[ogl]

K200D is not upgrade of K100D. It's strange downgrade of K10D with some from K20D.

The main difference vs K100D (K100D super)
- 10 MP APS-C sensor SONY
- Dust-proof, water-resistant construction
- ISO 100 - 1600
- LCD 2.7" 230 000 dots
- better SR (better at 1-1.5 steps), equivalent to approximately 2.5 to 4 shutter-speed steps.
- Dynamic Range Enlargement
- Comprehensive Dust Removal system with prevention, removal and confirmation devices -
with NEW Dust Alert function
- Approximately 1100 images can be taken when using AA size lithium batteries due to its energy saving design, 700 - with NiMh AA 2500 mAh
- dust-proof, water-resistant battery grip
- RAW button
- real P-shift mode
- better in-built flash functions (guide number 13)
- In-body development of recorded RAW-format images
- better NEW 14 bit PRIME
- sensor is put in SR rails hardly
- Sv mode
- GREEN button (page 96 of manual)
- step of ISO 1/2 or 1/3
- Eight digital filters
- WHITE BALANCE TUNING
- better work with folders and files
- better jpeg tuning
- 6 types of IMAGE TONE (natural, bright, portrait, landscape, vibrant, monochrome)
- pixel mapping
- avtofocus EV from -1 to 18 at ISO100 with 50/1.4 (K100D from 1 to 19 at ISO200 with 50/1.4)
- weight 630 gramm vs 560 gramm (K100D) (without batteries)
- dimensions 133.5*95*74 mm vs 129.5*92.5*70 mm (K100D)
- buffer 4 RAW vs 3 RAW (K100D)
- unlimited jpeg at 1.1 fps
- exposure compensation ±3 (±2 у K100D)
- DNG format
- shutter sound is softer
- histograms for all channels



The main difference vs К10D

- less weight and smaller dimension
- buffer 4 RAW vs 9 RAW (K10D)
- no TAv, user mode, 1 e-dial
- LCD 2.7" 230 000 dots
- power 4хАА
- penta-mirror 96% field of view and an approximately 0.85-times magnification.
- better NEW 14 bit PRIME
- sensor is put in SR rails hardly
- better jpeg
- Dynamic Range Enlargement
- Eight digital filters
- adjustable RAW button
- 6 types of IMAGE TONE (natural, bright, portrait, landscape, vibrant, monochrome)
- pixel mapping
- guide number of buil-in flash 13 vs 11 (K10D)

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Last edited by ogl; 03-15-2008 at 12:08 PM.

[Ash]

I contemplated the difference when looking for an upgrade from my K100D not long ago.
In the end I felt that the K200D was not worth the extra funds to a lightly used K10D.

Main points for me were:
1. K10D has dedicated battery grip - vertical shutter release & dials are handy (not sure about the K200D)
2. Front & rear e-dials are very useful and save a lot of menu operation to the K200D/K100D
3. Photo processing and SD card write speed are faster, with no need to rotate vertically captured pictures manually - that's saved me some time (but that may exist with the K200D, just not the K100D)
4. Li-ion battery has less 'power fading' when not used (compared with NiMH AAs - fully recharged AAs left for 2 weeks without use, would sometimes give me about 100 exposures on my K100D and then die; but then when turned off and on again, gave me a further 50 exposures - that was annoying at times)
5. Shooting RAW overcomes the problem of non-bright JPGs, and I'd rarely need to use the 6 image tones.
6. I rarely use built in flash (other than to trigger my external flash wirelessly), so the extra GN of 2 bore no weight in favour of the K200D
7. TAv mode has turned out handy, and the user mode a gem. Hyper-P mode is also fantastic! Wouldn't be without them now...

I'd say the K10D's the older pro-style body and the K200D's the newer entry-level body (which is what they were made out to be anyway). So now with the choices available, I'd suggest the K10D ahead of the K200D for those wanting a little more than what the K100D/EOS 450D/D40x/D80 has to offer...

Then I'd suggest going out to buy a nicer lens with the money saved...

[khardur]

Just to clarify:
K200D does have a dedicated grip as well w/ vertical shutter release. No dial though, (none next to the normal shutter button as well, as you already pointed out)
Photo processing and SD write times are very, very fast compared to K100 series. The image pops up on the LCD screen an instant after the exposure is taken.
Oh and it does auto-rotate photos if you shot them vertically.
I'll do a little review on it shortly, if time tonight permits.

[ogl]

The picture of K200D is better than K10D IMO. Better noise control. Jpeg is better too.
New 14 bit PRIME is working better than NuCore 22 bit.

As for me I don't care second dial. I need very good end picture.

