OME cameras promise a shake reduction (SR) feature but the Pentax K100D really delivers. This is crucial when you’re using a zoom lens or taking pictures indoors or in low light. It’s also a good thing that the SR mechanism is activated only when you press the shutter release, so it’s light on battery consumption. This entry-level digital SLR digital camera comes with 6.1 megapixels, which is fine for making prints up to 8x10 size.
The rear-mounted LCD monitor is a big bright 2.5 inches. Shooting information is shown on a top-mounted LCD status display as well as in the viewfinder. Choosing your settings in the menu is very easy.
Some companies are now in the habit of selling you their items and refraining from including any type of printed operating manual. They force you to download instructions from their website. That means you pay more for the item as you print out the instructions, using up paper and ink, which are costly.
I give Pentax credit for bucking the trend. What I really like about Pentax is that their product comes with a user’s manual, a booklet that I find infinitely useful. And for that I am truly grateful.
There is even a second booklet covering the software, the Pentax Photo Browser 3 for viewing, printing and managing your pictures, and the Pentax Photo Laboratory 3 for use with photos recorded in RAW format.
Furthermore the instruction booklets are written in understandable English. Another foreign manufacturer sent a camera with a manual which, although composed in English, was hard to follow. It was not grammar that I learned in school. It was grammar of a person who just got off the boat.
With an 18-55MM lens, the K100D is flying off the shelf for less than $600 (you may find it at $550). More information at www.pentaximaging.com.