The Pentax K110D dSLR and Pentax kit zoom
Written: Mar 15 '07 (Updated Mar 15 '07)
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Pros: Solid build-quality, depth of field preview, compatible with every K mount lens ever manufactured
Cons: Only 6 megapixels, slight shutter lag, and minor AF lag
The Bottom Line: The K110D is the cheapest dSLR currently available - less than $500.00 with the kit zoom
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| Howard_Creech's Full Review: Pentax K110D Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens |
Generations of student photographers, high school and college photo-journalists, and wannabe pro shooters honed their photographic skills with the Pentax K1000; a very basic manual exposure single lens reflex (SLR) designed to help neophyte shooters learn basic photography skills. The K1000 enjoyed one of the longest production runs of any modern camera because it was cheap, dependable, tough as nails, easy to use, and capable of producing consistently excellent results.
In 2006, thirty years after the first K1000 rolled off a production line in Japan, Pentax introduced a pair of digital doppelgangers, the Pentax K100D and the Pentax K110D. The only difference between these two entry level digital SLRs is that the K100D features an Optical Image Stabilization system and the K110D doesn't.
The K110D is up against some very stiff competition from Canon's Rebel XTi and Nikon's D40 and D50, but the K110D is dirt cheap (as low as $450.00 with Pentax DA f/3.5 - f5.6/18mm - 55mm zoom), dependable, sturdily built, and capable of producing reliably excellent results. The K110D also provides users with the ability to mount all "K" mount lenses ever made (including lots of inexpensive manual focus optics) - there are literally thousands of cheap used AF and manual focus K-mount lenses available. Nikon’s famous backward compatible F/AF mount doesn’t even come close to providing the astonishing lens selection available to K110D purchasers.
NUTS & BOLTS
Viewfinder
The K110D features a TTL (through the lens) pentamirror optical viewfinder. The K110D's optical viewfinder is bright and shows a whopping 96 percent of the image frame. The Natural-Bright Matte II focusing screen is sharp and hue accurate. The K110D's optical viewfinder provides a comprehensive status/function readout and a built-in diopter correction for eyeglasses wearers.
LCD
dSLR LCD screens generally can't be used as viewfinders (like they are with Point & Shoot digital cameras) so users must compose and frame their images using the optical viewfinder. The LCD screens on virtually all digital SLRs are used for menu navigation and post exposure image review.
The K110D's 2.5" (210,000 pixel) TFT LCD screen is bright (brightness levels can be adjusted), and hue accurate (magnification is 0.85x). I didn't like the shiny hard plastic protective LCD cover (since it makes viewing more difficult in bright lighting), but I did like the wide (140 degree) viewing angle. There's a histogram (for checking over/under exposure and dynamic range) in case the need to re-shoot arises.
Lens Mount/Optics
The K110D is compatible with KAF2, KAF, KAJ, and KA mount lenses. K-mount lenses are usable (with some restrictions) Screw mount (M-42) lenses and Pentax 67/645 optics can be mounted on the K110D with optional adapters. My K110D tests were conducted with the Pentax DA f3.5 - f5.6/18mm - 55mm kit zoom. This optic's maximum aperture (f3.5 at 18mm) is very slow and the f5.6 maximum aperture at 55 mm is even slower - like most kit zooms too slow for anything except shooting outdoors.
The Pentax DA f/3.5 - f5.6/18mm - 55mm (like most zoom lenses) is slightly soft at the maximum aperture and noticeably sharper in the center than it is in the corners. Resolution improves as the aperture gets smaller (f8.0 is the optimum aperture). There is noticeable barrel distortion at the wide-angle end of the zoom range, but no visible pincushion distortion at the telephoto end of the range. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is visible in high contrast color transition areas, especially at maximum aperture. Savvy shooters will skip the kit zoom and buy a higher quality used zoom (or even better, a couple of nice primes) on e-bay.
Auto Focus (AF)
The K110D uses the same TTL phase-matching 11 AF point Contrast Detection Auto Focus system as earlier Pentax dSLRs. The camera automatically selects the closest AF point to the subject (closest subject priority) and the selected AF point glows red once focus is locked. The K110D's SAFOX VIII AF system is relatively fast and accurate even in dim/low lighting, but there is a very slight lag between the moment the camera locks focus and the moment when the shutter fires.
Manual Focus (MF)
Manual focus is easy - just flip the A/M focus switch on the camera body to the M position, grip the focusing ring and adjust focus manually like photographers did in the old days, before auto-focus.
Flash
The K110D's built-in multi-mode (Auto, Flash-off, Flash-on, Auto Red-eye reduction, Flash-on Red-eye reduction) automatically pops up when needed - if ambient lighting isn’t sufficient or to add Fill-Flash in back lit situations. The K110D's built-in flash provides an acceptable selection of lighting options, but the fastest flash synch speed is 1/180th of a second - which is fairly slow when compared to the Nikon D50's built-in flash's fastest flash synch speed of 1/500th of a second. Guide Number is 15.6 @ ISO 200/m. Coverage is equivalent to 28MM and the maximum flash range (with an f2.8 lens) is about 16 feet.
