Purchased as a backup to my LX, I now find myself using it as my primary camera. The analog controls are so much easier to use than the digital nonsense found on many modern cameras. This camera was bought used without a manual, every function was obvious.

The matrix metering is wonderful. The exposures with slide film are right on the mark even in some tough situations (a surprise). Manual exposure control and bracketing is simple, fast, and effective.

The photos I take do not require autofocus, so that function is turned off and I can't provide any useful information about it.

All of my lenses, even very old K versions from 20 years ago work flawlessly.

The light weight is a welcome feature. Depth of field preview, a requirement, is included.

If only it had mirror lockup...

Great 35mm camera, especially for those with an investment in older Pentax lenses.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Pentax LX, MX 35mm.
Pentax 67.
Relatively new Olympus Zoom 115 P&S.

Matrix meeting very reliable, even in difficult situations. I shoot mostly slides and only a couple of shots on a roll are out. This is the most reliable exposures of any of my cameras.

Intuitive layout means no manual required. Particularly easy for users of older manual SLRS.

Depth of field preview essential for serious photography, not many at this price range have it. Metal lens mount also unusual at this price.

Pentax lenses at the cheaper end of the market far superior to cheap canon and nikon lenses. I have not the budget to stretch to their pricier ones.

Viewfinder information difficult to see when outdoors, fine indoors. A better eye cup didnt help.

Autofocus not as good as canons, but not far off. I find that when aiming at a low contrast target that the narrow beam AF is more reliable than when set on wide beam. perhaps wouldnt have misssed that bear if using it!

Ideal Camera for serious amateur, set on program autofocus for family snaps, but has real control availible for when you want it.

Would I buy it again? no doubt at all....

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

I have only this in Autofocus SLR.

I also use Olympus OM1, OM2, OM4

and several compacts and Medium format shots.

A great little SLR camera that's compact & lightweight. Perfect if you're going to be carting it around everywhere with you. It was also very easy to learn how to use (I barely needed the instruction book) and it takes great shots with my old manual K-mount lenses. Handy features include DOF preview, spot metering, and for those of you who are short sighted, an adjustable dioptre viewfinder, and a beep that tells you you're in focus when focusing manually (I imagine other new SLRs have that as well, but I thought it was really cool).

The autofocus system doesn't quite cut the mustard for fast moving sports photography. I also found I couldn't use my old cable release either, I didn't realise when I bought it that it takes some special electronic one that costs a fair bit.

I chose the MZ5 when I made that giant leap from manual to modern automated SLRs, for the features that it offered combined with the fact that it was compatible with my manual Pentax K-mount lenses. I must say I was impressed with the results from the very first roll of film. However, I have found that it isn't really suited for sports photography (a relatively recent addiction of mine), and I will be (reluctantly) selling my MZ5 to pay for a new Canon EOS50. Other than that, I can't really fault it, and I readily recommend it especially for beginners and intermediate amateurs.

Customer Service

Never needed it. (Touch wood!)

Similar Products Used:

Pentax A3
Pentax K1000

ease of use. its cheaper than a lot of the others (for good reason)

poor metering, poor autofocus, even though this camera has "manual" focus capability you can forget about useing this thing in manual focus, its just too difficult with this view finder.

great for taking snap shots but if you want quality sharp prints fagitaboutit! i used to be a pentax believer but this camera cured me of that. Nikon all the way!!

Customer Service

never tried it.

Similar Products Used:

spotmatic II, XG1, me super, k 1000, nikon n80.

Three metering modes and all of them right on the dot! Adjustable auto-bracketing via the exposure control dial. Solid feel, ideal weight and balance. Easy, intuitive controls. Great looks and a great value.

None that I can think of. Autofocus assist beam for low light/contrast situations might be an enhancement for Pentax to consider, but still overall a good AF system. Plastic body but hey, they are "all" plastic now days. Some don't like the 1/100 flash sync speed as too slow but I doubt 1/125 would make all that much difference and I don't know of any camera in this price range that can do 1/250.

