Pentax K10D Review

For the opportunity Pentax K10D Review Many thanks to Alexander Perever.

View Pentax K10D

View Pentax K10D

The Pentax K10D was released back in the fall of 2006, and in 2007 the Pentax K10D was voted the best camera of the year, so the K10D is a pretty interesting model. When you pick up the Pentax K10D you feel that the camera is weighty, very well assembled. Pentax K10D is positioned as a semi-professional model, the same as Nikon D80 or Canon 30D. By the way, the camera really resembles something like cameras Canon 10D, 20D, 30D. At the moment, the Pentax K10D is outdated. In early 2012, it can only be found on the secondary market for a modest price of 300-400 USD. And the camera has a full clone - this is Samsung GX-10.

View Pentax K10D from different sides

View Pentax K10D from different sides

Pentax K10D has on board:
1. CCD with 10 megapixels... The Pentax K10D is a camera from the days when manufacturers made cameras with CCD sensors. 10MP is more than enough for basic photography tasks, I personally still shoot at 10MP Nikon D80, D200... Anyone who has already come across SLR cameras will understand that the difference between 8 and 12 megapixels is very small. I will say more, it is very difficult to feel the difference even when printing, here is a good example in the article megapixel battle.

Photo on Pentax K10D

Photo on Pentax K10D

2. Pentax K10D - APS-C type camera. Crop factor 1.5x camera. And this means that when using it, you need to take into account the decrease in the viewing angle that the lens gives. For example, when using SMC Pentax-M 1: 1,4 50mm on the Pentax K10D, the viewing angle will be smaller, and EGF will match a 75mm lens at full frame. More details in the article about crop factor. It is a pity that the window is already 2012, and Pentax has not released a full-frame camera. But Pentax has a Pentax 645D medium format camera.

Photo on Pentax K10D

Photo on Pentax K10D

3. The camera has built-in focus motor, which allows you to focus with non-motorized lenses. For example, the camera will focus with a motorless Pentax SMC-FA 50mm f / 1.4. This will save on autofocus lenses and use old non-motorized film cameras.

Photo on Pentax K10D

Photo on Pentax K10D

4. Good build quality... The bottom of the camera reads Made in Philipine. When using it, it feels like the camera was made to last. The Pentax K10D is one of the first APS-C cameras from Pentax, and most likely they did it conscientiously. Also, on the bottom of the camera there is a rubber cap for attaching the battery pack. Bat block can be purchased separately. And most importantly, the camera has dust and moisture protection - a powerful argument when choosing a camera.

Pentax K10D sample photo

Pentax K10D sample photo

5. The limits ISO range 100-1600. When manually setting ISO, you can select intermediate values, such as 160, 640, etc. A nice feature of the camera is that in automatic mode can be set both the maximum permissible ISO and the minimum. This is very convenient and useful, the adjustment is very simple, using the front and rear selectors. Regarding the so-called working ISO, in the camera itself, ISOs higher than 400 are marked in yellow, which hints that it is better not to shoot them. Noise is already noticeable on ISO 400. You can shoot on ISO 1600, but very carefully. The camera cannot boast of a clean picture at high ISO.

Pentax K10 D sample photo

Pentax K10 D sample photo

6. White balance can be set automatically, or choose from a large number of typical settings. Also, it can be set by a pattern. BB the camera guesses more or less normal.

Pentax K 10 D sample photo

Pentax K 10 D sample photo

7. Pentax K10D has optional monochrome display, the benefits of which are difficult to overestimate. The monochrome display is a sign of good ergonomics. It is very convenient for me to use it. The display has a backlight that is activated by the correction button exposure.

Pentax K10D sample photos

Pentax K10D sample photos

8. The main display in 2.5 inches and a total of 210.000 points. The display is quite normal at that time. But for today it is still small and with poor viewing angles. I do not recommend viewing the footage on it.

Pentax K10D sample photos

Pentax K10D sample photos

9. The camera has a menu for editing footage. You can correct the RAW footage. For novice photographers and ordinary people, this is a nice little thing. For example, I recently found out that on my Nikon D200 there is no such menu and I couldn’t play with the RAW settings of the image in the camera.

Photo at Pentax K10D

Photo at Pentax K10D

10. The camera can shoot in the spirit of RAW modes - DNG and PEF. Special thanks to Pentax for the opportunity to shoot in DNG, as he somehow approached the solution of the problem of standardizing RAW data. Who doesn't know, DNG is a unified RAW format that any processing program should read. Average RAW with extension DNG weighs 16MB and PEF weighs 12MB.

Photo taken at Pentax K10D

Photo taken at Pentax K10D

11. Frame buffer. For me, only the buffer for shooting in RAW is important. If you choose DNG, then the camera places 11 pictures, in PEF format only 9. This is a good indicator for a camera with this age. This allows the camera to shoot without braking for the first 3-4 seconds.

