Pentax IQ Zoom/Espio 140M Point and Shoot

Pentax IQ Zoom/Espio 140M Point and Shoot 

DESCRIPTION

The IQZoom 140M is about as compact as a 35mm camera can be -- it's not much taller than the film roll itself. Despite its remarkably small size, it offers a powerful 38mm-140mm zoom that makes your pictures bigger, closer and more detailed.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 13  
[Apr 15, 2003]
rolandtan
Intermediate

Strength:

All the wonderful features you can ask for from a compact camera.

Weakness:

LCD display panel problem. Expensive repair cost and can't seem to retain its quality after a repair.

I've the older model since 1998. Took great pictures initially. Photos were sharp and exposure both flash and outdoor were great until I've to send it for repair of the LCD display panel which'd failed me. After the repair, it's no longer the same. My two vacation photos have been ruined. Photos are no longer sharp and tend to over expose. Now, LCD display is showing sign that it would fail again!

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Aug 20, 2000]
ROB KLEIN
Casual

Strength:

High quality
many usefull features
compact
comfortable

Weakness:

small viewfinder
missing nonflash setting.

This small camera has many plusses: from 140mm zoom,spot metering,bulb ezposure, panorama composition, and even date, all which may be useful in many situations. In use I found the camera to do the job in just about every setting. With some of the features, such as bulb, one can become more of a photographer than some point & shoot cameras. However, I found one major flaw with this model which was very important to me, which caused me to return it. While attending a concert, I turned the flash off so as not to blind the artist. There was enough lighting as not to use the flash, because I was right up front. But with this model, to turn off the flash, it automatically set the shutter speed at a very, very slow speed. All the pictures were ruined. Had I realised that it would set the speed that slow, I may have used a tripod. But even then it may take blurred pictures. I could not find a non-flash mode on this model that would keep the shutter speed fast enough to avoid this problem. Everything else worked fine. I have alot of respect for Pentax, they just need to add that one important feature. Since this missing feature can cause bad pictures during certain critical moments, I have to down my ratings. Sorry Pentax.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jun 14, 2000]
Chad
Casual
Model Reviewed: IQ Zoom/Espio 140M

Strength:

small, light, great zoom, good photos, good battery life, durable

Weakness:

no case... that's all-- if it were up to me I'd want it waterproof

I wanted the best, most versatile, point and shoot 35 mm camera available: I got it. I haven't seen a bad photo from this camera. I take it on mountain bike rides and it has proved to be very durable. I'm not a serious photography so I don't know some of the more technical aspects of the quality of the photos, but I have all sorts of shots and the photos look great. Have fun!

Customer Service

not used so I don't know

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 12, 2000]
Allen Holeck
Intermediate
Model Reviewed: IQ Zoom/Espio 140M

Strength:

SIZE! Small enough to forget you have it in your pocket. Easy to operate.

Weakness:

Lens is slow at 140. You'll want to use ASA 200 or higher.

I use a Nikon F100 when I am persuing photography. I wanted a small camera to keep with me always. It stays in my briefcase or pocket. Now I never miss those picture opportunites. Takes great slide pictures. Seldom gives me a bad exposure. The built in flash works well. In the old days if you had a 35mm, 50mm, and 135mm lens you had it all. The zoom range is terrific.

Customer Service

No problems

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 09, 2000]
DENNIS MELLO
Intermediate

Strength:

VERY SHARP AND CLEAR PHOTOS. CONTROLS ARE VERY COVENIENTLY PLACED. MANY FEATURES BUT VERY EASY TO USE.FITS VERY NICELY IN YOUR HAND.

Weakness:

