Originally posted by BryantCP One thing that I've noticed with my KP is that the "bright" mode under Custom Image settings is much more intense than it is on the other Pentax cameras I've owned - almost to the point of being garish. On my *st DS, K-5 & K-3 they are all set for the "bright" mode setting. On those camera I find the "natural" mode somewhat "washed out". I would suggest trying out both settings with your KP.
Hmmm. I don't get that at all. I had been used to my K-5 IIs, which I still have and like, but found just slight underexposure. In test reviews, there have been consistent remarks about Pentax under-setting a number of parameters presumably to leave headroom for any desired post process, and the results showed up as "mushy" JPEG images. The recommended "fix" for the KP and other models, which I have been using for years in my own various models, is to set up "Fine Sharpening" in the Custom Image menus. This will allow better detail to emerge, and maybe look not as glaring to you.
With the K-5 IIs I even increase the sharpening level also, which is already up by one notch as default in the "Bright" category, by yet one more notch as well as implementing"Fine Sharpening". But I leave the "Bright" sharpening level itself as is with the 24mp KP. Just implementing "FineSharpening" seems to do the trick. With the K-5 IIs, and especially with the K20D when setting to "Bright" the colors seem somewhat oversaturated especially for skin tones. Not as much with my KP, it seems. But everyone has their own tastes. At least we have the ability to make our own adjustments!