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Pentax K10D

Ergonomics 
 9.3
Build Quality 
 9.7
User Interface 
 8.7
Autofocus 
 7.8
Features 
 8.6
Value 
 9.5
Image Quality 
 9.3
Noise 
 8.0
Reviews Views Date of last review
62 218,564 Sat May 7, 2022
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
98% of reviewers $612.15 9.02
Pentax K10D

Pentax K10D
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Pentax K10D
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Pentax K10D
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Pentax K10D
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Pentax K10D
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Pentax K10D
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Description:

The Pentax K10D was the first DSLR from Pentax to feature a sensor with a resolution higher than 6 megapixels.  It also launched a host of new innovative features which would later become standard on all Pentax bodies, such as Shake Reduction and Dust Removal.

It won the Camera Grand Prix Japan "Camera of the Year" award in 2007, and a special brown version with gold lettering was produced to commemorate this.

Camera Manuals:


Pentax K10D
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Year Introduced
2006
In Production
No (Discontinued 2008)
Current US Price
N/A
In-Depth Review
N/A
Sensor
Sensor Format
APS-C
Sensor Type
CCD
Megapixels
10.2
Resolution
2592 x 3872 pixels
AA Filter
Yes
Super Resolution
No
Bit Depth
12
Minimum ISO
100
Maximum ISO
1600
ISO Range
100 - 1600
Imaging
Exposure Modes
Green, HyP, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, HyM, X, B
Program Modes
Normal, Action, Depth of Field, MTF
Maximum FPS
3
Continuous Shooting
3 fps until card is full (JPG), 9 frames (RAW)
Shutter Speeds (Auto)
30s - 1/4000s (stepless)
Shutter Speeds (Manual)
B, 30s - 1/4000s
Shutter Life
Exposure compensation
+/-3 EV
Auto bracketing
Exposure (3 or 5 frames)
Expanded dynamic range
No
Exposure lock
Yes
Self timer
2 s with mirror lock-up, 12 s
Metering Sensor
16-Segment
Meter range
0 to 21 EV
Meter pattern
Multi-Segment,Center Weighted,Spot
Mirror lock-up
Yes
Interval shooting
No
HDR mode
No
Multiple exposures
Yes, average and additive, 2 to 9 shots
Pixel mapping
No
Scene Modes
None
Restrictions
Exposure modes with M and K lenses are restricted to Av (with aperture always wide open) and M (with stop-down metering)
Lens Mount
Mount
KAF2 (no aperture coupler)
Composition Adjustment
No
Stabilization
Yes (sensor-shift SR)
Power zoom
Supported (zoom only)
Supported Lenses
All Pentax K-mount lenses except for lenses with the KAF4 mount variant. Support for lenses with the KAF3 mount variant requires a firmware update. Manual focus only with K-, M-, and A-series lenses. Stop down metering only with K- and M-series lenses. M42, Pentax 645 and Pentax 6x7 lenses with the appropriate adapters (stop down metering and manual focus only).
Lens correction
None
Focusing
Autofocus (viewfinder)
Yes (SAFOX VIII, 11 focus points (9 cross type))
AF Points
11
Autofocus sensitivity
-1 EV
Front/back focus correction
No
Autofocus with SDM
Yes
Autofocus assist
Stroboscopic Flash
Viewfinder/LCD
Viewfinder
0.95x, 95%
Viewfinder type
Pentaprism
Diopter adjustment
-2.5 to +1.5
AF Points in viewfinder
Yes
Exchangeable screen
Yes
Depth of field preview
Yes
Digital preview
Yes (with image magnificaion)
Live View
No
Top LCD
Yes
Focus Peaking
N/A
Back LCD
2.5 in. 210,000 pix
Body
Weather resistant
Yes
Control wheels
2
Battery grip
D-BG2 with D-LI50
Card slots
1
Dust removal
Yes, Sensor Shake DR
Dust alert
No
Memory card type
SD, SDHC
Size (W x H x D)
141.5 x 101 x 70 mm
Weight
710 g
File format
PEF (RAW),DNG (RAW),JPG
Battery life
500 images without flash
Battery
D-LI50 lithium-ion rechargeable
Flash
Built-in flash
Yes, GN 11 (ISO 100/m)
Sync speed
1/180s
P-TTL flash
Yes
Flash functions
Auto discharge, On (leading curtain sync), Redeye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Trailing curtain sync, High-speed sync*, Manual*, Wireless*, Contrast control* * Available when combined with external flash
TTL flash
No
Flash exposure comp
-2 to 1 EV
Video
Resolution / Framerates
No
Exposure Modes
Movie mode restrictions
N/A
AF During Recording
No
Sound in Movie mode
N/A
Interfacing
GPS
Not Supported
Tethering
Wired (native)
Connectivity
USB 2.0/Video out, DC in, cable release
Latest Firmware
Version 1.31
Notes
User reviews
In-camera RAW development
Special Editions

