Photo Review Reviews section

Pentax K-x

9 Rating

A compact, feature-rich DLSR camera that comes in white, bright red and dark navy as well as basic black.Ever the innovator, Pentax is the first company to offer a DSLR camera in colours other than black and grey. The 12.4 megapixel K-x model will be available in a choice of white or black, as well as bright red and dark navy. Its small body makes the K-x one of the most compact, lightweight models in its class. However, this camera also provides heaps of in-camera adjustments plus the ability to record HD video clips.

Pentax K-m

8.5 Rating

A compact, entry-level DSLR with straightforward controls and plenty of novel features to satisfy more adventurous photographers.Pentax has used many features from last year’s K200D as the basis of its new K-m DSLR. The sensors, viewfinders and LCD screens in both cameras are the same. However, the K-m is pitched more at first-time DSLR owners. It’s as easy to use as an advanced digicam and offers some novel functions – including a swag of digital filters. But some features have been downgraded from its predecessor.

Pentax K-7

8.5 Rating

A sophisticated DSLR camera with controls and functions for knowledgeable photo enthusiasts.The K7 enters the Pentax range as a high-end model targeted at photo enthusiasts because its complexity makes it most suitable for experienced SLR photographers. Featuring a solid metal body, weatherproof sealing and a wide range of user-adjustable controls, it also supports high-speed continuous shooting at up to 5.2 frames/second and HD video recording at 30 frames/second. Pentax has also improved many of the components and functions that made earlier models attractive buys.

Pentax K20D

9 Rating

A ruggedly-built, high-resolution DSLR with live viewing plus some innovative and useful shooting functions.Pentax has designed its 14.6-megapixel K20D model to appeal to demanding photo enthusiasts but many of its features will also appeal to professional photographers. Like the earlier K10D model, the K20D is built to resist dust and moisture with seals protecting 74 different parts of the camera body. Physically the two cameras are similar, with identical body dimensions, although the new model has a larger LCD and is five grams heavier than its predecessor.

Olympus E-420

8.5 Rating

An affordable, ultra-compact camera that is ideal for newcomers to DSLR photography and provides above-average picture quality.Announced early in March, the Olympus E420 replaces the E-410 model at the entry level in the Olympus DSLR line-up, providing several worthwhile updates and a lower price tag. Like its predecessor, it’s claimed as the world’s smallest and thinnest interchangeable-lens DSLR camera and sports a 10-megapixel Live MOS sensor. As such, it will appeal to photographers who wish to upgrade from a compact digicam.

Nikon D80

8.5 Rating

Many of the assets of Nikon’s D200 model in a lower-priced model with a ‘quality’ look and feel.An interesting mix of point-and-shoot and serious camera, Nikon’s D80 has been touted as a ‘little sister’ to the D200 model and offers many of the same features and the ‘quality’ feel users have come to expect from Nikon DSLRs. Like most recently-released competitors it sports a 10.2 megapixel sensor (CCD type) and a 2.5-inch LCD. Although closer in size to the D50 than the D70s, which it replaces, the D80 comes with the D200’s powerful EN-ELe battery, 11-point AF system and support for wireless flashes.

Canon EOS 500D

8.5 Rating

A capable DSLR for photographers who require a broad range of adjustable functions plus Full HD video recording.Announced in late March, Canon’s EOS 500D is another ‘in-betweener’ model, like the Nikon D5000 and Olympus E-620 we reviewed recently. Positioned between the 450D and the 50D, the EOS 500D offers the same effective resolution of 15.1 megapixels as the EOS 50D, the same DiG!C 4 image processor and the same Full High Definition movie recording capabilities as the EOS 5D Mark II.

smc Pentax-DA L 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens

8 Rating

A compact, ultra-lightweight telephoto zoom kit lens for Pentax DSLR cameras.Most people will acquire the smc Pentax-DA L 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED lens in the twin lens kit with one of Pentax’s DSLR cameras. However, the kit lens supplied for review with the K-m camera body looked a little different from the lens shown on Pentax’s website. Like the 18-55mm kit lens, the test lens lacked the green band around the rear edge of the zoom ring and focus markings in metres and feet in front of the focusing ring and no lens hood was provided.

Pentax Optio 750Z

With its lightweight aluminium alloy body and smart ‘retro’ look the Pentax Optio 750Z will attract many buyers. The 7-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom lens and vari-angle monitor give this camera added appeal. The mode dial accesses 10 shooting modes: P, A, S and M modes, a User mode where up to three frequently-used functions can be registered, a Picture mode with12 scene settings, Panorama assist and 3D image functions, and a digital filter mode with nine colour settings. The Movie mode has two settings – VGA and QVGA – each with frame rates of either 30fps or 15fps. The well-designed menu includes two innovative controls: a ‘focus limiter’ setting that lets users restrict the lens movement to a specified distance range, and a digital exposure metering mode.

smc Pentax-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens

8 Rating

A lightweight standard zoom kit lens for Pentax DSLR cameras.The smc Pentax-DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6AL lens supplied for us to review with the K-m camera body was not quite the same as the lens that is sold as a stand-alone item and shown on Pentax’s website. There was no green band on the review lens and no focus markings in front of the focusing ring and, although the dimensions of the review lens matched those of the lens listed on the Pentax website, it appeared to be less refined.