NONE

THIS CAMERA IS GREAT. WELL BUILT AND PRECISION QUALITY THROUGHOUT. HAS A GREAT 38-140 ZOOM LENS. PICTURES ARE SHARP AND CLEAR THROUGHOUT THE ZOOM RANGE. WITH THE ZOOM MACRO YOU CAN GET VERY GOOD CLOSEUPS. VERY SMOOTH OPERATION WITH "ALL" CONTROLS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED. I HAVE TRIED MANY DIFFERENT COMPACT ZOOM CAMERAS IN MY SEARCH FOR TH RIGHT ONE AND BY FAR THIS IS THE VERY BEST. THE PICTURES ARE CONSISTENTLY FOCUSED,SHARP,AND EXPOSURE CORRECT. I'VE HAD 6 ROLLS DEVELOPED SO FAR AND I WOULD SAY THAT ONLY 2 PICTURES WERE QUESTIONABLE AS FAR AS EXPOSURE QUALITY(THESE WERE VERY EXTREME CONDITIONS).THIS CAMERA ALSO TAKES GREAT FLASH PICTURES. FLASH IS CONSISTENT WITH ITS COVERAGE WITH NO DARK EDGES ON PICTURES. I'VE TAKEN PICTURES IN EXTREME CONDITIONS WITH AND WITHOUT THE FLASH WITH THIS CAMERA PULLING THROUGH 99.9% OF THE TIME. BUY THIS CAMERA--YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY!!!!

Customer Service

I ORDERED AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL WITH GREAT RESULTS.

Similar Products Used:

OLYMPUS STYLUS, MINOLTA FREEDOM TELE

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 09, 2000]
Laurel Stine
Casual

Strength:

None

Weakness:

Worse camera I have ever bought. Have had it a year now and have yet to develop and entire film. Blured pics are pretty common now matter what I have done.

Would never recommend this camera. Even returned it once because we actually thought there was something wrong with it. But the second one was the same.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Nov 22, 2000]
Bob O.
Intermediate

Strength:

Size, diopter adjustment and zoom capability.

Weakness:

Red eye (even with red-eye reduction), view finder is too small, camera body scratches easily. Viewfinder off. Photo quality is a little dark with flash.

I can't recommend this camera. What you see in the viewfinder is not what you'll get in print. Using a tripod, the camera shoots high (about 20%). The red-eye is terrible! The double-flash solution is more annoying than useful for subjects - and doens't work well.
The function of the camera is good however. Easy to use and all the niceties you'd like to have at this price.

Customer Service

Didn't use

Similar Products Used:

Olympis Epic 80, Pentax IQ 160

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jan 20, 2001]
Jean Trester
Intermediate

Strength:

Takes very good pictures. I like to have a camera along at all times when we so somplace. There are times I do not want to take my Nikon 8008's along because of where we will be parking or cold weather. Sometimes I have taken both along and taken pictures of the same thing at the same time and I have gotten better pictures with the Pentax than the Nikon.

Weakness:

The flash quit working this spring. With the cost of bench service and parts I decided not to fix it but to replace it with a Nikon Lite-Touch Zoom 120ED/QD. I will continue to use it as is for outside shots as it does take excellent pictures.

Was generally pleased and had no complaints or problems until the flash quit. I am a Nikon fan and decided to go that route because of theED lense and smaller size. I would not have a problem with buying another Pentax in the future as this one took many, many pictures on vacations and of the grandchildren.

Customer Service

Never used. Decided to not to spend anything to have the flash repaired as I was told bench charge was $65.00 an hour and possible $100.00 for parts. I didn't pay that much more for the Nikon Lite-touch.

Similar Products Used:

I use my Nikon 8008's with the SB24 flash, Canon AE-1,

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 25, 2001]
Nancy Burns
Intermediate

Strength:

compact size

Weakness:

lousy exposure control on zoom

I have just gotten back my third set of ruined vacation photographs from this camera. When the lens is zoomed most of the images are blurred and overexposed, even though we use 400 speed film and hold as still as humanly possible. We have had the camera checked twice by Pentax, and they claim it is not defective. I spoke with a Pentax rep whose explanation was that I should understand that with a 140 mm point and shoot I need to use a tripod and 800 speed film! Are you kidding? I own a Pentax SLR SuperProgram and a variety of lenses. The specific reason that I, and most people, select this camera is that it fits in your pocket. And who recommends 800 speed film for general purpose use? Pentax should not market a camera for travel and general use which actually requires expert handling to perform properly.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Jul 07, 2001]
Ross
Intermediate

Strength:

Very easy to use.Great zoom lens lets you get the picture you want without moving much.Nice results with limited photographic experience.

Weakness:

The film door is very awkward to open

I noticed some negative reviews here.I have found this camera great and fully recommend it.Maybe they made a few duds?

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 1-10 of 13  

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