Grand Prix

Weather Sealed: Yes
Price History:



Add Review of Pentax K10D
Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-15 of 62
New Member

Registered: October, 2019
Posts: 20

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: November 3, 2019 Recommended | Price: $100.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: LCD sensor
Cons: High noise with iso 800-1600
Years Owned: 4    Ergonomics: 9    Build Quality: 9    User Interface: 8    Autofocus: 8    Features: 8    Value: 10    Image Quality: 10    Noise: 7    New or Used: Used   

Made a few shots after not using it for a long time. It still is a great camera! Iso 100-400 is very low noise and the images are very clear and punchy right out of the camera (RAW). Here an image I took, made some adjustments on it in Lightroom:

   
Senior Member

Registered: October, 2008
Location: Chicago,IL. U.S.A
Posts: 147
Review Date: December 14, 2013 Recommended | Price: $450.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Easy to use, old manual focus lenses pair up nicley.
Cons: No weather seal
Years Owned: 6    Ergonomics: 9    Build Quality: 9    User Interface: 9    Autofocus: 9    Features: 9    Value: 10    Image Quality: 9    Noise: 9    New or Used: New   

Easy to learn, great to use. My manual focus lenses mount easily with adapters , the old saying is "press the green button and shoot", that pretty mush does sum it up, the old lenses match up near flawless with this camera. I've used tons of the old M42 screw mount lenses and even mounted Nikon lenses without an adaptor. Pretty amazing little camera. I love it.
   
New Member

Registered: January, 2008
Location: Escalante, Ut
Posts: 13

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: November 7, 2013 Recommended | Price: $450.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Dependable, easy to use.
Cons:
Years Owned: 6    Ergonomics: 10    Build Quality: 10    User Interface: 9    Autofocus: 6    Features: 10    Value: 10    Image Quality: 10    Noise: 8    New or Used: New   

This was my first dslr when I switched from slide film to digital. I had resisted the change, but had to due to the high cost of purchasing and developing slide film. I purchased this k10d when it was first released, I have never had to have it serviced, it just works that well and has been that dependable. Only reason I will eventually upgrade is if I want more megapixels or if the camera eventually gives out.
   
Forum Member

Registered: August, 2007
Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
Posts: 74

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: October 15, 2013 Recommended | Price: $1,250.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Wonderful quality and feeling of the body, Shake Reduction System In the body, Water proof, Wonderful UI, One of the best camera of that period (if not the best)
Cons: Low Pentax support software! They could give much more of this hardware. They prefered to give it from next model. I think that they could give a stronger OS (eg. the ability to focus adjustment etc)
Years Owned: 6    Ergonomics: 10    Build Quality: 10    User Interface: 9    Autofocus: 9    Features: 10    Value: 10    Image Quality: 9    Noise: 8    New or Used: New   

It is one of the best cameras ever made by Pentax. The quality, the weight, the compatibility with all the lenses of the past, the present and the future in conjunction with the SR in the body makes this model still one of the best cameras in the passage of time.
I admire Pentax company and I am one of its best fans, but I would to things from this model:
1. A bit bigger size for the grips (like my Pentax Z1) for my big fingers (and nails, as I am a classical guitarist).
2. A Full Frame Sensor (which I am looking forward since then until today (October 2013) and so on)

Pentax K-10D is still one of my favorite Pentax cameras, which I still use it with great success and happiness. I wish that Pentax will not forget this model and some day give us an enhanced OS!
   