Photo taken at Pentax K10D

Photo taken at Pentax K10D

12. 3.3 frames per second... Not much, but enough. 3 fps is quite enough for amateur purposes. Considering that for a higher rate of fire, a larger buffer is needed, and this increases production costs, then 3 frames is just right for a camera of this type. For example, I am not chasing rate of fire and still shoot with Nikon D40 with its 2.5 frames per second. Just keep in mind that only professional photographers need a rate of fire; two frames per second are enough for an ordinary person. Always remember that it is not important what to photograph, but important how to take pictures.

Pentax K10 D sample photos

Pentax K10 D sample photos

13. The camera uses SD HC cards. My Pentax K10D made friends without problems with a 16 GB card SD HC class 10. When shooting in RAW, it is always important to have a large memory card, or several spare ones.

Pentax K10 D sample photos

Pentax K10 D sample photos

14. Pentax K10D has a built-in image stabilizer, which helps increase shutter speed by 2-4 steps. With any lens you can use image stabilizer. This is very important when take off hands... And there is no need to buy lenses with stabilizers, everything is already built in. A very useful thing. But personally, I am of the opinion that in the Pentax K10D the stabilizer actually works at about 2 stops. The stabilization mode is activated by a special button on the camera body.

Photo taken at Pentax K10D

Photo taken at Pentax K10D

15. Pentax K10D has an unusual matrix cleaning function... It can be configured to turn the camera on or off. When you hold the Pentax K10D camera in your hands, you really feel that something is working in the middle and I think it cleans the matrix. But this is not a panacea, the matrix will have to be cleaned manually after a year or two of using the camera. Unlike many other cameras, here you can really hear how the dust shaker cleaning system works.

Photo at Pentax K10D

Photo at Pentax K10D

16. Autofocus has 11 focus points. It is quite enough for convenient work, while 9 of them are cruciform. Autofocus is great. There are different modes of its operation.

Photo at Pentax K10D

Photo at Pentax K10D

17. A lot of useful pleasant things. The camera has a special button to switch between RAW and JPEGThe battery cover and memory card cover are very well protected against accidental opening. There is excellent snapshot preview function - done by turning the inclusion lever even further. In this case, you can see the finished result of the image without saving it, or view the depth of field - for a simple and effective solution to preview the depth of field and the image, I give Pentax a bold plus. Also, the Pentax K10D has a button under bracketing and function multiple exposures.

Photo on Pentax K10 D at high sensitivity

Photo on Pentax K10 D at high sensitivity

18. The camera has the ability to work with manual optics. Econometrics and focus confirmation work. The only thing with old Pentax lenses is that the camera does not read aperture values. For older M42 or M39 thread mount lenses, the Pentax system is one of the best because it measures exposure and gives focus confirmation. For example, some Nikon cameras do not measure exposure and lose infinity with manual optics for M42 threads, and Canon cameras do not provide focus confirmation.

Photograph by Pentax K10 D

Photograph by Pentax K10 D

19. SV, TAV modes on the wheel control shooting modes. Unusual modes give priority to ISO sensitivity when selecting the desired exposure. Exposure at the camera from 30 seconds to 1 \ 4000 seconds. 1 \ 4000 is sometimes not enough in order to shoot on a fast lens during daylight hours. Minimum excerpt when synchronizing with flash is only 1 \ 180 seconds. For example, simple Nikon D40 can shoot with flash at 1 \ 500.

Photograph by Pentax K 10 D

Photograph by Pentax K 10 D

20. The battery is quite powerful, can easily withstand 1000 frames without a flash. It all depends on how to use the camera during filming, as well as on the lens that is used on the camera.

Pentax K10 D sample photos

Pentax K10 D sample photos

21. Measurement exposure Pentax K10D is pretty well implemented. He is mistaken very rarely. The built-in exposure meter has only 16 segments, but this does not interfere with giving the correct exposure metering.

Pentax K 10 D sample photo

Pentax K 10 D sample photo

All examples of photos in this review were taken on a Pentax K10D without processing (automatic conversion from RAW and JPEG with a reduction in size and adding a watermark from EXIF) You can also see sample photos on the Pentax K10D in galleries:

Prices for modern Pentax cameras in popular stores can look at this link.

In comments Can I ask you a question on the topic and you will answer, and you can also express your opinion or describe your experience. Many little things for a photo can be found on AliExpress.

UPDATED

Examples of photos on Jupiter 37A 3,5 / 135 and camera Pentax K10D a photographer shared with readers of Radozhiva Yuri Leo.

