Pentax K10D Review

Handling & ease of use:
You only have to lift this camera to know it’s a serious bit of kit. It’s very solid and heavy – think Canon EOS 5D or Nikon D200 – with a beautiful balance and firm hold helped by the large, rubberised handgrip. The styling of the K10D is very different to previous Pentax models, with strong curves and obvious attention given to small details. It all works to give the Pentax the look and feel of a real working tool. This is reflected in the quality of the controls – the buttons are all well-sized and clearly marked, while the dials have a very positive action. The K10D has been designed for rigorous use and boasts a metal chassis and over 70 weatherproof rubber seals around the various buttons and dials to ensure water and sand cannot get behind the controls. The viewfinder is large and bright, with frames on the screen providing an indication of the area covered by the 11 AF sensors and the spot meter. However, the actual autofocus points aren’t marked on the screen and the illuminated red LEDs only become visible once the AF point is activated. Along the base is a green strip that provides a wealth of exposure information, including an exposure compensation scale and a frame-remaining counter.
As we’ll discover shortly, the K10D boasts an extensive specification and so it’s no surprise to find it has a fair number of control buttons, with the majority found on the rear. Thoughtful design has ensured that despite the number, the camera isn’t too intimidating for users, although I’d suggest you keep the instruction manual with you for a while, mainly because there are so many options available to you.
As you’ll discover, the small (function) button on the camera’s rear allows you access to many of the major camera facilities, which greatly increases speed of use.
While many of the newer SLRs have done away with a traditional top-plate LCD panel in favour of placing exposure information on the rear LCD, Pentax have stuck to using the two LCD system. The rear LCD monitor is a big and bright 2.5in affair and, used with the buttons along its left side, displays images as well as a wealth of colourful menu screens.

Features:
The K10D is not only packed with features but also several innovations (see K10D innovations). At its heart is the APS-C sized 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor, which delivers an image resolution more than suitable for A3 prints. Looking at the exposure system, there are all the usual modes you’d expect to find, as well as two completely new ones based around the ISO rating. Sensitivity Value (SV) allows you to set an ISO value and the camera automatically sets the aperture and shutter-speed. Aperture & shutter priority (TAV) works the opposite way around – you set the aperture and shutter speed you want to use and the camera selects the ISO rating that gives the correct exposure.
Below the exposure mode dial is a small selector switch for choosing one of three metering patterns – 16-zone multi-pattern, spot and centre-weighted average. Standard overrides such as autoexposure bracketing and exposure compensation are also available.
The autofocus system is based on an 11-point system and covers a very wide area of the frame. There is the option to choose between having all or individual points active via a selector switch above the four-way controller on the camera’s rear. What’s worth noting is that of these 11 points, the central nine use the more sensitive cross-type sensor that measures across horizontal and vertical planes. Normally, only the central point has a cross-type, so this is a real benefit. The integral flash offers a good range of features such as second-curtain synchronisation and flash compensation and these are easily set using the Fn button, four way controller and LCD monitor.
The K10D offers far more in terms of features than there is room to describe here, so check the specification panel on page 123 for further details.

Performance:
In many areas, the Pentax performs extremely well. The autofocus is very quick and locks on positively to the subject, so no complaints there. The Shake Reduction system works well too and I was able to confidently shoot with a shutter speed around three stops lower than I’d normally use and get sharp results. I’ve always found the Pentax 16-zone multi-pattern meter to deliver consistent results but I did find that the K10D had a tendency to underexpose by around a stop when a fair amount of sky (around 1/4 of the frame) was included in the image. It was possible to compensate for this easily when converting RAW to JPEG, but that shouldn’t be necessary. I found I was often using the spot meter and AE-L (Autoexposure Lock) in situations where I’ve come to expect a multzone meter to take care of it for me, so it’s something to watch out for.
In terms of image quality, the K10D is capable of extremely high quality results. The level of detail is excellent, colour reproduction is very natural and the tonal range is very good too. Noise isn’t evident up to ISO 400 and isn’t too obvious at ISO 800, but at ISO 1600 it becomes very noticeable. In terms of overall image quality, I found that with very close scrutiny (ie high magnification of images) there is a difference in the amount of detail captured depending on the file format you shoot in. To get the best from the K10D, I’d recommend you shoot in RAW and select the ‘DNG’ (Adobe’s universal RAW format) as opposed to PEF (Pentax’s RAW format). Why? Well, images shot in JPEG, as well as those shot in RAW and converted using Pentax’s software, exhibit slightly less sharpness (most noticeable in edge sharpness) than those shot in RAW and converted in Photoshop. You can shoot in RAW (PEF format) and convert using the Pentax software, but I found following the Photoshop route did produce more detailed results.The difference isn’t marked, but can be seen when images are blown up yo very high magnifications. Unless you plan to make large prints, and by that I mean A3+ and larger, it’s probably something you won’t notice too much. 
Overall, I am very impressed by the Pentax K10D. It represents a major step forward by Pentax and has what it takes to give its big-brand rivals a strong challenge. In terms of features, its ahead of the pack and in experienced hands is capable of producing superb results.

