.

I found the manual hard to understand, so I never bothered to read the rest of it...

It's a little noisy when it takes a photo, focuses, and rewinds- not good in a church wedding scene when it's all quiet!
-Not that great if it's too dark....finds it hard to auto focus.

Overall, It's great value for your money, it's light and it works for the family shots as well as the Artty-fartty ones!- I have, through the cameras' results, convinced my friends to buy it too..
I love PENTAX!!

Customer Service

I have not needed it to be serviced yet.

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Old SLR camera's from art's school

Ease of use, reliability,quick focusing in daylight, it's built strong - I've taken it to the snow and the beaches with strong sand winds, I don't handle it particularly with care but it's been doing great without a single problem ever.

takes a while to focus in the dark, sometimes you might need to focus manually. also, the inbuilt flash is not strong enough extreme dark or indoor pictures.

great value for the price you pay.

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None