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7.6 out of 10

Pentax K10D

10.2 megapixels

Information found in: from 121 sources in 27 countries

Great Deal: $646.84

  • User Score (718)
    9.4 9.4 from 718 reviewers
  • Expert Score (26)
    8.6 8.6 from 26 reviewers
  • Design (12)
    7.1 7.1 from 12 reviewers
  • Value for money (49)
    7.6 7.6 from 49 reviewers
  • Features (36)
    7.6 7.6 from 36 reviewers
  • Ease of use (39)
    7.2 7.2 from 39 reviewers
  • Performance (168)
    7.7 7.7 from 168 reviewers
  • Picture quality (184)
    7.4 7.4 from 184 reviewers
  • Durability (10)
    7.6 7.6 from 10 reviewers
  • Overall quality (10)
    7.5 7.5 from 10 reviewers
  • Playability (5)
    8.4 8.4 from 5 reviewers
  • Battery performance (6)
    8.1 8.1 from 6 reviewers
  • Display (161)
    7.5 7.5 from 161 reviewers
  • Video quality (6)
    8.4 8.4 from 6 reviewers
  • Ergonomics (161)
    7.8 7.8 from 161 reviewers
  • Equipment (2)
    6.7 6.7 from 2 reviewers
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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(14)
7-8
(12)
5-6
(0)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(590)
7-8
(92)
5-6
(15)
3-4
(14)
1-2
(3)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. neocamera.com

    review.neocamera.com
    8.0/10
    29 September 2011

    With several innovative features, the K10D distinguishes itself among its competitors. The full list of differences can be found in our 10 Megapixels DSLR Comparison feature. These unique features include: sensitivity priority mode, shutter-and-aperture priority mode (camera selects ISO), choice of program line for automatic mode, digital white-balance preview and in-camera RAW conversion. Read more

    • Natural image colors, Excellent metering accuracy, Good focus speed and accuracy, Innovative exposure modes and choice of program line, Digital white balance and depth...
    • Slightly soft JPEG images, Above average noise at ISO 1600, Slightly less dynamic range than peers, Poor automatic white-balance under artificial light, Sealed body me...

  2. What Digital Camera

    What Digital Camera
    9.0/10
    13 August 2007

    What we’re looking at here is a pair of cracking DSLRs – the Samsung GX10 and the Pentax K10D – that redefine what we should expect at this price point. If you think ‘Nikon D200 at a D80 price’ you won’t go far wrong and I’m genuinely shocked to be saying that in many ways Pentax/Samsung are now ‘class leaders’ and certainly not the ‘also-rans’ they had risked becoming. Read more

    • Professional build quality, Top-end spec, Excellent price point, Good AF system
    • Multi-area metering underexposes too easily, Occasionally wayward auto white balance

  3. Camera Labs

    Camera Labs
    8.3/10
    1 April 2007

    Pentax K10D verdict The Pentax K10D is certainly a feature-packed DSLR and one which offers a lot of bang for the buck at current online prices. You get 10 Megapixel resolution, built-in Shake and Dust Reduction, environmental sealing, two unique exposure modes and a wealth of RAW options which put other mid-range cameras to shame. Read more

    • Built-in Shake Reduction system, Dust and weather-resistant seals, Unique shooting modes and RAW options, Switches for metering and focus areas
    • Default JPEG settings lack impact, Basic metering and tendency to underexpose, No dedicated buttons for ISO or WB, Tough rivals like the Nikon D80 and Canon 30D

  4. Imaging Resource

    Imaging Resource
    1 September 2007

    The Pentax K10D is unique. It's easily Pentax's most capable SLR yet. But it's not for everyone. Tuned for the advanced photographer, or anyone wanting to discover Photography's basics, the K10D has no true "easy" mode. You have to understand white balance to use the K10D well, even in Green mode, especially indoors; so I don't recommend this camera to novices. Read more

    • Compatible with an extensive list of Pentax K lenses, Responsive with a good shutter lag time, very good shot-to-shot speed, Good color accuracy, Easy white balance ad...
    • Very warm color balance in low-lighting and warm outdoors, Auto white balance had a hard time with household incandescent lighting, Shadow detail lacking in JPEG image...