I was so impressed with my ZX-M that shortly after I bought it, I decided to try the ZX-5n. This camera is simply unparalleled in its capabilities and design by anything else in this price range. It is the easiest way to take amazing pictures as well as try your creativity using its full manual, multi-metering mode. The metering of the ZX-5n is very accurate. I have easily taken very demanding shots with the 6-segment evaluative mode that would otherwise require much longer thinking and at least more than occasional bracketing to take with even the ZX-M or the Minolta x700. Equally, the spot meter is simply perfect (for my tastes anyway) allowing proper exposure of the subject in even the worst conditions. Let's face it, aside from all the bells and whistles, the best cameras are those that have the most accurate metering systems and the ZX-5n delivers very satisfactorily in this area. I really like the 'adjustable' bracketing feature on the ZX-5n when coupled with the EV manual exposure compensation. This allows you to bracket around 0 or around +1/2 or -1/2, or +1, -1, etc. for additional ease of creative venturing. The controls are easy to use, check, and understand. The overall feel and balance of the camera is simply ideal. Bottom line, this camera is good enough for any advanced amateur or even as an entry point into professional photography. One thing is for certain; you will have a hard time outgrowing its features and capabilities or discovering the next best thing without braking your wallet in the process.

Customer Service

Not needed so far.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax ZX-M, Minolta x700, Nikon FM10

Features-2-Dollar Ratio. Wide availability of K-mount lenes. Spot AF. Style. Control layout- Very intuitive use (never need to consult the manual). Metal lens mount. Auto-focus system "beeps" when in foucs using MF lenses. Remote release. ISO override. Mid-roll rewind. VERY GOOD matrix metering system, and dead-on spot-metering.

Are there any? Maybe a slight improvement on the grip, but it's not bad as is. Could be a bit bigger overall, but that's a matter of personal taste.

I am only posting this review to counter the review if the previous poster- Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but either that guy got a defective camera, or he is a total crack-head and posted that review while high. This is the BEST AF SLR in it's class. Don't take my word for it- Read the reviews of this model by every major photography magazine and you will see the reviews are GLOWING across the board. This camera was also the European SLR of the Year for 1996 and 1997 when it was first released as the ZX-5 (5n added auto-bracketing and DOF preview). Popular Photography had this to say about this camera... "Read this carefully: This is the best camera and lens outfit for less than $1000 we've ever tested, ok?". This camera puts the proverbial "smack down" on the Nikon N60 and N70. Contrary to what the previous poster stated, the multi-segmment matrix metering is EXCELLENT, and Pentax's AF is one of the highest regarded system's in the biz. This camera is LOADED with features and you are guaranteed not to want for more. The handgrip could be a bit more "modern" such as the chunky grip on current AF Nikons, or even on Pentax's own PZ-1P "Pro" SLR, and I'm not wild about small SLR bodies: However, there is a solution to this! You can add up a AA battery pack for about $40 that adds weight, size, and improves the grip a bit. The camera looks much more "serious" with this added on.

This is not a "Pro" camera, and Pentax doesn't market as such. It is their top of the line "enthusiast" SLR, but it is capable of some very serious photography work. If you want a "pro" camera and want to buy Pentax, take a look at the PZ-1P, or better yet, hold out until 2001 when they will release the ZX-1 pro model.

Forget that previous review. Read the others, talk to a knowledgable salesperson, and read the reviews of the ZX-5/5n published by the major Photography mags. You won't regret buying this camera!

Customer Service

Via the website, very responsive.

Similar Products Used:

Canon, Nikon, and Minolta models at similar price point.

Ergonomics of the body is great--everything is within easy reach--seems to combine the best features of modern SLRs with the best features of their mechanical predecessors.

Feels nice in my hands. Very nice looking too.

All of Pentax's lenses, with the exception of the old screw mount lenses, will work with this camera.

I love this camera with Pentax's new FA35/2AL lense--very fast focussing, and sharp, sharp, sharp.

I have large hands and this camera without the optional battery pack "F" is almost too small (almost, but not quite). The "F" battery pack makes it just about perfect.

I am a little concerned about the body being overbalanced if I put too large or heavy a lens on it, but that hasn't happened yet.

The camera strap lugs/bosses (not sure what to call them) are kind of cheezey, but seem to do the job. I'd prefer the older swivel style connectors.

The rubber eye-cup should be larger, to do a better job blocking ambient light in very bright conditions.

I like it. For $310, the ZX-5n QD is hard to beat. Sounds odd, but it inspires the same affection I feel for my G4 Mac.

