| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: December, 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Posts: 1,851 | | Review Date: July 29, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Image quality, red dot in VF during focusing | | Cons: | Only 3200 ISO | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: Used
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Bought used in case the K100D died.
Almost identical to the K100D, same build, image quality and interface
AF tends to be slow, and ISO over 800 is very noisy.
However the CCD sensor produces images which are just lovely, and they have a quality that is hard to beat.
| | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: November, 2007 Location: Gwynedd, Wales Posts: 89
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 25, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $85.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | The sensor. It seems to produce performance and lovely colours that belie its lowly 6mp. | | Cons: | Pentamirror. No green button. | | Years Owned: 10
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 8
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: Used
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I really liked this camera. (I had a K100D as my first digital , originally bought this because my K100D had gotten flaky after getting wet)
I normally used it with a 17-70 SDM as a walkaround, although both camera and lens have been replaced now. Nevertheless it's obtainable really cheap, and coupled with a half decent lens I'd still recommend it is a starter DSLR for those on a tight budget. Spend a third of your money on the body (and maybe get an 18-55 thrown in), and two-thirds on a better lens.
OK. life has moved on, and there are considerably higher spec cameras available for not too much more, but this little gem has a lot to offer someone moving up from a camera phone or a point -and-shoot, not least the availability of the auto pict and SCN modes to help the relative beginner.
I always shot raw with it, and used Lightroom for post processing. I still carry it as a backup sometimes. I took one of the best low ambient light pictures I've ever taken with it, although the camera and luck are probably equally responsible.
It does too have AF assist via it's inbuilt flash, although not everyone likes the strobe effect.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2008 Location: Cashel Ireland Posts: 28
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 4, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Great for every day and for travelling | | Cons: | Limited manual options | | Years Owned: 3
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 9
Features: 7
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 6
New or Used: Used
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Just a note on batteries , it seems to run for ever on eneloops. I use two eneloops and two regular 2500mah AAs.,
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: December, 2014 Location: Riga Posts: 47
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 12, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Perfect color rendition, refined in-camera JPEG, decent low light performance (for its age), takes AA batteries, simple to use, light and small, SR | | Cons: | Lacks second dial and has smallish viewfinder, small buffer and slow write speed | | Years Owned: 4
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: Used
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This is my first DSLR and my first Pentax camera. I bought it in 2011 and I still like it very much despite having K-5 for 2 years (sold it) and K-3.
Compared to modern cameras, K100D looks a bit limited, but it's not true. It has everything you need to get wonderful images in small, light and cheap package. This camera constantly gives stunning images which require little to no post-processing. It's very consistent (metering, AF, color etc), and with little practice you will always know what to expect- this makes shooting with K100D a real pleasure. It is last of 6MPix CCD-equipped cameras and Pentax engineers really squeezed everything of the sensor. Camera has very weak AA filter (sometimes it looks completely AA-less), so you get color moire here and there, but images are unbelievable sharp and detailed.
Camera is powered by four AA batteries and with a set of good rechargeables (Eneloops) it easily makes about 700-800 exposures per one charge. AA rechargeables are cheap and widely available, so you will not run out of gas.
AF performance is generally good. It is not that fast, but rarely misses with 2.8 or slower lenses. Also, K100D Super is able to focus SDM-only lenses (K100D is not), so you can put any HSM Sigma or any new Pentax lens (say, 16-85) with no limitations. It has no AF ajustment like newer cameras, but one can ajust AF via engineering menu. Mine camera required ajustment of +110 and now focuses good with all my lenses, with no FF/BF problems.
In good light K100D can produce as good images as every other camera in the market now (or even better than most cameras) and has some low-light ability (almost no limitations if you have external flash). If you are looking for your first DSLR and you can find one- get it! If you have modern Pentax camera and want different experience- get it! If you need cheap backup/spare/AA-powered camera for travel- get it! If you neeed cheap camera to give to your kid- get it, too.
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 824
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 8, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Features, performance, CCD sensor, easy to use | | Cons: | Absolutely none, given its vintage and price point | | Years Owned: 5
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: Used
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I bought this in 2009 as a refurbished unit that appeared new and had an almost zero shutter count when it arrived, and I still own it. To this day, it still takes absolutely wonderful pictures, and I still enjoy it a lot. I chose the "Super" version to be able to use SDM lenses and this camera, paired with my DA 17-70, has produced many fine photos. I have not had the battery issue noted in another review here. I use rechargeable Eneloops and they seem to last a very long time - my guess is 400-500 shots, or so without much flash use. Most of the other excellent reviews pretty much reflect my positive experiences, so I'll not repeat those points. The 6 MP CCD sensor provides enough great detail and color in good light situations that this camera still meets my needs 90% of the time. A very recommendable vintage 6 MP camera.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,275
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 21, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Great image quality, great color rendering, build quality, ergonomics, size | | Cons: | Only 6MP, high ISO performance not as good as newer DSLRs | | Years Owned: 3
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 10
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 6
New or Used: New
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I owned this camera a few years ago and have since moved on to the K-x bodies for better high ISO performance and more resolution. That said, I've gotten some of my best photos with the K100D. For the price they go for on the used market these days (around $100) they're positively a steal.