Site Supporter

Registered: June, 2008
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 10
Review Date: October 14, 2013 Recommended | Price: $1,000.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: reliability
Cons: state-of-the-art features
Years Owned: 6    Ergonomics: 10    Build Quality: 10    User Interface: 9    Autofocus: 9    Features: 8    Value: 10    Image Quality: 10    Noise: 9    New or Used: New   

My K10D has been a reliable companion since 2006. I have taken thousands of photos in all sorts of weather, field, and lighting conditions. It has performed impeccably. If not for new technological innovations in current models, I'm sure I'd be perfectly content to continue using this tried-and-true instrument of work and art.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: June, 2009
Location: Utah, Idaho
Posts: 2,396

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: October 14, 2013 Recommended | Price: $749.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: ISO 100, reliable workhorse, 100 ISO, button layout, 100 ISO
Cons: More focus points would help (and smaller points too)
Years Owned: 7    Ergonomics: 10    Build Quality: 10    User Interface: 9    Autofocus: 8    Features: 10    Value: 10    Image Quality: 10    Noise: 10    New or Used: New   

The K10D was a landmark camera for Pentax, much like the K1000 was so many years ago.

The K10D is my workhorse camera. I had a second body as a backup, but sold it long ago because I never needed it. The layout of the buttons are very nice. You don't have to press and hold a button every time you want to select AF points like you do on some newer Pentax bodies. It's just an easy-to-use camera that has unbeatable ISO 100 CCD sensor pictures.
   
New Member

Registered: December, 2007
Location: Quispamsis,Canada
Posts: 4
Review Date: October 14, 2013 Recommended | Price: $1,000.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Built like a tank..
Cons:
Years Owned: 5    Ergonomics: 10    Build Quality: 10    User Interface: 9    Autofocus: 9    Value: 10    Image Quality: 10    Noise: 8    New or Used: New   

This is my first DSLR and it's old. Time for an upgrade.
   
Senior Member

Registered: January, 2013
Posts: 103

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: April 27, 2013 Recommended | Price: $300.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Very good results with lens-speed manual series Takumar
Cons: Small range of sensor sensitivity (ISO). One problem is the need to purchase a focusing screen for manual focusing.
Years Owned: 1    Ergonomics: 9    Build Quality: 10    User Interface: 9    Autofocus: 9    Features: 10    Value: 10    Image Quality: 10    Noise: 9    New or Used: Used   

For many years I was shooting with an analogue camera Pentax Spotmatic-F. K-1O allows me to use the good old Takumar lenses, at the same time he gives me a new quality of work and image. Mastering the exposure has made it easy and obvious. In principle, I work for the "Manual", but in many situations I use aperture priority settings and time. Very helpful is the image stabilization in the body, and the ability to manually adjust the white balance reduces the time needed for final processing photos. After a year of service, this is difficult for me to find any flaws in it, I'm very happy with my purchase of this body. It's a great camera!!!
   
New Member

Registered: February, 2012
Posts: 7
Review Date: March 25, 2012 Recommended | Price: $600.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp pictures, weather sealed, Build quality
Cons: Noise on higher ISO
Years Owned: 4    Ergonomics: 9    Build Quality: 10    User Interface: 9    Features: 9    Value: 10    Image Quality: 9    Noise: 9    New or Used: New   

This was my first DSLR and have enjoyed it since I bought it. I've never had a problem with and get great pictures from it.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: September, 2011
Location: California
Posts: 369
Review Date: March 14, 2012 Recommended | Price: $250.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Color, Weather Sealed, Price, Accessories
Cons: None
Years Owned: 1    Ergonomics: 10    Build Quality: 10    User Interface: 10    Autofocus: 10    Features: 10    Value: 10    Image Quality: 10    Noise: 10    New or Used: New   

Excellent camera, glad I upgraded to this from my K100D Super. It was a great upgrade and allows you to learn a lot more! The weather sealing on the camera just amazes me, and how the OEM battery grip is also weather sealed. Great camera and affordable!
   
