Originally posted by RiceHigh Handled a K200D today and below are my observations:-
1. Body is larger and heavier than that I would like, at least noticeably more weight and bulkier than the K100D. The build quality is felt just a little bit better than the K100D, though, which is similar to the K10D and the K20D. Anyway, the plasticky outshell must not be something that I really like;
What entry level cameras have non plastic shells? In K200D's level, there is only Panasonic DMC-L1 that I can think of?
Quote: 3. The AF point red illuminated marks are yet again misaligned, as usual. No real surprise here;
Can you get any reference pictures of this?
Quote: 6. Auto ISO does work even when the Exposure Compensation is applied. The function and setting of the Auto ISO is just the same as that of the K10D and K20D. With the launch of the K200D and K20D and the dis-continuation of other older Pentax DSLR models, it has marked a full-stop for the annoying long lasting Pentax DSLR Auto ISO bug since the *ist D, which has been persistent for five year!(?) But yet, my question is: WHY Pentax do NOT release firmware updates for those other older Pentax DSLR models for all we old users so as to get rid of this annoying old problem completely??
Thats a different camera your talking about, have nothing to do with the K200D? When I read a review about a K200D I don't care if its available on an older camera. You say yourself its not a problem with the K200D.
Quote: 9. It should be noted that set price of the K200D is the most expensive amongst the latest 10+ Mega Pixel DSLR offers from the brands C, N, O and S. Nevertheless, the K200D still costs less than half of the price of a K20D;
Here K200D is cheaper then;
Nikon D60, D80. Its about 200$ more expensive then the D40x.
Its 100$ more expensive then Olympus 510.
Its cheaper then Sony Alpha 300, 350 and about 100$ more expensive then A200.
Its cheaper then Samsungs GX-10 but costs about the same as K10D.
Its cheaper then Canon EOS 450D and about 150$ more expensive then the EOS 400D.
Pattern is, that if you indeed want to compare it with old cameras, it is a bit more expensive. If you compare it with the new cameras, its acctually cheaper. And the differences are not much at all with any of them.
Quote: All in all, I can see a real dilemma here for the existing Pentax DSLR users who just wish to find a better upgrade path, especially for the old K users. The dilemma is that the K200D and the K20D are almost designed and built identically, feature wise and in many characteristics, even for those which are not published, e.g., the improved mirror damping and quieter shutter action (but along with some noticeably system time lag and finder black-out, which are very similar). The major (only) differences, which are obvious or published on paper, between the two latest DSLRs are just on the pixel count (and the new Samsung CMOS sensor) and the new Live View feature of the K20D which is weakest in the market in terms of features and functionality.
Once again, is it K20D or K200D your making a review of? If its the K20D, are you only going to compare the liveview against others?
Quote: All in all, I do think Pentax should make a real entry level DSLR (which should be sold cheaper, and more importantly, smaller and lighter) and a real advanced level DSLR (like the D300, that has faster and stronger AF and quicker system responses), otherwise they again could seek no further market share at all, with their current somehow "weak" offers which are unable to compete in *any* market segments (Indeed, I really have big doubts about what are the actual *targeted* market segments which the K200D and K20D are positioned for by Pentax?? which is indeed very unclear, at least to me!)
Seriously, the prices of all entry level cameras, be it Canon, Pentax, Nikon or Samsung, are almost as cheap as a compact camera, if you want it smaller and cheaper, get a compact or one of the hybrids. Sigma DP1 for example is acctually 300$ more expensive then Pentax K200D, and thats a compact camera. The technology is far superior to the compact market in most DSLR's, and I'd say they are having a hard problem already making any cash on the housings as it is. If you want to discuss prices, then lets talk lenses and miscellous accessories. Thats where the price differences will be shown.
Just check the price differences on the DA* and Canon L lenses with IS.
In short, before you make reviews, learn how to do them and how to present them. As it is now its just subjective blabbering about the whole productline from Pentax.
When I bought my K10D I did it because of two reasons, I wanted a weathersealed body with stabilisation inside the house.
The reason I bought a K10D instead of K200D is because of the K200D's weakest spot, in my opinion, the batteries, I am not at all found of the AA. But I am sure that many, many people are, especially those that travels alot.