The main reason I'm posting this mini-review is to address the battery issue complaint from another reviewer. Mine had no such issue. I used a good charger and Energizer batteries and got several hundred shots to a charge. I suspect that the other reviewer's batteries were at fault, or they just had a faulty camera. You can't offer an accurate review of a camera based on bad batteries or a faulty sample.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2014 Location: At the pimple of bum of life Posts: 264
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 17, 2014 | Not Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 2 |
| Pros: | Takes all Pentax lens from my film days | | Cons: | Junk | | Years Owned: 6
Ergonomics: 6
Build Quality: 7
User Interface: 7
Autofocus: 5
Features: 5
Value: 2
Image Quality: 7
Noise: 7
New or Used: New
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Hi go this camera new to add from my Pentax film SLRs eats batteries like no tomorrow all I could afford as I had top of the line Pentax SLR ( Z1 great camera)
Used it for 6 months & gave up & went back to film while I could get it
| | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2013 Posts: 11
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 1, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | AA batteries, Not very Heavy, Ergonomic button layout | | Cons: | Crippled k mount (all DSLR), ISO perfomance | |
Great camera for those starting out. This is my camera I have used for 3 years now before that i used a Pentax Super A. This camera has been dropped, rained on and accidentally left out in the snow has survived all even though it has no weather resistance stated. Auto focus can sometimes get lost when focusing in the dark or close up with the kit lens. The buttons are all placed ergonomically and all give a nice firm resistance and have yet to not work when pressed. Even when I get a new camera (hopefully K3) I will still hang on to this body as its performance is still excellent despite the number of mega-pixels. WARNING do not use at high ISO unless absolutely necessary its performance drops rapidly from ISO 800.
Great Camera for anyone starting out in DSLR photography  | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2011 Location: California Posts: 369
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 20, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Contrast, Weight, Small, Compact, Fit's All K Mount Lens | | Cons: | Battery Grip | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 5
New or Used: New
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Had this camera for 2 years, but it is now being used as my backup camera since I recently upgraded to the K10D. I learned so much from this beginner camera, and so can you to! Very light and very compact compared to most entry level DSLR's on the market nowadays, the megapixel's are low, but you don't need a lot of pixels if you are a beginner slowly getting into photography. Overall great camera, loved it, wish they would make a better APS-C upgraded one in the future.  | | | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2009 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 242
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 13, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size; Takes AA's; Great IQ w/6mp sensor; SR; Price to performance ratio | | Cons: | No AF assist light; Won't amaze you with high ISO quality; Not the quickest/responsive (buffer) | | Years Owned: 3
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 7
Autofocus: 7
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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This camera was simply Super. Small, yet so much more full featured than any other system's cameras at an entry level. Before purchasing this camera, I was using a Toshiba PDR-3200 point and shoot! yikes! I had no brand loyalty at all, or preference one way or the other. I did a ton of research, on all the models and brands of SLR's out there. I kept coming back to the Pentax for its great image quality, shake resistance, ergonomics, great feature set, larger viewfinder than other entry DSLRs, backwards compatibility with all the old K lenses, need I go on?
Looking back, now that i've moved to the K7, I still admire the quality of the photos this camera took. This camera never let me down, and I sorely missed it when I had to sell it for financial reasons to fund the K7. 4 years later using Pentax, and I have a very deep loyalty to the brand. Pentax cameras just seem 'right' to me. The build quality, value, and ergonomics are great.
| | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2011 Location: Washtenaw Co., MI Posts: 19
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 26, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Backward compatibility with older Pentax glass | | Cons: | No AF (this particular one) | | Years Owned: several months
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 7
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I bought my second-hand K100D Super online from Adorama. They were selling it as is, with a non-functioning AF, which to me was a non-issue because I was planning to use MF lenses from my K1000.
The Super arrived in the mail less than a week later. I unpacked the camera from the bubble wrap and was delighted to find a brand-new, Pentax-monogrammed camera strap enclosed as well. (One less accessory to shop for; thanks, Adorama!) The Super’s rounded contours and balance felt comfortable in my hand, very different from the K1000’s familiar boxy mass. All the controls are logically arranged and easily reached.