New Member

Registered: December, 2011
Posts: 2

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: December 17, 2011 Recommended | Price: $950.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Weatherproof
Cons: AWB not accurate but
Years Owned: 4    Ergonomics: 10    Build Quality: 10    User Interface: 10    Autofocus: 8    Features: 8    Value: 10    Image Quality: 9    Noise: 8    New or Used: New   

I love this camera

After many years with film (car racing, car shows, weddings, etc....) I lost the joy in photography. Quit taking pics on any kind in 1990.
In 2001 I bought my first digital(Sony point and shoot) In 2004 I met my wife, we both had passions for photography in out past and about 5 point and shoots later we both decided to go DSLR. My wife has a Nikon D80 and I bought the Pentax K10D(2007) I am to say the least, rough on a camera. I wanted a tough outdoors camera that could be outdoors in a mist or rain and not be afraid of hurting it in any way. What I got was exactly that. If you are looking at buying a lightweight DSLR, the K10D is not your camera. This camera without a lens, weighs about what my wifes D80 does with a 50mm on it. Does that make it uncomfortable NO. It is the most balanced feeling camera I have felt, especially in the beginner to midrange DSLR major brands.

There are many reviews on here but in layman terms that everyone can understand, here is a very brief review.

Beginner to Midrange comparison
Image quality - equals or slightly below Nikon, Canon or Sony(=N,CorS) (soft on the edges on some pics) in RAW surpases all 3
White balance - Auto white is poor, always manual set. 60% of my pics I have to adjust the levels in photoshop.
Autofocus - about 100% accurate about 80% of the time. When it is off it is way off
AutoSettings - If you want auto settings like landscape, overcast etc... this camera is not for you. The K10D does not have any
scenesettings, This puts the camera in more of a midrange photography knowledge catagory for a beginner price
Camera Feel - In your hands it is heavy but balanced. Generous righthand grip size, bigger and more comfortable than (N,CorS)

My BIGGEST complaint. Availability of high end lenses 400mm 500mm 800mm

Ok now for real world - Would I buy again, 100% yes
Through my business I have been to Africa, Middle East, Europe, Canada, Central and South America and all over the US taking more than 20,000 pictures and this camera has been rock solid. All I have ever had to do to a pic in photoshop is adjust the levels.

I hope this helps
   
Junior Member

Registered: February, 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 34

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: September 15, 2011 Recommended | Price: $1,000.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: 100% view finder, Weather Resistant, In Camera SR
Cons: None
Years Owned: had since 2008    Ergonomics: 10    Build Quality: 10    User Interface: 9    Autofocus: 9    Features: 9    Value: 10    Image Quality: 10    Noise: 8    New or Used: New   

Great camera has never let me down, and now own 3 including a GP edition. Despite its age now it gets a lot of interest when fitted with the Grip and has impressed several friends who use Minolta/Sony DSLRS with its build quality
Update (190/6/2013) Still have my GP edition, now have 2 K5's and this camera still holds its own, Bought a Nikon D90 to replace it with as a walk around camera.............. Nikon SOLD, K10 still going strong.
   
Forum Member

Registered: August, 2008
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 52

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 7, 2010 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Solid feel, nice colors, easy access to all controls
Cons: Jpegs look soft when viewed 100%, ISO beyond 640 has poor quality when viewed 100%, not good in AF-C

Pros Solid feel, nice colors, easy access to all controls
Cons Jpegs look soft when viewed 100%, ISO beyond 640 has poor quality when viewed 100%, not good in AF-C
Rating 10
Price (U.S. Dollars) 500
Years Owned 2

I can recommend this camera: Yes

Value, Features, Performance & Size
Exceptional value for money - Solid handling with semi-pro features like weather sealing, plethora of external buttons
Features - Pentax unique modes like Sv, TAv priority, in built SR, bright view finder
Performance - Very fast in operation as long as it is not fast moving

Camera Review
This is my first SLR ever... I previously owned sony DSC-S85 which is a nice camera with the ability to change metering mode/ focus using an external button, highly usable manual modes like Av, Tv and a fast 2.0 to 2.5 lens. Limitations are it is slow in operation, ISO beyond 200 very noisy and I was looking at DSLRs from Sony, Pentax and Olympus (No Nikon/ Pentax ) as they had in built IS. I had my eyes on Pentax K100D Super then came the craigslist ad for K10D + kit lens for $500, I immediately lapped it up
My first impressions were this camera is one hell of a sopishiticated machine with so many options and completely strange (atleast to me coming from a prosumer camera background) ergonomics, it took me some time to get familar.
One standout is the solid feel and once I started using TAv and Sv modes, I was a very happy camper! It responded fast, I had no qualms in taking pics @ ISO1600 (as long as I do not see 100%, they are fine), I can change metering modes on the fly and I use the digital preview feature to do unusual angle shooting.