Hot Shoe
The K110D also provides a dedicated flash hot shoe for mounting Pentax Speedlights - third party flash units can be used, but not with full compatibility.
Storage/Image File Formats/Connectivity
The K100D saves images to SD memory cards.
Images are saved in JPEG or RAW formats
USB 2.0HS and A/V out and DC in
Power/Battery Life
The K110D (unlike its competition) draws its power from four universally available Alkaline, Lithium, or rechargeable NiMH AA (or 2 long-life CR-V3) batteries. Power management is excellent. Pentax claims 430 exposures with four fully charged 2500 mAh NiMh rechargeables. I didn’t keep track of exposures so I can’t provide any specific numbers, but based on my experiences with the camera Pentax's power depth claims seem accurate.
EXPOSURE
The K110D provides users with a comprehensive range of exposure options including: Auto (automatically selects one of four common scene modes by assessing the scene in front of the lens and then calculating the optimum aperture, shutter-speed, white-balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness settings for that type of subject), Program (P&S mode with user input), Shutter Priority mode (users select the shutter speed and the camera selects an appropriate aperture), Aperture Priority mode (users select the aperture and the camera selects an appropriate shutter speed), and Manual mode (users select all exposure parameters).
In addition the K110D provides four basic Scene Modes (Portrait, Landscape, Sports, and Macro) and eight more specialized Scene Modes (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Sunset, Kids, Pets, Candle-light, Museum, and Text). Based on my use, the K110D’s Auto (Auto, Program, and Scene) modes deliver dependably accurate exposures. Exposure accuracy in the camera’s Manual Exposure (Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and full Manual) modes is largely dependent on the skill of the photographer.
Metering
The K110D provides users with TTL open-aperture 16-segment (default) Evaluative, Center-weighted & Spot metering. The (default) evaluative metering mode is dependably accurate. Like most dSLR's, the K110D's metering system sacrifices highlights to preserve shadow detail. There's a very slight tendency toward over-exposure and occasional burnt out highlights, but shadow detail is consistently excellent.
White Balance
The K110D's White Balance options include: TTL (through the lens) Auto, and user selectable settings for Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Manual, and Custom white balance.
Sensitivity
The K110D provides an adequate selection of Sensitivity settings including TTL Auto and user selectable settings for 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 ISO. Like most veteran shooters, I would have liked to see the K110D's sensitivity range start at ISO 100 and drop the rarely used (and essentially useless) ISO 3200 setting.
In-Camera Image Adjustment
In camera image adjustment options are very important because they allow savvy shooters to immediately counter environmental/lighting problems and to more precisely reflect their personal creative vision by tweaking exposure compensation, exposure bracketing, color saturation, contrast, sharpening, and white balance controls.
The K110D's Exposure Compensation option allows users to adjust exposure (which incrementally lightens or darkens the image) +/- 2EV in ½ or 1/3 EV increments to compensate for difficult lighting.
The K110D's Auto Exposure Bracketing function permits users to capture three images of the same subject (in rapid sequence) and vary exposure slightly @ +/-1.5EV (in 1/2EV increments) or +/-1EV (in 1/3EV increments).
The K110D also allows users to adjust Color Saturation, Contrast, and Sharpness.
CONTROLS, DESIGN, & ERGONOMICS
The K110D shows a very clear family resemblance to earlier Pentax *ist series dSLRs. The polycarbonate shell over metal alloy frame body should stand up to anything short of armed conflict and extreme climates. The built-in handgrip provides a secure hold and very nice balance (for right handed shooters). The Fn button, Exposure Compensation button, and e-dial (like the K110's primary controls) are logically placed, easily accessed, and quickly become intuitive.
Technical Specifications
Camera Type: dSLR (digital Single Lens Reflex)
Resolution: 6.1 Megapixels (3008x2000)
Viewfinder: TTL Pentamirror
LCD: 2.5" LCD screen
Exposure: Auto, Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual
Auto Focus: 11 AF point contrast detection
Lensmount: Pentax KAF2
Metering: 16 segment evaluative, center-weighted, and Spot
Flash: built-in multi mode and dedicated hot shoe for Pentax Speedlights
Sensitivity: TTL Auto and settings for 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200 ISO (equivalent)
White Balance: TTL Auto and user selected pre-sets for Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Manual, and Custom white balance
Memory Media: SD
Power: four (4) AA or 2 CR-V3 batteries
In the Field/Handling & Operation
I have an old friend who sells new and used photographic gear (both digital and analog) and I often get together with him to test/assess cameras and lenses. He recently turned up with a Pentax K110D and a Pentax DA f/3.5 - f5.6/18mm - 55mm zoom and asked if I wanted to accompany him on a search for signs of spring. We drove to Iroquois Park which covers a large heavily forested hill that rises more than 800 feet above the south end of Louisville. Once you are inside the park, it's easy to believe that you are out in the country, rather than completely surrounded by a suburbs. The weather was beautiful, especially after a long cold spell - blue skies, wispy white clouds, and temperatures in the sixties.