I put in Energizer Lithium batteries, cranked on a 28-80 Albinar-A, and started shooting with the same habitual grip/frame-and-focus motions acquired from decades spent with the K1000 (Ah, perfection, thy name is Pentax….). Swapping to my M primes (Pentax 50mm f2 and 135mm f3.5), then to the 80-205 Albinar-M, I shot the gamut of what subjects I could find around the house. Set the AE with a thumb-press, press the shutter button—everything I needed to work, worked.
Great IQ with crisp, sharp detail and bokeh. You cannot go wrong with a K100D Super for amateur photographer/hobbyist purposes—even “broken” ones. | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2010 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 1 | | Review Date: June 18, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | User friendly controls and runs on AA batteries | | Cons: | My first dslr so I currently do not have any cons | | Years Owned: 1
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I have only had this camera for a little over a year. Prior to this camera I took photos with point & shoot cameras and a Minolta film camera. This camera is like the energizer bunny of cameras, or at least in my short experience with cameras. The controls are well placed and easy to use and I really like the fact that this camera runs on AA batteries. More than once I have been to an event to take pictures where someone's battery goes dead, they do not have a spare and cannot run to the local quickstop to get extra batteries. I thnk this is a great camera for a first time dslr user.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2011 Location: Minahasa, North Celebes (Sulawesi) Posts: 586
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 26, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | It's a Pentax, for God's Sake, get your hands on it! | | Cons: | Probably many, but the pros are making them unmentionable | |
| Pros | It's a Pentax, for God's Sake, get your hands on it! | | Cons | Probably many, but the pros are making them unmentionable | | Rating | 10 | | Price (U.S. Dollars) | 300 | | Years Owned | 3 Months |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
This camera overrun easily Nikon D40, Canon 1000D, and Sony Alpha 230 in terms of image and build quality. Nothing even comes close.
This camera's ability to tackle low light and better overall image tone is still admired by those who even uses newer Pentax bodies.
This camera, although not labeled 'weather resistant', can withstand rough conditions. It will not give up on you easily.
This camera, like many Pentax's, once in your hands will feel like a real photographic tool, not a piece of plastic.
This camera, paired with a correct glass and a 'good eye', will make you perform magic easily, photographically speaking.
This camera will not make you regret every penny you spent on it. It's worth much more than its price.
Camera Review
Many things had been said, but many things this camera is, and even more. This is not really a 'review' with many technical details. This is a more like romantic story of me and my Pentax K100DS. It goes like this:
I was stepping up from the the 'super zoom' digital camera a few months back. Being a student, I only had a few a bucks to spend on a hobby like this, so I went looking for an entry-level DSLR. I have not a single idea that this search will take quite a long way. I went from Canon 1000D, to Sony Alpha 230, and then tried Nikon D40. Non of them stayed more than a week in my possession, they always went back to the local pawnshop, where I got them from. Those are fine cameras, budget-wise, too. But, something is missing.. I'm always stuck with a camera and a kit lens and a not so heart-warming output pictures. I went looking for lenses, a more sophisticated lens rather than just a kit lens. Went though many camera stores to numbers of on-line markets. No luck, either nothing suits my pocket, or nothing really amazes my senses in terms of IQ. I almost going to give up at the time I began to notice these 'odd' lenses lying in every corner I went. I've known Pentax before, It was like a thing from an old, black and white movies for me. Then I found out that modern Pentax DSLR bodies really can accept those piece of glass from the old days, in no hassle! Long story it is, a long search indeed, but here I am, holding a K100DS with a (few.. and still counting ha ha) great glass, a combination that had put many of my friends (and their expensive gears) to shame..
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2009 Location: Łódź, Poland and Riverside, California, U.S.A Posts: 488
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 10, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Excellent IQ, compact, lightweight, shake reduction, SDM contacts
| | Cons: | Not weather sealed, small memory buffer
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| Pros | Excellent IQ, compact, lightweight, shake reduction, SDM contacts | | Cons | Not weather sealed, small memory buffer | | Rating | 9 | | Price | about $220 USD | | Years Owned | 3 months |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
Excellent bang for the buck!
Excellent resolution from a 6.1 MP camera that will give some higher pixel count camera's a run for the money!
SR in the K100 series
SDM compatible
Focus point indicators
AA batteries
Small/compact size
Rather light weight
Rather quick focusing (on par with my fiance's Nikon D3000, kit lenses compared)
RAW file write speed a little slow, helps to have fastest SDHC card possible (Extreme III in my case)
Camera Review
I bought this camera as a replacement for my Samsung Gx- 20 (Pentax K20D clone) which was stolen on a vacation. I was kinda skeptical about the lower pixel count and with my budget I really couldn't afford much else  . When my K100D Super arrived, I was really shocked at the IQ that this little camera could achieve with a 6.1 MP sensor!
