Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #63291 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Pentax
• Model: Pentax K-m + 18-55 DAL
• Released on: 2008-11-01
• Dimensions: 3.60" h x 4.82" w x 2.66" l, 1.17 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Manufacturer's Description
This entry-level, 10.2 MP digital SLR camera from PENTAX is an essential bit of kit for anybody looking to step into the world of serious photography. With its wide selection of easy-to-use, image-enhancing features, you'll find it a breeze to take brillaint shots in all sorts of settings.

Compact, lightweight body for enhanced portability and maneuverability
Despite the incorporation of a large-sized image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm), the PENTAX K-m offers a compact, lightweight body to assure remarkable portability and maneuverability. This was made possible by the development of a compact, lightweight and high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis, the downsizing of the Shake Reduction mechanism and circuit boards, the employment of latest high-density packaging technologies assuring most efficient positioning and layout of various parts, and the repositioning of the battery compartment. The camera grip has also been redesigned to assure firm, comfortable hold of the camera body.

Simplified operation system for easy camera handling
The PENTAX K-m features a newly designed control system, which positions most of buttons and levers on the camera's grip side, making it easier for first-time digital SLR users stepping up from their compact models to operate the camera. What's more, the functions of each button or lever are instantly displayed on the camera's LCD monitor with a single press of the help button to facilitate camera operation -- especially for those who are unfamiliar with digital SLR cameras.

PENTAX-original Shake Reduction mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
The PENTAX K-m comes equipped with the PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which effectively reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under demanding shooting conditions -- such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark or at night without supplementary flash illumination, or using extended exposures for sunset scenes. This innovative SR mechanism shifts the position of the image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the shifting speed in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor. It offers an outstanding compensation effect -- up to the equivalent of approximately four shutter steps. As a result, it does not require special anti-shake lenses, and can be used with almost all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses.

(Lenses compatible with this mechanism are: the PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2-, and KAF3-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapther); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be applicable with certain lenses.)

Comprehensive Dust Removal system with prevention, removal and confirmation devices
The PENTAX K-m features the user-friendly DR (Dust Removal) system to prevent dust from appearing on captured images. Applied to the CCD image sensor surface (or low-pass filter) through the vapor deposition process of a fluorine compound, the PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) coating effectively removes dust and stains from the surface. In the next step, dust that still remains on the surface will be shaken off when the SR system shifts the image sensor at high speed. Finally, the dust that is shaken off the image sensor will fall onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of it returning to the image sensor surface. This DR system even offers a Dust Alert function, which allows the user to confirm the dust-adhesion status of the CCD in advance.

Auto Picture mode for automatic selection of optimum shooting mode
The PENTAX-developed Auto Picture mode is programmed to automatically select the most appropriate shooting mode -- from such choices as Portrait, Landscape and Macro -- for a given subject. With the PENTAX K-m, this user-friendly mode is further upgraded, with automatic detection of situations requiring the Night Scene Portrait mode. Since all camera settings, including aperture, shutter speed, white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness, are automatically adjusted by the camera for optimum results, the user can concentrate on image composition and shutter opportunity.

High-quality image
The PENTAX K-m combines a large, high-performance CCD image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm) with the sophisticated PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) as its imaging engine. With its approximately 10.2 effective megapixels, it produces beautiful, fine-detailed images with subtle gradations and delicate texture description. It also features a Custom Image function, which offers a choice of six finishing touches to help the user create intended images.

High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 3.5 frames per second
The PENTAX K-m lets the user keep shooting images at the speed of approximately 3.5 frames per second (in the JPEG recording format), allowing the user to capture a sequence of a fast-moving subject with great ease.

High-precision 5-point AF system
The PENTAX K-m incorporates a five-point wide-area AF system (SAFOX VIII with five cross-type sensors) to assure dependable, high-precision autofocusing. Using the five sensors positioned in a cross pattern over the image field (one in the middle, two at sides, and two at top and bottom), this system automatically and unfailingly selects the optimum sensor for a given subject. It also allows the user to fix the AF detection point at the middle sensor. Thanks to a thorough review of the AF algorithm, this AF system also offers improved autofocusing speed under poor-lighting conditions, in which conventional AF systems take longer to focus on the subject.

Auto sensitivity control up to ISO 3200
The PENTAX K-m's auto sensitivity control function automatically sets the optimum sensitivity between ISO 100 and ISO 3200, based on such data as the subject's brightness level and the lens' focal length. Since this function allows the user to take advantage of faster shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor sports events and nighttime scenes), it helps the photographer to effectively reduce camera shake and subject shake and prevent blurred images.

Effective gradation compensation
The PENTAX K-m's dynamic-range expansion function allows the user to expand a dynamic range (or a range of gradation reproduction) to minimize white-washed areas in the image. On the other hand, its shadow compensation function minimizes pitch-black areas lacking details. Combined, they help the user to produce beautiful, rich-gradation images when shooting high-contrast subjects.

Large, easy-to-view 2.7-inch LCD monitor
The PENTAX K-m features a large 2.7-inch color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots on its back panel. This monitor's wide-view design allows the photographer to check the on-screen image from approximately 170 degrees both vertically and horizontally. It even offers digital zooming of playback images up to 16 times for easy confirmation of the image's focusing status and details.

