Is the K100D still a viable platform???

nms_photog · 08-25-2011, 05:48 PM

About to pick up a used K100D-S to give my wife and have as a backup to the KX. Just wondering how it stacks up against the more modern options in real world usage, b4 I POP the cash for it.

adpo · 08-25-2011, 05:56 PM

slap a flash on that thing and unless she does landscapes after the sun's already down, pretty much any dslr is viable for non-pros

and even then, tripods exist to help with that

joe.penn · 08-25-2011, 05:57 PM

It is a worthy camera - as a backup to a KX I am not sure about though. For what you can purchase a KX for used, the best backup for a KX is another KX...

---

Adam · 08-25-2011, 06:14 PM

It's a good camera, and since it supports SDM and has SR, you'll get the most out of your lenses.

The only thing that might get on your nerves is the low resolution, but for most applications, prints will still look great.

Adam
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nms_photog · 08-25-2011, 07:25 PM

Well, I can get the body for $160, and the cheapest KX I've seen is still in the $400+/- range. As for resolution, I've printed 6mp photos from an old Samsung p&s up to 12x16 with good results, so a DSLR with aps-c would only be better, and as long as it can produce quality prints at 16x20 (my best selling "big print") we'll be happy.

ve2vfd · 08-25-2011, 07:44 PM

I gave one to my sister with a DA 18-50 and a DA 50-200, she absolutely loves it so I would say that even if it's not the most current model it's still a very viable camera. It sure blows her 12mp other brand point and shoot out of the water.

I also still have my old K110d which I lend out to friends... still produces really nice pics.

Pat

jsherman999 · 08-25-2011, 07:47 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by nms_photog

Well, I can get the body for $160, and the cheapest KX I've seen is still in the $400+/- range. As for resolution, I've printed 6mp photos from an old Samsung p&s up to 12x16 with good results, so a DSLR with aps-c would only be better, and as long as it can produce quality prints at 16x20 (my best selling "big print") we'll be happy.

I'd buy one again for $160. It's a great little camera.

nms_photog · 08-25-2011, 09:09 PM

Thanks guys!!! Called the guy who has the local Craigslist ad, and actually settled on $150cash (original asking price was $200)........pick it up tomorrow!!!!!

GibbyTheMole · 08-26-2011, 08:50 AM

I have one. (I also have a K-x.) I think it's a fine camera that takes great photos. Nice build quality & ergonomics, too.

RonHendriks1966 · 08-26-2011, 11:39 AM

I just have one for a few days now and it is a very nice camera.

nms_photog · 08-26-2011, 04:36 PM

Sitting here with the guy...........and guess what?.............well, the guys wife inadvertently sold it to someone she thought was me about 3hrs ago while he was at work. So, looks like I'm out searching again!!!

nathancombs · 08-26-2011, 11:56 PM

i used 1 for a back up for my k10d shooting photoj worked like a charm :-)

GlennG · 08-28-2011, 11:47 AM

Regrettably I can't compare my k100dS to any newer since that is my only dslr. What I can tell you is that I printed a snapshot at 11X14 and it looked great - at least to me - jpeg printed straight at Walgreen's without any post processing. I had used a da40 limited lens. Similar to the experiences reported by many better glass seems to help as my photos seemed to be generally sharper and better as I progressed from da 18-55 II, to da 17-70, to da 40 limited.

The camera, which I purchased refurbished in spring 2009, has performed flawlessly and seems to be built robustly. The SDM lens works well. The size and ergonomics feel pretty good (again, no comparison to any other dslr). My perceptions about the "cons" of the camera are probably due to the age in which it was built. High iso is probably pretty good, but the newer units are likely better. Internal processing feels a bit slow - even deleting one photo seems to take a lot longer than I'd like. I'm okay with it only being 6 MP. I can recommend the camera - its a good unit and good performer for its age. A good used one would give a lot of value. Thanks. Glenn

Charles Hueter · 08-28-2011, 08:06 PM

Except for color image quality at 3200 ISO, some AF struggles in low light, and the Auto ISO/Exposure Compensation bug, it's a good camera. I've used it for more than 27,000 shots and don't hesitate to pull it out when resolution isn't a critical factor.

Jodokast96 · 08-30-2011, 03:52 AM

I more or less just had this debate with someone at another forum. He was of the opinion that a K100D was much more inferior to a K10D, than a K-x was to a K-5, mostly because the K100D "was only 6mp" and "had a dark vf". The fact that a K100D was still a capable camera was totally lost on him (I really think it was the booze talking). While the K100D is not my camera of choice, it's for all of the same reasons a K-m or K-x or K-r wouldn't be, and IQ certainly isn't it.