There is a small restored native mixed grass prairie area with several diminutive marshy areas near the top of the hill. This serene hilltop refuge, seemingly far from the busy streets below was still slumbering in winter’s grasp, but subtle signs of spring were starting to show here and there. We did find several clumps of brand new crocuses and some daffodils in the Highlands neighborhood on our way home.
The following day we took the Pentax K110D (and a Kodak Easyshare V803 I'm testing for another website) to Louisvile's 34th annual St. Patrick's Day parade (which is always held the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day). Simon Kenton, one of Daniel Boone's fellow "long hunters", was an Irishman. Kenton was the first of many new residents from the Shamrock Isle to settle in the Bluegrass State. The Derby City was a popular destination for Irish immigrants during most of the 19th Century, and Louisville still has large Irish population. Our local celebration has a much more provincial and proletarian flavor than those held in New York, Boston, Chicago with the spectators making up for their lack of sophistication with an abundance of enthusiasm and creativity.
We spent about three hours shooting groups of revelers traveling back and forth along Bardstown Road between the city's many Irish Pubs (most of which are located in the Highlands) We shot some very animated street images of local Hibernians showing off their home-made costumes and green hair. It's Louisville tradition that basically anyone who wants to be in the St. Patrick's Day parade, can be in the parade. We saw a Confederate flag bedecked Jeep CJ5, a very old "short bus", two antique fire engines, a king sized bed on wheels (with a reclining Bishop), a troupe of Mexican Folk Dancers, and an anti right-to-work banner covered pick-up followed by a crowd of pro-union Iron Workers. Like most outdoor events in Louisville there were almost as many dogs in attendance as there were people. We were able to shoot lots of colorful action, some of it obviously inspired by Guiness Stout and Harp Lager. The K110D rose to meet every challenge.
PERFORMANCE
Image Quality
dSLR image quality is actually much more dependent on the quality of the lens mounted than it is on the efficacy of the camera's processing and exposure systems. In addition to the K110D, I tested the K100D (with the nifty little Pentax SMC P-DA "Pancake" f3.2/21mm LE last summer and the K10D with the superb SMC P-DA f3.4/70mm LE recently - so my image quality observations are based on the K110D's image quality potential, rather than just the image quality with the Pentax DA f/3.5 - f5.6/18mm - 55mm kit zoom. This is my first experience with the Pentax kit zoom and frankly I was somewhat underwhelmed.
The K110D's image quality (with a high-quality prime lens mounted) is consistently excellent - especially at the ISO 200 sensitivity setting. Native color interpolation is excellent - colors are vibrant, bright, well saturated, hue accurate, and close to neutral. Caucasian skin tones are a tiny bit warm, but that is fairly common in amateur and entry level digital cameras. Native (default) contrast is well balanced, but slightly hard. Detail in highlight areas is very good and detail in shadow areas is excellent. Edge transitions are sharp and crisp. Noise is virtually non-existent up to ISO 400, well controlled at ISO 800, and visible but not objectionably so at ISO 1600. ISO 3200 is very noisy - ISO 3200 images are noticeably soft and colors are pastel like. Overall, Images show a wide dynamic range and very good tonal balance. I didn't notice any obvious Luminance/Chroma noise.
Timing/Shutter Lag
The K110D is quick and for most users the slight occasional shutter lag/AF lag/flash metering lag won't be a problem. Start up is virtually instantaneous. AF lock is essentially real time with pre-focus and about 1/4 to ½ a second from scratch. The K110D's very slight shutter lag won't prevent savvy shooters from capturing dramatic shots of rapidly moving action, but it may cause some heartburn for doting parents and casual shooters. Shot-to-shot and write to card times seem marginally quicker than average when shooting JPEGs, but noticeably slower than average when shooting RAW images.
A Few Concerns
The K110D (like its competition) has a few minor warts, like its slight shutter/AF lag, but overall I don't have any serious concerns.
Conclusion
The Pentax K110D is currently the cheapest dSLR available, making it the logical choice for P&S digicam users just making the jump to a serious camera. The K110D's very reasonable price, robust construction, operational simplicity, use of available anywhere AA batteries, and solid performance may actually make it a better choice than its illustrious predecessor. Shooters who want/need Image Stabilization can opt for the slightly more expensive Pentax K100D.
Recommended:
Yes
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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Howard_Creech
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Member: Howard Creech
Location: Louisville, KY
Reviews written: 333
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Photographer/Writer fascinated by Movies, Music, Books, American Diner Food, History, "Popular Culture", and Travel.
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