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Pentax Z-10 / PZ-10

Reviews Views Date of last review
5 74,901 Wed August 5, 2020
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $25.00 7.75
Pentax Z-10 / PZ-10

Pentax Z-10 / PZ-10
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Pentax Z-10 / PZ-10
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Pentax Z-10 / PZ-10
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Description:
Z-10/PZ-10
Year introduced
1991
Mount
KAF2
Meter range
1 - 21 EV
Meter pattern
m s
ISO range
100
DX ISO range
25 - 5000
Exposure modes
P, M, HyM, B
Exposure compensation
+/-3 EV
Exposure memory lock
No
Shutter speeds (auto)
30 - 1/2000s
Shutter speeds (manual)
1 - 1/2000s
Shutter speeds (mechanical)
None
Self timer
Yes
Mirror lock-up
No
Auto bracketing
No
Multiple exposures
No
Winder
Built-in
Built-in flash
Yes, GN 12
TTL flash
Yes
P-TTL flash
No
Sync speed
1/100s
Flash exposure comp
No
Autofocus
Yes (1 point)
Autofocus sensitivity
1 - 18 EV
Power zoom
Yes, extended
Viewfinder
0.77x, 91%
Viewfinder type
Pentamirror
Diopter correction
No
Exchangeable screen
No
Depth of field preview
No
Image size
24 x 36 mm
Panorama format
No
Battery
2CR5
Battery grip/pack
No
Size (W x H x D)
146 x 92.5 x 66.5 mm
Weight
490 g
Comment
Extra flash functions: Contrast control
Price History:



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Veteran Member

Registered: October, 2015
Posts: 459
Review Date: August 5, 2020 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Autofocus, P-mode or manual, good for beginners
Cons: Manual metering only spot

This was my first camera. I still have it and I might use it again. Bought in 1993 (more or less). I used it basically always as a point and shoot SLR, not knowing much about photography. Interchangeable lens was something I was interested in but as a student, didnt have the money to buy other lenses. I used it with a Sigma zoom, one of those where the rubber turned into glue. The optical performance however, was fine. Could work today as a backup travel companion.

Recommendation: yes, but for almost no extra money, you can buy a Z-20 which has way more features.

Things I like:
  • Quite good AF
  • Focus confirmation hexagon while focusing manually
  • P-mode actually quite useful. Did make good decisions when I am looking back on my old negatives
  • EV compensation in P-mode (to override DX ISO)
  • Spot metering in manual mode
  • Precursor of green button to get right exposure when aperture ring is not on 'A' (manual mode)
  • Body is quite small and lightweight but sturdy
  • Unobtrusive, goes unnoticed since it doesnt look fancy or worth to be stolen
Thing I dislike:
  • No center-weighted or matrix-metering when aperture ring is not on 'A', only spot
  • Pre-A lenses work only with spot metering
  • In P, no indication which aperture is used
  • Only +/o/- indications in viewfinder for exposure
  • No ISO control
  • Quite expensive batteries
Some claims of the other reviews are not correct. The camera has no center-weighted metering mode. In P it is matrix, in manual, ie if the aperture is not 'A' or on K-/M-lenses it is spot.
   
New Member

Registered: November, 2013
Posts: 14
Review Date: March 19, 2014 Recommended | Price: $25.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: good, very simple film AF-SLR, good viewfinder
Cons: lack of aperture and time indication in viewfinder,batteries

very similar to Pentax MV with red and green lamp in viewfinder, but winder, TTL-flash light and AF inluded.

For children or beginners a good idea.

Really very good results. Ideal for snapshots, when sun is shining.

Unfortunately, no information about aperture and time

(Don't forget tripod; when travelling with it)
   
Veteran Member

Registered: April, 2012
Location: Melbs
Posts: 1,237

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: January 25, 2014 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Cheap, Automatic
Cons: Cheap, Automatic

Think of it as a K1000 with auto film advance and rewind, plus bonus focus confirmation. Maybe think of it as a ME?

With an auto lens (A setting) It defaults as the others have indicated into P mode. You then have no idea what aperture is being selected, nor shutter speed. you just point, and spray

And when you have had a few beers, why not?

Tripping it out of A setting allows proper manual control. Setting the aperture manually you hit the "green" button and it sets the shutter accordingly. (sounds familiar right) Thats the little button up the back. It acts just like you'd expect the 'green' one would on modern pentax's. It's center weighted naturally, and that's fine!

Yes it has a proper K-mount so it will meter correctly with the K, and M lenses. HOORAY! That's right. Move the aperture after you have set the shutter and the meter will complain that its under or over exposed. All whilst still framing everything wide open. Why don't modern DSLR's work like this?? Yes I don't know either.

The 28mm prime you have been using on your APS-C camera also all of a sudden looks wide in this viewfinder.

A bit of common sense has this camera performing wonderfully. Remember, you don't have to wind the film on :P What Luxury.

It's heavy and dare I say bulky, and sounds like a proper VCR, but what fun!

Strap a M 28mm on it, some forgiving 400iso film and I reckon you could dam well take this thing anywhere.

Again. It meters correctly with M and K Lenses!

If you cant control the aperture (I'm looking at you DA35) It will still shoot in P mode. Who knows what ap or s it's selecting tho :P It will just work.

It's a nice bit of fun. If you have a stack of M, and K lenses, there is no need to waste your cash on the others. Unless you really want to see the shutter selection in the viewfinder?

With M and K lenses, it's a K1000 with automatic film advance + rewind + focus confirmation + automatic film selection. Yes it reads the DX codes on the film can. GREAT!

If you want to over and underexpose, remember what film you have in (there is that tiny window) and adjust the shutter accordingly! Piece. of Pi**

Happy
   
Forum Member

Registered: February, 2010
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 83
Review Date: September 19, 2011 Recommended | Price: $25.00 | Rating: 6 

 
Pros: Build quality, handling
Cons: Automatic, noisy, bulky

I bought this camera because it was cheap. The Z-10 is definetely not the camera I'd actually choose, the main reason being that it's just too automatic.

First, the lack of controls. I like pushing and pulling my films, but it's not easy with this camera. The shooting modes are somewhat confusing. So far I've figured out that there are only two modes (besides bulb): program mode where the exposure compensation can be adjusted, and manual mode where you set aperture on lens and shutter speed on camera. Fortunately for manual mode users, there is a "green" button.

In manual mode the viewfinder doesn't provide much information on shutter speed as it's only shown as over-, correct and underexposure. The top LCD shows shutter speed and exposure compensation. In program mode there is absolutely no information on exposure.

I'm quite happy with the camera's design and build. Z-10 is bulky (similar to my K10D in size), but that means it's also very comfortable to hold, exept that my little finger doesn't fit on the grip. The camera is plastic, but still feels quite solid, unlike my Pentax *ist. I love the on/off button on Z-10.

The AF is noisy and slow and has only one AF point. It works just like on later cameras, so manual lenses can be used without problems.

All in all, it's a great automatic camera, but not very suitable for more sophisticated users.
   
Inactive Account

Registered: June, 2009
Location: Santa Cruz Mountains
Posts: 53
Review Date: July 5, 2009 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: N/A 

 
Pros:
Cons:

i got my housemate a PZ-10. It's a camera that can do some rather "high end" stuff,yet is ,if you want,a VERY easy camera to use.

No spot meter or DOF,but a big bright viewfinder and all the auto features. A rather large body,but easy to hold and not heavy. Feels pretty solid. They seem to have sold well and can be had rather cheap. Makes a nice backup or a camera for the "easy technology" shooter who's usually doing auto modes.
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