"Pentax K200D Digital camera is really cheap for a nice DSLR that takes AA batteries. I like being able to replace my batteries, or use alkalines, if i must. Its all i'm ever going to need for a camera, unless they come out with something that can guarantee really good quality shots, but i doubt it. 10.2 Megapixels is more than almost anyone ever needs(unless you're professional). Scaled down, they're excellent."

    "I previously owned a Pentax K100D. I decided to step up to a DA* lens and wanted a body to match its weather sealing and SDM motor. The K200D is the perfect prosumer DSLR. It has all of the great features of the K100D Super (the K100D with dust removal), plus many more. The 10.2MP sensor takes great photos. The construction is solid and the dust/water sealing clearly visible on all doors. As with the K100D, this model uses AA batteries, a feature I love. Paired with a couple of sets of NiMH rechargeable batteries (I have 2500 ma Sonys), you are set for over 1500 photos. Also included, built in support for wireless flash operation with the internal flash as master (the K100D required an external flash as the master).
"

    "Pros: Pentax K200D Digital camera is Solid build, above average kit lens, easy to use, in-body stabilization

Cons: A bit heavy (but solid), no live view

Summary: I can't believe no one has written a review on cnet about this camera yet. I've had it for about a month and I'm loving the thing. I take it everywhere with me...I think my wife might be sorry she bought it for me. It is my first DSLR and it has been easy to learn and there is plenty of room to grow with full manual controls. You can shoot in full automatic mode or shoot in full manual as you get more comfortable. I love to shoot in Apeture priority and open up the f stop as much as possible to get those great blurred out backgrounds.

One of the main reasons I bought this camera over a Canon or Nikon is that it has in-body stabilization instead lens based stabilization. One bonus to this is that you can use Pentax lenses that date back to the sixties and still have them stabilized. You cannot use all of them in full automode but, it's fun to play with old glass and manually focus. Another reason for the purchase is that it is built like a tank. It is solid feeling in your hand and it has a ton of weather seals that add to the quality feel. The Nikon D60 and the Canon XTI just felt a little more plasticky and were not as comfortable in my hand. The Pentax just has great ergonomics (at least for my hands which are medium to large sized).

My biggest concern was that it didn't have live view. I know a lot of DSLR's don't have this option but, it is becoming more common. This has not been a problem once I started looking through the viewfinder again and not at the lcd screen. You can take a preview picture by turning the on-off knob in the opposite direction of off. You can then see the effects that different filters and white balances would have on your shot.

Then menu systems are very straight forward and anyone familiar with a point and shoot will be comfortable right away. This camera can be as advanced as you want (unless your a professional) or as easy as you want. I was able to pick it up and start shooting all the modes with reading the manual. I have since gone back and read it to learn some of the fine details but, you can just pick it up and start shooting.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with my decision to go with this camera. As everyone says on cnet, "after months of research...", I don't have any regrets with this purchase. "

    "Pros: Purchased Pentax K200D Digital camera from the only place I buy stuff from, NewEgg. I purchased this camera as a replacement for a Pentax
film SLR that I have owned for a few years and I felt I was ready to go digital for all my shooting with the exception of my medium format, but let me use all my older lenses and accessories. Camera has reasonably simple controls with enough additional controls for all but the more advanced photographer. So far photos have turned out fair with most being correctly exposed and have good contrast and color. Noise is a bit high at high iso with no flash and low light. Viewfinder is bright and easy to see when you have as least normal room light. Night shots come out nice and have little or no noise around the edges. Included lense is OK but nothing to brag about. I like the fact that it uses AA batteries that I will be able to get just about anywhere.
Cons: Slow included lense at 55mm zoom is only 5.6 but that seems to be the norm for all cameras in this price range. Has a bit of trouble focusing in very low light but does very well with only room light.
Other Thoughts: I would recommend this camera for anyone that has Pentax accessories.
"

    "I am an amateur photographer who's always used point-and-shoot cameras. Finally, I got up the nerve (and cash) to get myself a DSLR.

I started doing lots of reading and reviewing the various reviews/features of different cameras, eventually settling on the Pentax K200D.

I have never owned anything made by Pentax/Canon/Nikon/Olympus/Sony before, so I didn't have any sort of brand loyalty ties. I took long, hard looks at the features and performance and went from there.

There are several reasons why I chose the Pentax K200D over similar models from other manufacturers:

1) Weather sealing -- Pentax claims their camera is the only environmentally sealed camera in its class ("starting DSLR"). Nice to know it's there, even if I don't plan on intentionally testing it out!

2) Saving High quality JPEG and RAW at the same time (RAW+). Some of the other models I was considering didn't allow RAW + High JPEG, only medium JPEG.

3) Very high build quality. This thing feels like it's built like a tank. After reading literally hundreds of user reviews from Canon owners, Nikon, etc. the general consensus was their bodies (and cheap lenses) felt a little flimsy. I must admit, I went to the stores and tried out their cameras (the entry DSLR) and I felt the same way.
Popular Photography's preview of the K200D said it best: "Mate a tank with a SLR body..." or something to that effect.

4) AA batteries. I know some people consider this a downside, but decent 2500mha AAs are extremely cheap and work great. If I ever run out of juice, I know I can hit up practically any store for a recharge.

5) You can mount any lens Pentax has ever made on this camera. Of course, you may not get all the features, but the consistency of the lens mounting was a plus for me.

6) In-body stabilization - A real biggy for me, as this translates to any lens you buy for the system! It has already saved several of my shots.

7) It's an APS-C sensor -- this discounted the Olympus line immediately.
----------------------------------

So how do I like the camera? So far it's great!

I've only owned it a few days, but I've been doing lots of testing with the kit lens (which, according to "the net", isn't as horrible in quality as some other kit lenses).

Autofocus is fairly quick, though low light seems to be throwing it off sometimes (duh!)

Light metering seems to be very consistent -- I'm not getting surprise too dark or too light shots unless I intentionally screw the shot up (like forgetting to reset EV , doh).

Burst rate is a bit low at 4 JPEG or RAWs - but I don't plan on doing too many sports shots so hopefully this won't be a limiting factor. I'm awaiting some Sandisk Ultra II SD cards to come in before I see how much this low rate limits me -- hopefully the fast card will allow a quick buffer flush.

The grip is confortable for me, a 6-foot tall male with large/medium hands. So far I haven't accidentally hit a button while operating the camera, etc. I haven't done prolonged shooting yet.

The menu options are pretty self-explanatory, and I like the manual they give you (though it's huge) -- They do a pretty good job explaining what various functions do, etc.

-------------------------------------------


So, the verdict? If you're moving from a point and shoot digital camera (I had a Kodak Easyshare Z612 6MP), this thing is going to blow it away!

Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. The kit lens isn't total garbage, the menu functions are easy to access and the camera performs admirably.

The only thing I miss moving from my PNS camera is the zoom.

My next purchase will probably be the fast 50mm prime lens for portraits.



I've been shooting in low-light situations (my house tonight) and so far it's doing great.

I've also taken it outdoors on a sunny day for some pretty good looking shots. I can't wait to upgrade to a good zoom to catch more wildlife.[...] "