Results

Pentax K10D - a great option for your money. Suitable for those who like to use manual optics. Pentax K10D has low operating ISO values. But the camera has a built-in image stabilizer and well-designed ergonomics.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Lyudmila

 

 

Comments: 68, on the topic: Pentax K10D review

  • Vitalik

    Some time ago I also became the owner of this camera, I just got it on the occasion for mere pennies. What can I say, from my Sapop 550D it is distinguished by completely different colors in the pictures. Yes, I do not argue, and on Sapop after fiddling in Photoshop everything is OK, but here immediately in JPG there is almost always a beautiful picture by color (CCD matrix). Since I am a collector of manual optics, almost everything from my arsenal fit with the exception of a few Nikon and Yashica lenses. All M42 optics (including Soviet, CZ and Meyer - with an adapter) and with a Pk mount (Pentax, Ricoh, Cosina, Tomioka, Chinon, Tokina, Soligor, etc.) Focus speed is not important to me, so I I focus with the handles and have the ability to shoot with lenses with aperture 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.7 / 1.9 / 2.0 with excellent picture quality (as for me).

    I would also like to mention the possibility of replacing the focusing screen (FE) on this unit.
    When focusing on the OVI, I have a small back focus (everything is OK with the sensor), I decided to put a film shot from a Kosin film instead of a standard matte PV

  • Vitalik

    -th FE camera with wedges (sawn to APS-C size) and at the same time selecting backing thickness to remove back focus.
    I think the good advice in the comments about the careful handling of this type of stubs. Did not know.
    10 megapixels do not bother me in any way with their "small" size - people still shoot at 6 megapixels Pentaxes (ist Ds, K100D Super) and get excellent shots.
    In general, it is not in vain that they say that Pentax cameras are for the soul. ;)

  • Andrei

    I want to buy a used Pentax K20D. Beginner “photographer”. Is it worth it?

  • Abdullah

    DEAR HAPPINESS AND DR. OWNERS OF PENTAX 10. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ROLE IN THE ANTI-VISITING MACHINE IS NEVER THIS INFORMATION

    • abdullah 2

      but the truth ... what is the role of this function ... is it really a secret behind 7 seals?

      • Michael

        Still its name, so it was possible to understand

        • Valentine

          Anti-displacement function. Needed for correct operation of the stabilizer with manual lenses. Hands set the focal length of the lens (one of 34 suggested values), after which the stabilizer in the camera can more accurately compensate for the shake. Instruction, page 69.

  • anonym

    Arkady Shapoval! Many THANKS for the excellent k-10 analysis.

  • Ivan

    Lads, please - tell me. Which of the two cameras should you choose - K10 or K20. The latter has interesting innovations, but the CMOS matrix and not the CCD. What is actually better to buy if you plan to use the second camera for manual?
    Or not to waste time on trifles and take K5 - the difference is 150 bucks ...

    • a guest

      it's better not to be fooled and buy a Samsung GX-10. with the right approach, a very decent device. You can find it with a funny mileage and a whale lens for 280 bucks. For shooting smartly - I recommend.

  • Andrei

    Tell me, dear, which memory card will the pentax k10d work correctly, Thanks

  • boris

    Hello Arkady! Thank you for
    painstaking work and integrity. I am amazed by the parasites — give them this, tell me something — let each of them do the analysis
    any camera, but you can make corrections to their thoughtlessness.

  • Lyudmila

    Hello, please tell me which Autofocus fast aperture portrait is suitable for Pentax K20D?

  • anonym

    Pentax SMC DA 50mm f / 1.8
    Pentax SMC FA 50mm f / 1.4
    Pentax SMC DA 70mm f / 2.4 Limited
    Pentax SMC DA * 55mm f1.4 SDM
    Pentax SMC FA 77mm f / 1.8 Limited

    Sigma and Tamron recommend beware. You can look for something from the old film in the range of 50-85. Do you need autofocus, and even on the pentax for high-speed portraits? All the same, it will be smacked :) Takumar smc 55 1.8 is worth a penny, draws not badly though without autofocus.

  • Sergei

    No options - FA 77mm f / 1.8 Limited
    I would leave from this list, in descending order of price and subjective "prettiness" of the picture
    DA 70mm f / 2.4 Limited - for a price compromise
    DA 50mm f / 1.8 - for price and relative versatility

  • Mark

    Thank you so much for the tips and review!)
    Recently, for a very modest fee, I became the proud owner of this camera)
    The stabilizer was much more effective
    Good is more effective than expected, each switch has its own toggle switch, colors on the head and more interesting than the next kmop matrices) Good shots, gentlemen)

  • anonym

    Sorry, I'm completely new. Here, in the calculator of the required focal length, they ask what type of my camera (k10d) I don’t even know what type of my camera. In the review, I did not find or did not understand what I mean .. http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/ru/tutorials/camera-lenses.htm

    • Jury

      Read the third paragraph of this review (2. Pentax K10D - APS-C type camera. Crop factor for the camera is 1.5x ... ..)