I bought WR 18-55 and the quality is very good.
Most of my pics are indoors and once I obtained Tamron 28-75mm and Pentax F-50mm f1.7, I have some many possibilities

Some of the cons - I have the Tamron 28-75mm and at large apertures indoor, I never had very sharp pix as I got outdoors wide open. performance with the 50mm was much better. I am not sure if the problem is in indoor lighting (I had seen reports where focus is upset in the presence of indoor tungsten lighting etc...) or with the lens ( I had the lens calibrated by Tamron service)

Wud've been nice if focus assist light is separate from the flash. It is very annoying having to remember opening the flash head in dark light
I with they zoom in the focus area in digital preview (with live view in newer cameras, it does not matter any more).
AF-C was useless in the few occasions I used

With a toddler running, I do not have whole lot of time to do RAW processing, there are sometimes when I wish the camera jpeg is sharp when viewed at 100% ( I changed the default options, it is better but not as good as when I processed a RAW file occasionally... Probably I need to learn batch processing so that I process all files at once )
It is not a big deal for me as I do not believe in 100% viewing but for some people it might be a big deal

Auto White balance is bad in indoor, it is a pain to do custom while balance every time


My biggest complaint is with Pentax system - They do not have fast affordable primes in the focal lengths 24mm to 30mm. Yes 35mmf2.4 is good but it is only half stop faster than my tamron and 24mm or 28mm will be very useful. (Probably 30mm or wider lens with fast apertures makes the lens big unlike the 30-50mm range I guess).

I have no complaints ( I have taken over 11000 pix) and have no plan to upgrade unless Pentax comes with form factor close to Nex cameras in the mirrorless segment.
I can recommend the camera whole heartedly
   
Veteran Member

Registered: March, 2008
Location: Israel
Posts: 932

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: November 16, 2010 Recommended | Price: $1,700.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: IQ, Ergonomics, speed and ease of operation. Essentially everything
Cons: None

Pros IQ, Ergonomics, speed and ease of operation. Essentially everything
Cons None
Rating 10
Price (U.S. Dollars) 1700
Years Owned 3 + 1

I can recommend this camera: Yes

Value, Features, Performance & Size
I haven't yet touched K-5. Taking this into account K10D yields the best IQ among all Pentax flagship cameras prior to K-5. IMHO, it outdoes both K20D and K-7. The color rendition and the tonality rendition of this camera are outstanding. Many times I would just convert the RAW files with default settings in LR and get what I want.

Camera Review
It is hefty and felt rather big after really small *istD. But what a joy it was to use. I shot with mine 20,000 images in three years and gave it to my daughter. She's shooting with it for a year now. Hence 3 + 1 in "years owned" field. I can only praise this camera. It's been reliable, dependable and produced excellent results.

Today, just before 2010 ends, it feels outdated - slow AF, narrow ISO range, not too reliable metering, no AF adjustment unless you engage in trickery, etc. But none of these really get in a way of photography. At least as far as what my daughter and I are shooting. The IQ however is stellar.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: June, 2011
Posts: 485

9 users found this helpful
Review Date: December 19, 2019 Recommended | Price: $80.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: image quality, price
Cons: ISO
Years Owned: 1    Ergonomics: 9    Build Quality: 9    User Interface: 9    Autofocus: 8    Features: 8    Value: 9    Image Quality: 10    Noise: 7    New or Used: Used   

I've been playing with a lot of older Pentax bodies and it's getting difficult to compare them directly. There's so many options now in the sub $100 range. The good news is they are all good. Here's the ups for the K10D:

The K10D has the last CCD sensor Pentax put in their bodies (pretty sure I have that right, not sure about MF), a 10mp version. That means a lot to some people. Certainly CCD is physically different than CMOS. How noticeable the differences are beyond noise I am not sure, but the images certainly are beautiful in this camera.

The camera also has a totally different body design than other Pentax DSLR lineups, being much wider. Same depth and height just about, just wider. It's almost like a chunky film SLR. For some that is desirable and they really miss this body, for me I prefer the K-7 -> K-3 designs. It's not bad at all, I just am a fan of the narrower body.

This is a good camera, and a great camera if you're looking for a cheap DSLR to play with vintage lenses on and get really cool images. I've had a lot of fun with mine.

I made a video explanation of my thoughts here (with image samples)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QYxbnfEwAE
Add Review of Pentax K10D



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