08-25-2011, 05:48 PM	#1
nms_photog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mississippi Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282	Is the K100D still a viable platform??? About to pick up a used K100D-S to give my wife and have as a backup to the KX. Just wondering how it stacks up against the more modern options in real world usage, b4 I POP the cash for it.

08-25-2011, 07:44 PM	#6
ve2vfd Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,433	I gave one to my sister with a DA 18-50 and a DA 50-200, she absolutely loves it so I would say that even if it's not the most current model it's still a very viable camera. It sure blows her 12mp other brand point and shoot out of the water. I also still have my old K110d which I lend out to friends... still produces really nice pics. Pat Last edited by ve2vfd; 08-26-2011 at 01:57 PM. Reason: fixed typo

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08-25-2011, 05:56 PM	#2
adpo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 888	slap a flash on that thing and unless she does landscapes after the sun's already down, pretty much any dslr is viable for non-pros and even then, tripods exist to help with that

08-25-2011, 05:57 PM	#3
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	It is a worthy camera - as a backup to a KX I am not sure about though. For what you can purchase a KX for used, the best backup for a KX is another KX... ---

08-25-2011, 06:14 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	It's a good camera, and since it supports SDM and has SR, you'll get the most out of your lenses. The only thing that might get on your nerves is the low resolution, but for most applications, prints will still look great. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

08-25-2011, 07:25 PM	#5
nms_photog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mississippi Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282 Original Poster	Well, I can get the body for $160, and the cheapest KX I've seen is still in the $400+/- range. As for resolution, I've printed 6mp photos from an old Samsung p&s up to 12x16 with good results, so a DSLR with aps-c would only be better, and as long as it can produce quality prints at 16x20 (my best selling "big print") we'll be happy.

08-25-2011, 07:47 PM - 1 Like	#7
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by nms_photog Well, I can get the body for $160, and the cheapest KX I've seen is still in the $400+/- range. As for resolution, I've printed 6mp photos from an old Samsung p&s up to 12x16 with good results, so a DSLR with aps-c would only be better, and as long as it can produce quality prints at 16x20 (my best selling "big print") we'll be happy. I'd buy one again for $160. It's a great little camera.

08-25-2011, 09:09 PM	#8
nms_photog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mississippi Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282 Original Poster	Thanks guys!!! Called the guy who has the local Craigslist ad, and actually settled on $150cash (original asking price was $200)........pick it up tomorrow!!!!!

08-26-2011, 08:50 AM	#9
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	I have one. (I also have a K-x.) I think it's a fine camera that takes great photos. Nice build quality & ergonomics, too.

08-26-2011, 11:39 AM	#10
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	I just have one for a few days now and it is a very nice camera.

08-26-2011, 04:36 PM	#11
nms_photog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mississippi Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282 Original Poster	Sitting here with the guy...........and guess what?.............well, the guys wife inadvertently sold it to someone she thought was me about 3hrs ago while he was at work. So, looks like I'm out searching again!!!

08-26-2011, 11:56 PM	#12
nathancombs Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waysboro va Photos: Gallery Posts: 517	i used 1 for a back up for my k10d shooting photoj worked like a charm :-)

08-28-2011, 11:47 AM	#13
GlennG Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 824	Regrettably I can't compare my k100dS to any newer since that is my only dslr. What I can tell you is that I printed a snapshot at 11X14 and it looked great - at least to me - jpeg printed straight at Walgreen's without any post processing. I had used a da40 limited lens. Similar to the experiences reported by many better glass seems to help as my photos seemed to be generally sharper and better as I progressed from da 18-55 II, to da 17-70, to da 40 limited. The camera, which I purchased refurbished in spring 2009, has performed flawlessly and seems to be built robustly. The SDM lens works well. The size and ergonomics feel pretty good (again, no comparison to any other dslr). My perceptions about the "cons" of the camera are probably due to the age in which it was built. High iso is probably pretty good, but the newer units are likely better. Internal processing feels a bit slow - even deleting one photo seems to take a lot longer than I'd like. I'm okay with it only being 6 MP. I can recommend the camera - its a good unit and good performer for its age. A good used one would give a lot of value. Thanks. Glenn

08-28-2011, 08:06 PM	#14
Charles Hueter Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 42	Except for color image quality at 3200 ISO, some AF struggles in low light, and the Auto ISO/Exposure Compensation bug, it's a good camera. I've used it for more than 27,000 shots and don't hesitate to pull it out when resolution isn't a critical factor.

08-30-2011, 03:52 AM	#15
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	I more or less just had this debate with someone at another forum. He was of the opinion that a K100D was much more inferior to a K10D, than a K-x was to a K-5, mostly because the K100D "was only 6mp" and "had a dark vf". The fact that a K100D was still a capable camera was totally lost on him (I really think it was the booze talking). While the K100D is not my camera of choice, it's for all of the same reasons a K-m or K-x or K-r wouldn't be, and IQ certainly isn't it.