Pentax K10D

K10D with FA 31 mm f/1.8 image by Richard Murdey (Image rights)

The Pentax K10D is a 10 mega pixel Digital Single Lens Reflex camera announced 13 September 2006. It was popular and widely available during the 2007 calendar year. It represents a second generation digital SLR from Pentax as all of the prior models used the same basic 6 megapixel sensor. The image stabilization feature is within the camera body allowing the use of the feature on all existing lenses. It included support for the SDM lens family which was finally released in July of 2007. The SDM lens family has a focusing motor located within the lens body and draws power for its operation from the '2' of the KAF2 mount--these being the 2 electric contacts on the lower right previously used for supporting power zoom features.

Features

• Camera Type: Digital SLR
• Sensor: Sony ICX493AQA CCD, 10 Megapixels
• Lens Mount: KAF2^*1
• Sensor based Shake Reduction™ image stabilization
• Weather and Dust seals
• Unique exposure modes Sv and TAv
• HyperProgram P mode
• Built in pop-up flash with wireless support
• Dual raw support: Pentax PEF and "universal" Adobe DNG
• Extensive JPEG image parameters: Bright and Natural tone modes; Sharpness, contrast and saturation adjustment
• Very customizable behavior/interface
• Unlimited JPEG burst

^*1 Support for SDM lenses; Power Zoom™ limited functionality ^*2 Wireless functionality added via firmware upgrade version.

Awards

• TIPA 2007 award for the best Expert Digital SLR
• European Camera of the Year 2007-2008
• Japanese Camera Grand Prix 2007
• American Photo's Editor's Choice 2007 (Advanced Digital SLR category)

Links

• Pentax K10D user manual at Manualslib
• Pentax K10D service manual at Manualslib
• Wikipedia K10D Page
• dpreview.com review of the camera
• secrets of the K10D on ricehigh.blogspot.com