      • Alexey

        Yuri, thanks. Yet it is written in black and white, but it comes slowly))

  • Alexey

    Is it possible to manually adjust sharpness using the Tamron 70-300 lens in macro mode?

    • Lynx

      it is possible .. either with a wheel or simply sliding-moving the lens away from the object.

  • Alexey

    Sorry for asking such questions. The answer is already there.

  • Dante's cat

    Filmed with such a device.) True, not very long - about 3 months, although this was enough for familiarization. Helios 44M was bought into a bundle. I personally agree with all the points in the review - the camera is really comfortable, pleasant, with a good and clean picture. Personally, I really like that you do not need to edit the material after the color. That is, purely theoretically, you can immediately shoot in JPEG. But I would like to add one point about manual optics. Yes, the Pentax measures exposure with it and works in aperture priority. BUT. It does not display the metering bar in the viewfinder. Option two. In the menu, you can set the wheel rotation value for the ON position: it is either viewing the depth of field in the viewfinder, or on the screen when the camera does not save the picture. So, when the first option is installed and the lever is moved to this position with manual optics, the metering value appears, though it will not be possible to change it visually. I was somewhat unpleasantly surprised. Because my Fuji S5, for example, shows the metering line without any troubles. Yes, even the sync speed with the built-in flash is small. And all would be fine, but personally on my device the flash was just brutally powerful. Even with a correction of -3, she knocked out everything that was near 2-5 meters into a solid white spot. And the third point. When working with manual optics, the device will be guided ONLY at the center point. You can ask another, but he will not respond to this. By the way, the confirmation is accurate and with a tweeter. My Fujai is not enough tweeters, or I don’t know how to turn it on. Actually, the uncomfortable minuses end there.) There was an old dream to use Pentax and it came true. By the way, about tuning BB. In the menu, you can pre-set 3 temperature options according to Kelvin. And most importantly, this very temperature is very convenient to adjust. The device takes the last shot or a snapshot from the preview, displays it on the screen, and on top produces a square with multi-colored corners and a grid. Corners: blue, green, yellow and red. Use the joystick to move the point of intersection of the lines along the grid and get a visual display of exactly how the picture will look. Well and most importantly, the device is now really cheap. True, Pentax optics in Russia can go broke and its choice is not as rich as that of Nikon or Canon. But this is worth the money optics. In addition, I did not compare prices, maybe somewhere in these systems parity. Before the recent acquisition of Fuji, I thought about what to take: the newer K20D or Fuj. For me, the zoom over-width was important. He is not rich in Pentax, and the prices caused a quiet out. In addition, I did not want to get off the Nikon mount (I also have a Nikon N8008 film). Now, yuzaya Fuj, I, as a pure amateur and not a professional, feel Fujik as a very monstrous and powerful apparatus for adjusting the picture, and indeed. Pentax in this regard is much simpler, like a teddy bear.) Personally from my bell tower, I believe that on the skinton Fuj in the first place. On the second Pentax and on the third Canon. In any case, the Pentax is a very worthwhile device and it honestly fulfills the money invested in it. A. And the last addition to those who have read this treatise to the end.) Recently, we compared the pictures of K5 and the old * ist D. I don’t remember the site - dig in the Pentax group in VK. So. In terms of DD and color * ist D turned out to be stronger and more pleasant than the K5go.

  • Dmitriy

    Arkady, in your opinion, will be able to compete with this Pentax Nikon D200, which I had the previous camera?

  • Sandis

    I use Nikon D700, D200, D3310, FujiFilm FPX S5Pro, I recently bought Pentax K10, the most honest skinton. Nikon pulls Magenta, Fuji is capricious and wayward, Pentax - Cheap and cheerful! :)

  • Pavel2173

    My first DSLR. The color rendition is very interesting, one might say, unique, although not everyone likes it. Excellent body materials, good battery, pretty smart kit lens for a start. The display is pretty average, though not really needed. Autofocus just did not get anywhere, even in good light, so I twisted it with my hands. On the machine, the metering is constantly lying, and quite a lot. I miss him, no matter what ...

    • Alexander

      Ahah!))))

  • Pavel2173

    First love ... In those years it seemed that there was no better love. You gave her flowers, carried her in your arms .. Look at her in ten or fifteen years and you will understand everything. But she will still remain the first, albeit not ideal ...

  • Yura

    Arkady, you are so kindly writing about leather technology, which can pass through your hands, you immediately want to buy the whole flea market))

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