Customer Service

Haven't had occasion to call on them yet.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel w/cheezey Canon consumer zoom
Pentax K1000 w/ 50/1.7 & 105/2.8
Mamiya/Sekor 1000

Various point & shoots.

-ergonomical
-very straightforward
-looks awsome
-sturdy
-full of features yet compact

-shutter speeds cannot be manually set longer than 2 seconds. must use B mode if you want to go above 2 seconds.

i will try to add new comments about this camera since everyone else already did such a great job in describing it. but i agree with each and every positive point previously mentioned about this camera because i have personaly experienced the benefits found in the ZX-5n which are lacking in most of its competitors. this site played a major part in my decision to buy this camera. i read and reread each and every review for this camera and others i thought were compatible. and then for 3 weeks i made a comparison chart of about 12 cameras before realizing the ZX-5n is the best. so thank you everyone for the great advice. i am very happy with my new ZX-5n. most of my experiences have been with a basic olympus XA rangefinder, a nikon FM2, and several point and shoots. so i definately like simplicity, ergonomics, durability and versatility (manual and auto functions). the ZX-5n has provided me with all of this. i have big hands (i can grasp a basketball with one hand) and this ZX-5n fits perfectly in my palms (even though it may be the smallest SLR body to be found. and i don't have the optional AA battery pack). all the controls are placed so perfectly at the tips of my fingers that i don't even have to remove my eye from the viewfinder when switching settings. and with hands like mine, you don't want to be bothered with pressing little buttons to toggle around settings on an LCD display. if you can turn a doorknob, you can operate this camera! this camera is all knobs and most everything is displayed in the viewfinder (which i found to be bright enough even while taking a picture of a 200 watt light bulb). the three metering systems (6-segment, center weighted, and spot) are very accurate and the photo results prove that it actually works. the price is excellent (i got mine from adorama for $308). film can be rewound anytime during the roll. panorama photos really
impress friends so much so they think you are a pro. very solid feel. metal lens mount with red dot to help guide lens. and lens release button allows very smooth detachment of lens. bar graph in viewfinder in manual mode tells exactly how over/underexposed your picture is. tiny light in viewfinder appears whenever something comes into focus. also makes beeping sound everytime something comes into focus (which can be turned off but is useful if you're too busy to look over at the viewfinder readings). so a blind man could take pictures with this camera (and im not making a joke). meter lock is a great advantage. focus lock is an amazing asset to have in any camera. small window in back allows you to see exactly which film you have inside (in case you forget). DOF is clear. instruction manual is very straightforward (but you won't really need it because the camera is even more straightforward). a viewfinder cover is provided so unwanted light doesn't enter thru the back while taking photos on a tripod or with self-timer. oh, and the cover fits into the strap pocket. rubber gripping throughout front of body as well as around knobs for better feel. flash works fine with a 28mm lens. other cameras that i compared this one to either didn't have all the functions, were too complicated (small buttons and too much LCD toggling), were too expensive, didn't have the durability of this camera which has metal lens and tripod mounts, felt weak, or were too bulky and heavy. this is one amazing camera! the ONLY complaint i have with the ZX-5n is that when in manual or shutter priority modes, the shutter speed cannot be set longer than 2 seconds unless you go to bulb mode, which in that case you have to hold down the button for as long as you want the shutter open. so how do you take a picture of yourself in the dark and get the background into the picture as well? if anyone has the answer to this question, please post it and tell me! i guess i could therefore also complain that this camera doesn't have multi-exposure, which would have been one method of shooting in such a situation. but the vast pluses greatly outweight the cons of this camera. and it is a much better option than its competition. i researched for 3 weeks constantly before finalizing my decision. and one last thing. this camera looks so awesome! it's got all the modern features yet looks like something your father would have used in his days. it's an instant classic!

Customer Service

never needed.

Similar Products Used:

nikon fm2
olympus XA rangefinder
rollicord with rolliflex

Lightweight

Intuitive controls

Fast autofocus in most lighting conditions

Slow sync flash on both RTF and hot shoe

Multiple metering modes invaluable.

Metal lens bayonet mount.

Small size

No spot beam for AF system, renders it useless in the dark.

Pentax numbering system confusing (why is the ZX-5n better than a ZX-7?)

