Pentax K100D Super

K100D Super
Year introduced 2007	Mount Crippled KAF2	Meter range 1 - 21.5 EV	Meter pattern m c s
ISO range 200 - 3200	Expanded dynamic range No	Exposure modes AutoPict., P, Av, Tv, M, B	Exposure compensation +/-2 EV
Exposure lock Yes	Shutter speeds (auto) 30 - 1/4000s	Shutter speeds (manual) 30 - 1/4000s	Self timer Yes
Mirror lock-up Yes	Continuos shooting 2.8 fps up to 5 images		Auto bracketing Yes
Multiple exposures No	Built-in flash Yes, GN 15.6 (ISO 200)	TTL flash No	P-TTL flash Yes
Sync speed 1/180s	Flash exposure comp -2 - 1 EV	Autofocus Yes (11 points)	Autofocus sensitivity 0 - 19 EV
Autofocus with SDM Yes	Front/Back focus corr No	Power zoom unknown	Viewfinder 0.85x, 96%
Viewfinder type Pentamirror	Diopter adjustment Yes	Exchangeable screen No	Depth of field preview Yes
Digital preview Yes	Live view No	Movie No	Camera controls 1 control wheel. Most functions accessed though menus
Shake reduction Yes	Dust removal / alert No / No	Pixel mapping No	Image size 16 x 24 mm
Sensor 6.1 MP CCD	File format PEF, JPG	Memory card type SD, SDHC	Back LCD 2.5 in. 210,000 pix
Battery 4 x AA	Battery grip No	Size (W x H x D) 129.5 X 92.5 X 70 mm	Weight 560 g
Comment Program modes: Normal, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night-scene portrait. 8 scene modes. Extra flash functions: Wireless, High-speed, Contrast control. Exposure modes with M and K lenses restricted to Av (with aperture always wide open) and M

[Geronimo]

A great one-page overview, Ole! This model does have 'Dust Removal' though. And, while people with even a little more experience than I may use the term 'PEF', the K100D S manual uses the term 'RAW' in the File Format spec box - if that's worth mentioning.
Cheers, Dave.

[Erik]

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)

[amicah22]

If you can deal with the slower operation this camera has pixel level iq that rivals the k20d. I like the files that come from this camera better than the k10d, especially in jpeg.

[ismaelg]

Not much more to add. This has proven to be a GREAT DSLR. I have made excellent prints up to 20x30 straight from the SD card in JPG.

Just a note: The database info shows NO dust removal but it DOES have the feature, which I find effective.

Thanks,

[Old Film Guy]

I'm trying to acquire a macro lens. I know of two currently available: 50mm 2.8 A series; 50mm 4.0 M series. Will either or both "work" on my K100 Super? It would be nice if I could use the camera's metering system, but manual focuse is just fine.

I'm having a devil of a time trying to keep straight all the variety of Pentax lenses.

Is there a resource I could use?

Thanks for any information.

[ismaelg]

Originally Posted by Old Film Guy

I'm trying to acquire a macro lens. I know of two currently available: 50mm 2.8 A series; 50mm 4.0 M series. Will either or both "work" on my K100 Super? It would be nice if I could use the camera's metering system, but manual focuse is just fine.

I'm having a devil of a time trying to keep straight all the variety of Pentax lenses.

Is there a resource I could use?

Thanks for any information.

Both lenses will work. The benefit of an A series lens is aperture automation (You set it in the A position in the aperture ring and have the aperture selected in the camera for Av mode etc). If you use an A lens manually (setting the aparture in the lens) you will essentially converting it to an M lens.
Here is one of several links showing how to use older lenses in DSLRs. There are some variations of methods but this should give you a good starting point.

K100D (Super) Pictorial guide to using manual lenses [imgs]: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Thanks,