Originally Posted by innershell
However, I realize now why I have issues with the softness of my images. Before a dSLR, I've owned several P&S cameras and upon reviewing my older pictures, they happen to be serveral orders sharper than images my dSLR produces today. But the quality of my dSLR picture is on par with others I have seen to date.
Glad you've concluded that your camera and lens are Ok.
P&S cameras, and indeed some dSLRs, apply artificially intense sharpening to the JPEGs they produce to get that 'ultra-sharp' looking effect.
But it's not real - there isn't more actual detail recorded to get that look, and of course there can't be - the lenses and sensors in P&S cameras are tiny.
You can achieve the same thing on the computer - it's just that Pentax dSLRs default to a more neutral look that gives more control to the photographer.
I actually like this, since my default is to want a photograph to look as sharp as you'd see it - not beefed up with artificially contrast-boosted edges. But when there's some reason for wanting a sharper look, I like to have complete control over it.