Some people ask about my equipment, and I won't deny, I've been a Pentax fanboy since I started using my Dad's K1000 SLR in the early 1990's. Nothing special about that old brick, but I took it to college with me, and used it for photojournalism for the Arkansas Traveler my first year (before I got a "proper" camera for the mid 1990's). I figure anyone who is using a brand, should enjoy the camera, and it's accessories. If not spend the money on something else, lot's of good camera equipment out there.
I've also owned and shot Nikon (N90s, D1H), still do, and I find the ergonomics and basic photographic setup of Pentax and Nikon quite similar. Although, I'm more of a Nikon apologists than a fanboy.
Anyway, the point of prefacing with that was the K200D was announced today and while it's just an announcement, if like all previous Pentax models it's well built, offers good image quality, and a good value it might be a camera to look into for outdoors enthusiast.
The reason, Pentax produced the only sub $1000 DSLR (K10D) with weather sealing (72 seals in all, same as the $8000 Canon 1D) and a 100,000 life shutter, and now it's produced the worlds SMALLEST DSLR with weather sealing the K200D.
At first look it appears to be a dumbed down K10D and it does take on many of the features, but it's actually not, lots of differences including the ergonomics, and you probably can get a K10D for less money now (used or new), but it's the size and the battery type that's impressive and the reason why I'm passing it along.
The K10D isn't big (only 3oz heavier than the K200D), but it just barely fits in my TLZ Mini with a little push, the older ist D is closer in size to the K200D (actually to be fair, probably halfway between the two), and I basically have room for 2 of them in the TLZ Mini with the DA* 21mm attached.
One other thing...on 4 AA lithiums (not sure if it takes CR-V3 lithium rechargeable yet) it gets 1100 shots. I took my ist D this summer paddling because it's tiny and uses AA batteries (about 800 shots on 4 lithiums) and I could keep my batteries homogeneous. That is, I could use my AA lithiums for headlamps, flash, 2way radios, GPS, and pretty much anything else that I carried. AA Lithiums give equal performance all the way till -40F so they are somewhat superior in winter as well other Lithiums, and especially to NiMH. And while they cost more, they weight less for extended trips.
That's the scoop, and a warning, while the preproduction models are out, and being used by Pentax pros, and the photo mags, don't expect it on shelves quickly. Pentax is notorious for releasing only after all the bugs are out, and they have a smaller production facility so building stock takes some time. No idea on the price, I'd guess $600.
For those looking for a new camera info is here:
Pentax K200 3.5Mb PDF (color) brochure
And the standard website
I've also owned and shot Nikon (N90s, D1H), still do, and I find the ergonomics and basic photographic setup of Pentax and Nikon quite similar. Although, I'm more of a Nikon apologists than a fanboy.
Anyway, the point of prefacing with that was the K200D was announced today and while it's just an announcement, if like all previous Pentax models it's well built, offers good image quality, and a good value it might be a camera to look into for outdoors enthusiast.
The reason, Pentax produced the only sub $1000 DSLR (K10D) with weather sealing (72 seals in all, same as the $8000 Canon 1D) and a 100,000 life shutter, and now it's produced the worlds SMALLEST DSLR with weather sealing the K200D.
At first look it appears to be a dumbed down K10D and it does take on many of the features, but it's actually not, lots of differences including the ergonomics, and you probably can get a K10D for less money now (used or new), but it's the size and the battery type that's impressive and the reason why I'm passing it along.
The K10D isn't big (only 3oz heavier than the K200D), but it just barely fits in my TLZ Mini with a little push, the older ist D is closer in size to the K200D (actually to be fair, probably halfway between the two), and I basically have room for 2 of them in the TLZ Mini with the DA* 21mm attached.
One other thing...on 4 AA lithiums (not sure if it takes CR-V3 lithium rechargeable yet) it gets 1100 shots. I took my ist D this summer paddling because it's tiny and uses AA batteries (about 800 shots on 4 lithiums) and I could keep my batteries homogeneous. That is, I could use my AA lithiums for headlamps, flash, 2way radios, GPS, and pretty much anything else that I carried. AA Lithiums give equal performance all the way till -40F so they are somewhat superior in winter as well other Lithiums, and especially to NiMH. And while they cost more, they weight less for extended trips.
That's the scoop, and a warning, while the preproduction models are out, and being used by Pentax pros, and the photo mags, don't expect it on shelves quickly. Pentax is notorious for releasing only after all the bugs are out, and they have a smaller production facility so building stock takes some time. No idea on the price, I'd guess $600.
For those looking for a new camera info is here:
Pentax K200 3.5Mb PDF (color) brochure
And the standard website
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