  5. Digitaltrends

    Digitaltrends
    8.5/10
    12 February 2007

    The Pentax K10D is a lightening fast Digital SLR camera that's weather resistant and features a 10MP CCD. Read more

    • 10MP D-SLR weather-resistant with built-in Shake Reduction for under $1, 000 with lens
    • Heavy; no Program AE modes

  6. DigitalCameraInfo.com

    DigitalCameraInfo.com
    12 December 2007

    - Design and feature set built logically around photographers’ needs - Dedicated RAW button - Mechanical image stabilization (Shake Reduction) - Dust Reduction - Sensitivity Priority, Aperture and Shutter Priority mode - Program Line is clever and practical - Camera can intelligently discern sharpest settings for given lens (MTF Priority) - Clever integration of Green button - Customizable Auto ISO - Shoots direct to DNG - In-camera RAW processing - Multiple infrared Read more

  7. DP Review

    DP Review
    14 August 2007

    10 megapixel APS-C CCD We fully expected and Pentax delivered, ten million pixels for their new flagship digital SLR was an absolute (marketing) requirement. Interestingly this CCD has slightly different specifications than the Sony unit used in a few other ten megapixel digital SLR's so we can't be sure of its origins. It's 23.5 x 15.7 mm with 10.75 million total pixels, 2-channel read-out. Read more

    • Smooth clean images with good color and tone, not as crisp as we would like, Robust body with dust and weather seals, high build quality, Accurate and fast auto-focus,...

  8. Pop Photo

    Pop Photo
    13 July 2011

    Camera Test: Pentax K10D27075121508PentaxK10DSince its first unveiling in September, readers and industry insiders alike have been abuzz about the feature set of the Pentax K10D ($920 street, body only). The 10.1-megapixel DSLR sports 22-bit processing, three frames per second JPEG capture-to-card capacity, weather toughness of a pro-level DLSR costing thousands more, in-camera DNG format support, sensor-shift stabilization and sensor-shake dust removal -- quite an... Read more

  9. Digital Camera Review

    Digital Camera Review
    25 March 2007

    Pentax's K10D flagship dSLR is up against some pretty stiff competition from Canon ’s EOS 30D and Nikon ’s D80 , but for many users the K10D may actually be the best deal in the mid-level dSLR class.  K10D features include 10 Megapixel resolution, image stabilization, very fast AF, an automatic CCD dust removal system, support for two RAW formats, a robustly constructed dust/weather resistant body, a super bright Pentaprism viewfinder, mirror lock-up, digital and Read more

  10. DPexpert

    7 July 2011

    The Pentax K10D is a brilliant camera. At the price it is a world-beater. It will be interesting to see how it goes in the market place where, paradoxically, its low price may count against it. Can a $1900 camera/lens combination compete with a similarly specified camera selling for $3000? Yes, it can. It is as though Pentax has returned to its origins when the company produced affordable, reliable, pioneering SLRs with outstanding lenses. Read more

    • The white balance fine tuning in this camera is a thing of beauty. If you take a photo, say under incandescent light, and you don’t like the look of it, simply go into...
    • The mirror/shutter slap is not as sweet as it might be.

  • User Reviews

  1. Must for adventure

    Amazon
    10/10
    Reviewer: Valentine McGillycuddy, Amazon
    2 weeks ago

    I have summited Crow Peak, South Dakota. Been through almost every hazardous terrain throughout the Black Hills, and have made my way through to and up and down the coast of California with this thing. The Pentax k10d is the way to go for rough and tumble photography. This camera has been in snowstorms, mountain ranges, deserts, and even right on the ocean and it was never failed to capture anything but what I shoot at. Read more