K10D INNOVATIONS
Shake Reduction: The K10D 
is the latest DSLR to include a shake reduction system within its body. This means that you can reduce shake with any lens attached to the camera. The system is claimed to have between 2-4 stops benefit and works by moving the sensor to compensate for camera shake.
Image Preview: The on/off control has a third setting for engaging depth-of-field preview. A custom function allows you to change its function so that it takes an image preview, which is then displayed on the LCD monitor.
Dust Removal: A three-stage system prevents dust from settling on the sensor. First, the surface  of the CCD sensor has a special coating that prevents dust from settling. Secondly, electromagnetic vibrations shake particles off the sensor’s surface, which then falls and sticks to an adhesive sheet.
Weather-resistant body: 72 seals around the K10D’s body provides protection from dust, water and humidity. A further 38 seals are found on the optional battery grip.
Processing power: The K10D uses a ‘PRIME’ processor for processing images quickly. It processes images using 22-bit conversion (most cameras use 12-bit) to give what’s claimed to be an extended tonal range.

K10D Creative options
Bracketing: As well as autoexposure bracketing, you can also bracket contrast, saturation, sharpness and white balance.
Raw  converter: Convert Raw files to JPEG in-camera and specify variables such as resolution, White Balance, Sensitivity and contrast.
Multiple  exposure: Very few digital SLRs offer the opportunity to take multiple exposures. The K10D is one of this elite group, allowing you to shoot up to five shots on the same frame.
Digital Filters: Viewed by some as gimmicks, digital filters, when used well, can add to the fun and creativity of your photography. The K10D’s selection includes monochrome and sepia toning, as well as a soft-focus filter.


TEST VERDICT
The Pentax K10D has plenty going for it. 
Build quality is superb and the range of features really give it an edge over its 
nearest rivals. The inconsistent multi-zone meter let it down a little and care must 
be taken to get the best from it, but there 
is no denying it’s a supremely capable 
machine and superb value for money.

Handling: 23 out of 25
Features: 22 out of 25
Performance: 21 out of 25
Value for money: 23 out of 25
OVERALL: 89%

Pentax K10D Specification
Type: Interchangeable lens digital SLR
Lens mount: Pentax KAF2 mount
CCD sensor: 23.7x15.7mm with total of 10.75-million pixels. Features Opto-mechanical sensor with Shake Reduction function
Effective pixels: 10.2-million pixels
Max image size: 3872x2592 pixels
Effective length increase formats: 1.5x
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level type. 0.95x magnification & 95% frame coverage
Autofocus: 11-point AF (SAFOX VIII) with nine cross-type sensors. AF range: -1 to +18EV. Automatic and manual focus point selection, spot focus. Focus mode: AF.S (Single); AF.C (Continuous); Manual focus
Exposure modes: Program, Hyper Program, aperture- & shutter-priority; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, Sensitivity priority and Manual
Metering: 16-segment, spot and centre-weighted average. Metering range: 0-21 EV
Flash: P-TTL autoflash. Guide Number 15.6 at ISO 200; flash coverage 28mm (35mm equivalent)
White Balance: Auto, or manual, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, 3 settings for Kelvin & Mired with fine adjustments
Storage media: SD (supports SDHC)
File formats: Raw (PEF, DNG), JPEG, DCF, RAW + JPEG
ISO Range: 100-1600
Shutter range: 1/4000 to 30sec plus Bulb. Flash sync: 1/180sec
LCD Monitor: 2.5in 210,000 pixels TFT
Power: Rechargeable Lithium-ion     (D-LI50) battery
Other features:
Dust Reduction; Shake Reduction; Exposure compensation (+/-2EV); depth-of-field preview; mirror lock-up; digital filters (b&w, sepia etc); 32 custom functions
Dimensions: 141.5x101x70mm
Weight: 710g (body only)