Rating: Summary: love it Review: Bought this camera right before heading to Africa for safari, then to Yellowstone. I was amazed at the clarity, even of shots taken with the max zoom. I also like the ability to make the camera "more manual" with the options of flash, no flash, panorama (which I used for Victoria Falls!!) This was perfect for getting those upclose (yet still safe) photos of wildlife as well as the typical streetscapes, people photos.Mine was just stolen and I am immediately planning to replace it with exactly what I had before.
Rating: Summary: Okay Camera but has some notable flaws Review: Camera takes great shots with the zoom, clear and sharp, but here are things you will encounter in using this camera. I own several pentax cameras, this one was a little disappointing but still use it constantly. Would of rated it higher if not for the following. One, the viewfinder is a bit dark/dim, you will have to get use to it after you use it for a while. It looks abit grayish especially if you are taking indoor shots. Outdoor shots, the viewfinder is okay. Two, when you turn the camera on, the popout flash unit will push against your fingers. This gets a little annoying especially when you turn on the camera via a turn dial on top of the camera. Three, the camera jams or fails to take a pictures sometimes, when you retrack the zoom all the way back to wide angle. What happens is when you retract all the way back to wide angle, the pop out flash unit also retracts and pops out again, but the problem is that it sometimes doesn't fully pop-out and for some reason this is tied into the shutter release button, thus if the popout flash is not all the way out, it will not take the picture. Quick solution until you can decide to send it back to Pentax for repair, manually push in and release the popout flash unit. Fourth, The quartz date function is gives several choices of date format, somewhat faint on pictures, sometimes difficult to distingush the mm or dd from one another. Fifth, this is definitely a two handed camera, due to its size due to the zoom lens capability, so you have to get use to a somewhat uncomfortable hand position when using this camera, the hand placement areas are a bit arkward and needs getting use to.
Rating: Summary: Exactly the camera I was looking for... Review: For last few weeks I had a hard time while looking for new camera I decided to buy. I wanted something compact in size, automatic, but with wider variety of functions, zooming and more options to control picture taking. At last I found this camera and realized that actually, this is what I really wanted: * it is more compact than professional cameras with changeable lenses (although it is more robust than usual automatic camera) * its modes gives you better control when taking snapshots in particular situations, where other automatic cams just don't work properly (backlit, night scenes ...) * autofocusing system and optics of this camera are of very high quality what makes pictures taken to look very sharp, with awesome colors even if using cheap low-sensitive (ISO 100) film - I tried it and the resulting snapshots were much more better as ones taken from different camera using ISO 400 film... * and finally operating this camera is very simple so you don't have to be experienced photographer to use it and still you'll be making very good pictures. This camera for example automatically finds out what type of film you are using, so you don't have to take care for almost anything when changing film (just to have a new one with you :) ). To sum up, this camera is perfect choise for ones who do not want to be a proffessional photographers but still are concerned about how do their pictures look like and want to have bigger freedom in picture-taking control while experimenting with camera. Anyway, it is not apropriate for people who just want to "press button and that's it". Of course, it is possible, but in such case you will not exploit all the features and so you don't need to pay so much, but you better buy something cheaper...
Rating: Summary: Popular Camera Review: I bought this camera after reading the comments about it on Amazon. Needless to say, now that I have it I am even more impressed. The zoom is fantastic. You have the option of having the date on your photo, you can adjust the viewer to your own eyesight - great if you have bad eyesight, and the LCD screen is great. It appears that a lot of people have the same view as I do - this camera was very hard to find in the local camera stores and Best-Buy, etc.. I'm glad I found one. This camera is perfect for those who want more flexibility than a regular old 35mm. All in all...a best buy!
Rating: Summary: A lot of bang, and some bulk, for your buck Review: I bought this camera for two reasons - a 200mm zoom in a automatic 35mm size, and for all its cool features, such as panorama and infinity clear focus, which makes it ideal for outdoor shooting. Let me tell you, though it's a little bulky (the Olympus Stylus zoom cameras are smaller), I wouldn't trade this camera for anything. If you want professional quality shots but aren't a photo pro, this is the camera for you. The Pentax lens is characteristically sharp. And despite its lightweight, it's rugged enough to go most anywhere. If you can find it, get the non-date version and save some money; I still don't understand how anyone could want the date printed on their pictures.
Rating: Summary: Frustrated camera user finds solace! Review: I had previously owned an Olympus stylus 115, a Samsung 105 and was very disappointed with the picture results. This has been an answer to our dreams! The pictures are clear, and color is great! The zoom feature is awesome! Some of the portraits we have taken are super. I couldn't be more pleased. The price is high, but it is worth it for the dependable results!
Rating: Summary: worst camera I've ever bought Review: I have an SLR camera and was looking for P&S for my parents. Not a happy user after spending $320, going to return this camera. Got average results, tried various indoor and outdoor lighting conditions as well as landscapes and portraits. As many folks have pointed out here, viewfinder is very small and awkward. I first thought that I was used to (better) SLR results and hence P&S results might not have met my expectations but upon closer inspection, it was very obvious that while 200mm zoom is handy, quality of the pictures is really average. One can get similar results with much cheaper camereas. Also note that lowest setting on this is 48mm so it was very difficult to get a group picture with in an indoor setting with limited space. Would not recommend anyone to get this camera if you are looking for quality results.
Rating: Summary: Disappointed in quality of results Review: I have an SLR camera and was looking for P&S for my parents. Not a happy user after spending $320, going to return this camera. Got average results, tried various indoor and outdoor lighting conditions as well as landscapes and portraits. As many folks have pointed out here, viewfinder is very small and awkward. I first thought that I was used to (better) SLR results and hence P&S results might not have met my expectations but upon closer inspection, it was very obvious that while 200mm zoom is handy, quality of the pictures is really average. One can get similar results with much cheaper camereas. Also note that lowest setting on this is 48mm so it was very difficult to get a group picture with in an indoor setting with limited space. Would not recommend anyone to get this camera if you are looking for quality results.
Rating: Summary: bought it, tried it, returning it Review: I liked the long built in telephoto. I liked the photo quality. I didn't like the ergonomics. It is clumsy to turn on, you need two hands and the flash bumps your hand every time which is really annoying and makes me wonder why it was made this way. The dial is really small and hard to be precise with if you're trying to be quick. Also, I can forsee that little dial getting clogged up with sand quick and needing repairs. Forget taking photos one handed. Panorama was a bit deceptive..not real panoramic shots. All in all, the photos were very clear but the style needs work as well as some other features. Not a great camera for "active" picture taking.
Rating: Summary: worst camera I've ever bought Review: I purchased this camera just before leaving for Peru and the Galapagos Islands. 25% to 30% of my photos turned out. So I've spent nearly $... for developing bad photos. The rest are blurry. I've been taking photos for years, and I wanted a zoom lens on a reliable camera rather than taking my heavy SLR. WHat a mistake. I'm returning it for a refund. I've already contacted Pentax.
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