  2. Unbelievable Camera

    10/10
    Reviewer: thesil, epinions.com
    4 days ago

    I have had this camera since August of '07. I have had 3 pentax cameras in the past 18 years and the Read more

    • Feel,Quality, Versatility. Battery life
    • I really can't think of anything that I would call a con

  3. pentaxforums.com

    pentaxforums.com
    9.0/10
    Reviewer: vrrattko, pentaxforums.com
    12 July 2011

    I really liked this camera. Only thing that made me upgrade to K20d was Autofocus adjustment for multiple lenses and maybe 14.6 sensor. I shoot in RAW and mostly within ISO 100-200, sometimes 400 - so I can only praise K10d's CCD sensor. Actually i think that the images taken by K10d have bit more natural colours and the photos were cleaner at low iso than images from K20d, but the difference is negligible. Read more

    • lots of custom functions, WR, ergonomics, price, image quality
    • Autofocus precision, missing AF adjustment for multiple lenses

  4. A good workhorse

    Ebay
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: mo_waterman, Ebay
    6 September 2010

    I'm an avid photography junkie and wanted a backup to my beloved Pentax K7. I had jumped from a K100D to the K7. Myy son had a K10D and I was very impressed with the results he's been getting. As I said, a junkie but not a rich one, so price was a distinct issue. And that's where the K10D really shined at this time. It was much lower in price than the K20 (and reviewers consistently said that there was no real reason to upgrade from the K10D to the K20D). Read more

  5. LetsGoDigital

    9.0/10
    Reviewer: Ion Pirvu - Romania, LetsGoDigital
    22 November 2011

    I like the Pentax K10D so far, anyway I’m waiting for the review! So far, it is the best camera at this price... Read more

  6. "Awesome Camera!!!!"

    CNET
    10/10
    Reviewer: mdc6969, CNET
    17 December 2007

    This is a wonderful camera. I have a Pentax SLR and a Cannon digital camera. I trust Pentax. I have never had a problem with my SLR! Pentax has gone above and beyond for this camera. Once you learn the settings, your good to go. I would buy it again if I didn't already have one! Read more

    • Makes excellent pictures
    • Absolutely NONE!!!!

  7. Beautiful Camera

    B&H Photo
    10/10
    Reviewer: Ducky, B&H Photo
    16 March 2008

    Whats wonderful about the K10D is that is compatible with any of the Pentax lenses ever made. Nice solid construction unlike the Nikon D40 or the Canon Rebels which feels like toys. Bulb mode is a pluse...you can leave the shutter open as long as your battery holds up for taking shots such as star trails. The optional battery grip doubles your battery life as well as making life easier when taking portraits when holding the camera verticaly. Read more

    • Bright LCD, Comfortable Controls, Quiet, Small Lag Time, Strong Construction
    • Exposed LCD

  8. PhotoRadar

    PhotoRadar
    10/10
    Reviewer: PhotoRadar
    1 September 2007

    the pentax k10d is a powerfull digital camera that thinks different about photography than the other major brands. this is model is designed for raw photography because the straight out of the camera are a bit soft, by tweaking the settings you get a lot better jpegs than on the default settings . Read more

  9. Quality and Capability over Advertising Dollars

    Newegg
    10/10
    Reviewer: ruabuddha, Newegg
    1 February 2008

    I bought mine at a local retailer before Newegg started to carry this camera. I would recommend it to anyone. I normally operate it in full manual mode and enjoy it greatly. The lenses available are all of excellent quality and fairly priced against other offerings. I highly recommend the side-grip/battery holder, although it does increase the size, it offers a much improved shooting experience for those who want longer batter life and a better button location for... Read more

    • Captures subtlety in light like no other camera I have owned (digital). I've had mine since August and enjoy the quality to price ratio this camera offers. It's a lot ...
    • I can't think of many....... there could be less noise in the highest ISO settings, speeds above 800 demonstrate noise higher than I would want. Lowest speeds deliver ...

