Pentax K10D

The Pentax K10D and similar Samsung GX-10 are 10.2-megapixel digital single-lens reflex cameras launched in late 2006. They were developed in a collaboration between Pentax of Japan and Samsung of South Korea.[3]

Pentax K10D[1][2]
Overview
Typedigital single-lens reflex camera
Lens
LensInterchangeable Pentax KAF2 mount compatible with Pentax auto-aperture lenses; older lenses supported in stop-down metering mode.
Sensor/medium
SensorInterline/interlace CCD with a primary color filter. APS-C 23.5 x 15.7 mm
Maximum resolution3,872 × 2,592 (10.2 megapixels)
Film speedISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600,
Recording mediumSD, SDHC
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesProgram, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter-Speed Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter-Speed and Aperture Priority, Manual, Bulb
Exposure meteringTTL open-aperture metering with choice of: 16-segment, Center-weighted & Spot meter
Shutter
Shutter speed range1/4000 sec–30 sec
General
LCD screen2.5", 210,000 pixels
BatteryRechargeable D-LI50 Lithium-ion battery, Optional AC adapter
Weight710 g (25 oz) without battery, 785 g with battery
Made inPhilippines

The K10D was announced on 13 September 2006,[4] and released in mid-November 2006, while Samsung announced the GX-10 on 2006-09-21[5] and it became available on January 1, 2007. The Pentax K20D, successor to the K10D, was officially announced on January 23, 2008.[6]

The K10D has been hailed by Popular Photography and Imaging magazine as "an all-star player,"[7] and was named as a finalist for their 2007 "Camera of the Year" award.[8]

Technology and construction

It combines a 10.2 effective megapixel CCD sensor, coupled with a 22-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a shake reduction system which also provides a dust removal feature to keep dust off the sensor surface. The K10D features a new image processor called PRIME (Pentax Real IMage Engine), which interfaces with DDR2 RAM, providing 800MB/s bandwidth. The camera body is dust and weather-resistant featuring 72 seals throughout the camera.

Images can be saved in JPG, Pentax raw image format (PEF) or standard DNG format. The Pentax K10D was among the first digital cameras to support the DNG format natively.

Competition and market segment

The K10D's feature set does not match precisely any other camera on the market.[9] By sensor size and price it is a competitor to the Sony α 100, the Nikon D80, the Canon EOS 400D ("Digital Rebel XTi" in North America) and the Olympus E-400, all 10 megapixel DSLRs unveiled in mid to late 2006. Of course, sensor size alone does not relate directly to any measure of quality or features, and the K10D can also be considered a competitor to higher priced cameras such as the Canon EOS 30D,[10] and its weather sealing is only matched by the much more expensive Nikon D200, Fujifilm S5 Pro and the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N/1Ds Mark II in current production.

Lens mount and compatible lenses
Front, showing KAF2 mount.

The K10D camera features the "crippled" KAF2 mount. Like the full-featured KAF2 mount, this has power contacts for the lens and supports power zoom and MTF information transferred from the lens to the body, but lacks the mechanical stop-down coupler necessary for full compatibility with the oldest Pentax K-mount lenses.[11]

The K10D is typically sold in a bundle with Pentax's SMC-DA 18-55mm kit lens, which has received very favorable reviews compared to kit lenses from Canon and Nikon, because of its build-quality and quick-shift focus system.[12]

In addition, the K10D supports in-lens ultrasonic focusing motors, branded SDM by Pentax. Lenses thus equipped support quieter and faster autofocus operation. Two weathersealed ultrasonic lenses, developed in co-operation with Tokina,[13] have been released.

Like the "crippled" KAF mount used on previous Pentax digital SLRs, the "crippled" KAF2 lacks the mechanism to mechanically sense a lens's aperture ring setting. For that reason, when using the manual aperture ring on K-mount lenses, it is necessary to set the 'Use aperture ring'[14] setting in the 'Custom Menu' to 'Permitted' and use stop-down metering mode (Pentax calls it optical preview) to ensure proper exposure. KA and KAF lenses with aperture rings are fully compatible when the aperture ring is set to automatic ('A'), giving control over the aperture to the camera body.[15]

Samsung GX-10
Samsung's version of the K10D: the GX-10

Under a partnership between Pentax and Samsung Techwin, the K10D is also available badged as the Samsung GX-10. The two cameras are virtually identical with a few small differences. The text labels for buttons are different, using a slightly smaller font, and the buttons themselves are slightly different. In addition, the hand grip is a slightly different shape, meaning the battery grip for the K10D is incompatible – however, a GX-10 battery grip is available. The firmware is quite different, using different menus and symbols, and providing no support for Pentax's PEF raw image format.