It had me pulling up my Gx-20 pictures and pixel peeping! I have to say that especially when shooting in RAW the K100D Super rivals my fiance's Nikon D3000 with a 10 MP sensor in terms of IQ.
I like having AA batteries as a power source because they are readily available at almost any shop and I like not being stuck with proprietary batteries. The down side to this is that the AA batteries add to weight and are a little bulkier then a proprietary battery.
The overall size of the K100D Super makes it a rather compact camera, much much smaller and lighter than my Gx-20. That in turn makes it much easier to carry all day long, especially if equipped with a DA limited or FA limited lenses.
ISO performance is good and I would have to say that it is a little better than my Gx-20 especially at the 800-1600 ISO range. It's base ISO is only 200. Before the K-x The K100D Super was the high ISO camera for Pentax.
Auto WB is blah at best. WB should be sent manually as the camera gets confused easily in changing light situations and in situations where incandescent lights and fluorescent lights are used.
The memory buffer is rather small limiting the amount of continuous RAW shots to 3 shots. If you have a fast writing SD card such as the SanDisk Extreme III with a 20mb/s read/write time or the newer 30 mb/s versions then it shouldn't be too big of a problem. I would not recommend the use of SD or SDHC cards slower than 20mb/s read/write speeds as the memory buffer's performance will hinder the rate at which photos can be taken. This is my only one real complaint about the camera.
I miss having the weather sealing of the Gx-20. Though, I have taken my K100D Super into light mist and it did fine. Though without the sealing I'm rather hesitant to push my luck.
In conclusion, I really have to recommend the K100D Super to anyone on the market for a great first time camera, back-up camera, even as a replacement camera (in my case) to pick up the K100D Super. It's a fantastic little camera with a compact size, shake reduction, readily available power source (AA batteries), SDM compatibility, and excellent IQ to boot! It's not a perfect camera though as it does have a small memory buffer that can hinder it's performance. It's of course much more noticeable when slower SD/SDHC cards are used. Stick to the faster memory cards to mitigate the problem .
I have no regrets picking this camera up and in fact I sure am glad I did
A rather excellent all around camera!
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 755
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 26, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
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The little camera that could! The K100D Super is the last camera ever produced with the old, reliable 6MP sensor shared by every camera in the *istDx and K1xx lines, and as such the most featureful. It shares SDM support, shake and dust reduction features with its more modern cousins. The sensor is old but works very well. JPEG processing in the K1xx series has been decidedly improved compared to the old *istD series, which brings out the sensor's strengths even more. Users of higher resolution APS-C cameras may be surprised at just how clean the images are up to ISO 800.
The K100D Super is compact for a DSLR, yet pretty sturdy. It fits well in the hand. The control scheme is well designed and feels logical (FAR better than Canon here!) though it does not have as many dedicated buttons and dials as the higher-end K10D/K20D/K-7 cameras.
The K100D's true sensitivity range is ISO 200-1600. There is a 3200 setting, but it is actually 1600 pushed a stop in firmware and dramatically worse than 1600. If you need 3200, it is much better to shoot RAW 1600 with -1 EV comp and push it in post-processing. At ISO 200 and 400 the picture is essentially noise-free. ISO 800 is immensely usable for almost all purposes, and 1600 is better than on Pentax 10MP bodies.
At the end of the day, the K100D Super measures up to, and in many respects beats, any other entry level to mid range 6 MP DSLR body. In 2009 it is still a good buy for the beginner or frugal enthusiast as it can be had for as little as $250-350 with lens, and compared to the stalwart of 6 MP cameras, the Nikon D40, it is easily the better camera by virtue of its lens compatibility, the shake reduction, 11 AF points, and more. Its main weaknesses compared to the competition is poor auto white balance and lack of an AF assist light. Either way, the K100D Super is a fun, hard-working camera with great image quality.
Pros:
+ Cheap and cheerful
+ Fun to use
+ Lens compatibility
+ Generous amount of AF points
+ Great image quality up to ISO 800
+ Sturdy build, handles well
+ Shake reduction
+ AA batteries -- good battery life with Eneloops, can use Alkalines in a pinch
Cons:
- No AF assist light
- Auto WB indoors is downright terrible -- always set manual WB if shooting JPEG
- "ISO 3200" largely unusable
- AF performance sometimes questionable; rarely a show-stopper
- Smallish viewfinder (still good compared to the competition)
- Crippled K-mount (all Pentax DSLRs share this weakness)
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