  10. Pentax K10D

    ReviewView
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: Anonymous, ReviewView
    11 March 2008

    If you're looking for a first dSLR or a no-brainer kit, the Pentax K10D may be too much for you, as in too much power and too expensive. But if you want to buy into an inexpensive system with a really good amateur dSLR at its hub, the K10D hits the mark. A great feature set for the price, pro-level customization, and excellent photo quality make the Pentax K10D a bargain amateur dSLR. Only unremarkable performance holds it back from joining the pack leaders. Read more

    • Excellent photo quality; well-designed and solidly built body; premium features for its price class; nice kit lens.
    • Occasional autofocus hunting; Shake Reduction only buys you a little over one stop.

  • WikiFreak Description

The Pentax K10D is a 10.2 megapixel digital SLR camera that combines great picture quality with good handling for professional photographers. The camera is powered by a long-lasting Li-ion battery, and takes SD cards for additional pictures. Neocamera rates the Pentax K10D as excellent. They note that the camera is fitted with nearly every feature possible for a digital SLR camera: stabilization, dust-reduction, weatherproofing, advanced customization, digital white-balance and depth-of-field preview, an…

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The Pentax K10D is a 10.2 megapixel digital SLR camera that combines great picture quality with good handling for professional photographers. The camera is powered by a long-lasting Li-ion battery, and takes SD cards for additional pictures. Neocamera rates the Pentax K10D as excellent. They note that the camera is fitted with nearly every feature possible for a digital SLR camera: stabilization, dust-reduction, weatherproofing, advanced customization, digital white-balance and depth-of-field preview, and an unlimited continuous drive. They also note the features that make this camera stand out from the competition: sensitivity priority mode, shutter-and-aperture priority mode (the camera automatically selects ISO), choice of program line for automatic mode, digital white-balance preview and in-camera RAW conversion.

Digital white-balance preview is particularly interesting because it allows pre visualizing the effect of white-balance, eliminating the need for taking test shots until the desired results are obtained. Digital Photography Review mentions twenty features of the camera, including an 11-point Auto Focus with nine points (in the center) which are sensitive to both horizontal and vertical detail. They also mention that the camera supports high-capacity SD cards (4GB or higher) and includes a remote control from the rear (IR sensor). To attest to it’s ruggedness, Digital Photography Review notes that the K10D body has 72 seals which provide dust and water resistance. The optional battery grip is also dust and weather resistant with 38 seals. They note that it’s clear that Pentax is competing with the likes of the Canon EOS 30D and Nikon D200. ePhotozine agrees that the K10D is packed with features that have been well thought out in a body that has been built to withstand hard use. Pentax Photo Laboratory, the included photo editing software, is surprisingly good for free software. So, overall, according to ePhotozine, the K10D is a serious advanced amateur or semi-pro camera.

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  • Manufacturer's Description

The PENTAX K10D offers advanced photo enthusiasts an array of innovations in image capture technology and camera functionality. These include a 10.2 megapixel CCD contained within the PENTAX developed Shake Reduction system that offers 2.5 to 4 stops of compensation for shooting in low light or with telephoto lenses. The new PRIME image processing engine is supported by 22-bit A/D conversion for truer color tones with richer gradation, and an improved buffer memory th…

Specifications

  • Format
    SLR
  • Max resolution
    3872 x 2592
  • Low resolution
    3008 x 2000, 1824 x 1216
  • Image ratio w:h
    3:2
  • Effective pixels
    10.0 million
  • Sensor photo detectors
    10.8 million
  • Sensor size
    23.5 x 15.7 mm (3.68 cm²)
  • Pixel density
    2.7 MP/cm²
  • Sensor type
    CCD
  • Sensor manufacturer
    Unknown

Release Date

  • First seen
    14 September 2006

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Questions asked: 1 Answers: 0

Previous questions about this product

  • Use LCD moniter instead of viewfinder

    Instead of always havign to look through the viewfinder for taking pictures, is there any ways I can look on the LCD moniter and take a picture on the screen instead, like other cameras?

    (No answers yet. Write an answer!) 2008-11-19

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