K200D is better in hand than K100D and K10D, and smaller than K10D. Try it.
I think that Pentax made good job. K200D is really faster than K100D in every ways.
AF of K200D is not worse than K10D and maybe even more accurate. K200D has K20D's "brain" inside.

The weak point - 4-5 RAW buffer, but K200D writes very fast.
Anyway, for amateurs, 4-5 RAW is enough.
My DS has 5 RAW buffer too, but it's slow machine.

[Pentaxke]

4. Li-ion battery has less 'power fading' when not used (compared with NiMH AAs - fully recharged AAs left for 2 weeks without use, would sometimes give me about 100 exposures on my K100D and then die; but then when turned off and on again, gave me a further 50 exposures - that was annoying at times)

If you use eneloops, you can place your camera a year on the drawer and the batteries will still be in the state you left them in; that is sth you can't say for the Li_Ion solution of the K10 and many others.)

Actually: the AA solution of the K200 is the most genious Pentax could com up with, because you can use wathever battery that suits you (even Li-Ion ones...)

[Ash]

I've had the K100D - loved it, but love the 'feel' and handling of the K10D better, with or without the grip.

As the K200D is like a K100D body with an extra RAW button and the K10D sensor, I fail to see how much better the K200D's images will turn out to those on a K10D. Same ISO range. How much would K200D's DR improve on the K10D?

Definitely an upgrade from the K100D, but not much IMO to the K10D.

I've had trouble finding eneloops here in Australia - I've had to resort to the highest rating reliable AAs available, and they did the trick for at least 6 months, then their performance started declining with the power-hungry K100D. I'm sure I'd be able to get eneloops, but their price would probably be similar to a good quality replacement battery for the K10D...

[Matjazz]

One thing I'll never forgive Pentax is using pentamiror in K200D. Hope they put pentaprism in K300D.
I have DS and K100Ds and even thou at first it seems like there is a little difference, once you have some practice with both you begin to appreciate pentaprism a lot.

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Last edited by Matjazz; 03-17-2008 at 04:46 AM.

[dtra]

I've had trouble finding eneloops here in Australia - I've had to resort to the highest rating reliable AAs available, and they did the trick for at least 6 months, then their performance started declining with the power-hungry K100D. I'm sure I'd be able to get eneloops, but their price would probably be similar to a good quality replacement battery for the K10D...

tandys/dick smiths should have eneloops, also, High Powered rechargeable Batteries and Chargers | Servaas Products - High Powered rechargeable Batteries and Chargers | Servaas Products

dave

[Gooshin]

K200D is not upgrade of K100D. It's strange downgrade of K10D with some from K20D.

something ive been telling everyone for awhile now....

[ogl]

Anybody knows if EV compensation and autoISO works together in Av and Tv or not?

[BBear]

Any more inputs on the K10D x K200D ?

[wasupdoc]

Any more inputs on the K10D x K200D ?

The Jpeg IQ of the K200 is better than the K10 IMO with far more options for in camera processing and the ability to see immediately how each change or filter will affect the image. The RAW IQ is similar, although there appears to be no VPN unlike with the K10 and it seems to me that high iso noise is better controlled and in-camera noise reduction is worth using with more choice as to the amount applied. If you can live with the viewfinder and the lack of second control dial, and don't mind or actually prefer AAs, then the K200 is a better camera IMO. I had two dials on my *ist D, haven't missed it on the K200. The viewfinder hasn't presented a problem yet - might make manual focusing a little harder but I plan on getting the magnifying loupe. The 1100 shots on one set of AAs is great. Camera feels good in my hands, menu system is easy to read and intuitive and shot review is virtually instant with the ability to zoom in to check detail almost immediately. I did handle the K10 in the shop and although on paper the size of the two cameras are very similar, in actual use the K200 is noticeably smaller. I have yet to see someone compare the two side-by-side so, until then, one will have to decide whether the bias of someone who has the K200 is just as valid as the bias of the K10 owner who has never seen a K200 yet still claims that the K10 is the better camera.

[ogl]

I've already ordered k200D. EV compensation and autoISO works together like in K10D.

[ogl]

I can shoot 6-8 frames in PEF and 4 DNG, next 5 - in 1 sec later.
But camera is very fast, shutter button is better than K10D. Shutter lag is very short.
Faster than K100D and DS.

[HermanLee]

Hi OGL,

You mentioned about WHITE BALANCE TUNING in K200d
Is it different than how K100d adjust the manual WB?
Can you customize it manually, instead of just pointing it out to white surface and hoping that camera meter read it properly?
Sometimes I find it frustrating to adjust WB w/ my K100D
Thanks