This was the first SLR I actually purchased for myself. As a student, I got by by borrowing a friend's ME Super, and another friend's SA-300 (I was broke!) I inherited an Olympus OM series camera this year, but was dissatisfied with the control of it. I then went in search of a better SLR. I considered the Nikon N90s (too expensive for me), the original N90 (lost the auctions, doh!), Canon EOS Elan IIe ('electrical problems' scared me off), Canon EOS Rebel 2000 (it got mixed reviews), Pentax ZX-50 (considered 'cheap' by many pros and advanced amateurs), and the Sigma SA-5 (good luck finding one on auction!). So after much research, I acquired a Pentax ZX-5n, after reading many fine reviews here on it. I took it out for an assignment for New Years Eve at a nightclub event. When the lights cooperated, the AF was dead on, when they didn't I went to manual, and tried my best in the darkness when I needed a sharp shot (my style tends to convey motion, so sharpness is not super-critical sometimes) of people. Other than that, I have no beef with the ZX-5n. As I learned on a K-1000 and an ME-Super, I love the back-to-basics controls coupled with automation for when you need it (Apeture preferred, shutter preferred, full-auto). I don't trust the gimmicky 'sports mode/night mode/whatever mode' that other Pentaxes and other SLRs have. I was taught how to get those effects manually anyway. I've teamed it with a Sigma 28-80 zoom, and I must say I'm quite happy with it. I plan on remedying the AF problem by acquiring either a Sigma EF-430ST flash, a Vivitar 845 flash, or a Pentax 330 flash. These all have AF-spot beams and with the exception of the 330, can all be had for under 150 dollars at B & H's website or store in New York. In addition, PC cord adapters, motor drives, and battery packs can be purchased seperately if you wish to add more 'professional' features to this.

For an aspiring pro like myself, this fits the bill nicely. I doubt I'll get another 35mm SLR after this one. Next step is medium format, or pro-level digital (Nikon D1, Kodak DCS 660, etc...anyone wanna donate money for this daunting purchase?)

Bottom line, get this body. Makes a wonderful unit if you're on a budget like me and don't require the 'modes'.
As for my little comment about Pentax's numbering system, it would make more sense if the higher the number, the more 'advanced' the camera. Pentax considers the ZX-5n an entry level pro/higher level amateur camera...but the ZX-7 and so forth are all consumer based units...a little confusing if you're not familiar with Pentax.

Customer Service

Never tried.

Similar Products Used:

K-1000, ME Super
Sigma SA-300, Olympus OM series.

I have two of these cameras. I bought the first one over a year and a half ago. I have been so pleased with the handling and performance of this camera that I purchased a 2nd 6 months latter.It handles like a traditional slr from years past with dials instead of all the electronic bells and whistles that most cameras in this category have. Those of us with a bit of purist in our blood will appreciate the performance of this camera when using it in manual exposure mode, assuming you are familiar with the opperation of most older style manual or semi auto metered cameras. You will then appreciate not having to pull out the owners manual to figure out all the buttons you have to push or hold down to just take a lightmeter reading.This camera has great features to satisfy a beginner or a person who is extreamly experienced.Depth of field preview button,centerweight,spot,or multisegment metering.Electonic focus with older manual focus bayonet pentax lenses,try that with some of the other brands and there older lenses.Great camera to step up to if you own an older bayonet model and don't want to trash your lenses.The light meter will still work in the manual or aperture prefered mode,absolutely amazing when you think about how truly versatile this camera is. It has a AA batt grip that makes the camera more economical on batteries but also adds a great feel to it. Keep in mind for a true beginner this camera can be set up virtually as an instamatic, but as you grow you can take the camera off of the auto settings that you find no longer necessary.My feeling is Pentax has taken key electronic features that an advanced photograher will benifit from , such as program TTL flash, three metering modes, auto exposure override, exposure bracketing,spot autofocus, it even has setting for panoramic photos.Finally you don't need a PHD in electronics or computers to figure out how to use this camera.It is well built excelent handling and holds up to a lot use. Try it with the AA grip it has a real solid feel and last but not least this camera takes great photos.

Could have used a 1/250 flash sync

Nicest camera its Price range. I can't say enough good thins about it I have been extemely satisfied, so much I bought 2.

Customer Service

Have not yet needed Service

Similar Products Used:

Canon Elan2
Nikon N70
NIkon N60
Nikon N600
Canon Rebel