Awards

The K10D has won a number of awards from the industry, the first being the TIPA 2007 award for the best "Expert Digital SLR".[16] On 15 August, 2007, the K10D was announced as the winner of EISAs “European Camera of the Year 2007-2008” award.[17]

On 17 May, Pentax announced that it had won the Japanese Camera Grand Prix 2007.[18] Pentax later announced on 14 June, 2007, the introduction of a limited edition K10D package in commemoration of winning of the Japanese Camera Grand Prix.[19] The package features a dark brown K10D with gold lettering and a matching battery grip. A large leather camera strap is included with the words "CAMERA GRAND PRIX 2007".[20]

The K10D won American Photo's Editor's Choice 2007 for the Advanced Digital SLR category. (Volume 18, No. 4 July/August) [21]

  • Top.
    Top.
  • Left.
    Left.
  • Rear.
    Rear.

References
  1. "Pentax K10D Specifications". Pentax Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  2. "Pentax K10D Specifications". PENTAX RICOH IMAGING CO., LTD.
  3. "Entering into interchangeable lens D-SLR Camera market" (Press release). Samsung Techwin. 2005-10-12. Archived from the original on 2007-01-03.
  4. "Pentax announces K10D digital SLR with ten megapixels, shake reduction and weather-resistant body" (Press release). Pentax imaging. 2006-09-13. Archived from the original on 2006-10-10. Retrieved 2006-09-15.
  5. "Samsung SLR evolves with the launch of the GX-10" (Press release). Samsung. 2006-09-21.
  6. "K20D Digital SLR". Pentax. 2008-01-23. Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  7. Howard, Jack & Richards, Dan (January 2007). "Camera Test: Pentax K10D". Popular Photography and Imaging (website). Archived from the original on January 4, 2007. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  8. Unknown (November 2007). "Camera of the Year 2007 Finalists". Popular Photography and Imaging (website). Archived from the original on December 15, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
  9. Cybernium (2006-12-20). "10 Megapixels DSLR Cameras Comparison". www.neocamera.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
  10. Askey, Phil (2006-12-15). "Pentax K10D Review: 17. Compared to ..." DPReview.com. Retrieved 2006-12-26.
  11. Bojidar Dimitrov. "Features and Operation of the KAF2 Mount". Archived from the original on 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  12. Klaus Schroiff of Photozone.de has largely panned the Canon and Nikon kit lenses for their poor build quality, while generally praising that of the Pentax kit lens:
    Klaus Schroiff. "Pentax SMC-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL – Review / Test Report". Photozone.de. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
    Klaus Schroiff. "Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED DX – Review / Test Report". Photozone.de. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
    Klaus Schroiff. "Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II – Test Report / Review". Photozone.de. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  13. "Pentax to Exhibit Upcoming Digital SLR Camera Products at Photokina 2006 in Germany" (Press release). Pentax Corp. 2006-09-21. Archived from the original on March 30, 2013.
  14. Custom Menu Settings (part 4), PhotographyRulez, Dec 16, 2007
  15. Pentax K10D Operating Manual, page 210
  16. "TIPA 2007 Awards, Best D-SLR Expert: Pentax K10D". Technical Image Press Association (TIPA). 2007-04-24. Archived from the original on 2007-05-18. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  17. "The PENTAX K10D Digital SLR Camera Wins "EISA European Camera of the Year 2007-2008"" (Press release). Pentax Corp. 2007-08-15. Archived from the original on 2007-09-12.
  18. "The Pentax K10D DSLR Camera Wins "Camera Grand Prix 2007" in Japan" (Press release). Pentax Corp. 2007-05-17. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01.
  19. "PENTAX UK announces the K10D GP" (PDF) (Press release). Pentax Corp. 2007-06-14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2010-12-28.
  20. "PENTAX Markets Limited-Edition Package Commemorating the K10D Winning of the Camera Grand Prix 2007 Award in Japan" (Press release). Pentax Corp. 2007-06-14. Archived from the original on 2007-06-16.
  21. "Editor's Choice 2007: Advanced DSLRs". The Cool Booth. 2007-06-20.
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