Bright, clear viewfinder
Thanks to a combination of a lightweight penta-mirror prism, a PENTAX-original finder optics and the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, the PENTAX K-m's viewfinder delivers a large, bright subject image with an approximately 96-percent field of view and an approximately 0.85-times magnification.

Digital filters for unique visual expressions
The PENTAX K-m's built-in digital filters let the user effortlessly add some creative and artistic touches to recorded images without the use of a PC. The user can select one of 14 different digital filters -- including the new Toy Camera and Retro filters -- to create a desired visual effect.

Other features include: 10 Scene modes, switchable with simple icon selection; energy-efficient power supply, recording approximately 1,650 images with four AA-size lithium batteries; status screen, displaying camera settings on the LCD monitor on the camera's back panel for at-a-glance confirmation; index function, for five different types of display and printing modes; choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications; simultaneous recording of RAW- and JPEG-format images; compatibility with SD and SDHC memory cards as external data-recording media; in-body development of RAW-format images; compatibility with SDM-equipped lenses for quiet, smooth autofocus operation; PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 RAW data processing software and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3 browser software included

Main Features of the smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL Lens
A compact standard zoom lens with focal lengths from 27.5mm to 84.5mm (in the 35mm format) covering wide-angle to medium-telephoto ranges

Latest optical design featuring high-performance aspherical lens element and super-low dispersion glass element for effective compensation of various aberrations

Box Contains

• Pentax K-m Digital SLR Camera
  
• Video Cable
  
• USB Cable
  
• Software
  
• Strap
  
• 18-55 Lens

Customer Reviews

K-M Compact and superb DSLR
Have used Nikons for some time but fancied a change and purchased the Km from a local Pentax dealer,
I Really like small Dslr s and ignore the entry level tags given to such cameras ie D40 etc.
They do 90% of what bigger advanced camera do for a lot less and afterall all Cropped Dslr have the same big sensers which is the main thing,the only reason i see in having a bigger camera is if it,s for a particular full time job like sport . But for me the reason would have to be full frame.
The pentax is tiny ,smaller then the D40 D60 etc and is just as small as the Olympus e420, the pentax is heavy but thats good in my book but the body has the built in Shake reduction so will support all the Pentax and third party lens with the advantage of shake reduction, I,ve purchased a cheap second hand 28-300mm Tamron lens which works great and is really small and light because it has no VR/IS so then voila you have a big focal lenghth on a budget that is small and light and the overall package is tiny comapared to the competion.
The viewfinders on Pentax are great and is the case here altho i think the LCD is average to be honest.
Interface is simple and well laid out with lots of usefull features easy to hand.
ISO performance is fantastic with 3200 still very usable indeed very very impressed.
Pop up flash is cheap and nasty which go s against the rest of the camera which is a shame but not a deal breaker.
AA batteries are used and last for ever it,s unbelievable and this is very handy as a travel companion when you ,ve used all the juice in your batteries and all you need is a shop nearby and your back in action for another 1500 shots, Brilliant.
So to sum up
Pros
Shake reduction built in body
Stacks of cheap autofocus lens (light)
Build quality and size
ISO Performance
AA s
Cons
Rubbish flash pop up
Lens autofocus noisy
Shutter noisy (COMPARED TO NIKON VERY QUITE) same as rest tho.
Auto iso does,nt reconise you have flash up and on (A pain)
My conclusion is the 2 most importent things to me which is ISO and image quality are brilliant and the Shake reduction allows you to buy lens on a budget and every lens is stabalized .
To compare for example the D60 and 18-200mm VR lens would set you back £700 all in new and that lens is pretty heavy.
I,ve managed to to get the KM with kit lens and a good walkabout 28-300mm lens for a lot less and smaller lighter package, the other option is the excellently rated Tamron/Pentax 18-250 mm lens for £250-£300 and still very light and compact.

Lovely camera, brimming over with features
I've been after a DSLR for some time, having used digital compacts and film SLRs, and I spent some time thinking about what I needed. As I had an old Pentax ME Super, I felt drawn towards a Pentax DSLR as their compatibility with old lenses thrashes all the other manufacturers hands down. Practically every Pentax-fit lens ever made can be used with this camera (albeit with a few small limitations).

Pentax have really done a good job with this one. It's small, well laid out, easy to use, and full of features. You can stick it on auto and let it do everything for you, or dig deep into manual functions and settings and play around to your heart's content. There are literally millions of great lenses out there at good prices, and the thing runs off AA batteries for ease of use - and is very economical with them as well! I've had my first set of lithiums in there for nearly a month and they're still going strong!

It misses off a few of the features more advanced photographers might want, and I'm not completely convinced the kit lenses are all that good, but as it works with my old lenses that's not a problem. But...as a first foray into the world of DSLRs, I'm really, really impressed, and it's given me a new enthusiasm for photography. Highly recommended.

Pentax k-m dslr
This is my first foray into the realms of dslr cameras. This one worked for me straight out of the box. comfortable in the hand, menu's easy to read and understand even for a novice. I even went to the extent of purchasing an extra lens a 55 - 200 this also works well. I would recommend this camera to anyone as a first dslr.