Features

• 8x Magnification
• 42x Objective
• Waterproof - Can be submerged down to 1 meter
• Nitrogen Filled - Won't fog in the hottest and most humid climates
• Soft rubber armoring is ergonomic for a secure, comfortable grip

Reviews (1)

Who Needs Binoculars Like These?
Not everyone needs a high quality set of binoculars like these. For most people, most of the time, a little set of 8x25 binoculars for about a hundred dollars is sufficient and more easily carried around. The best set of binoculars you can have are the ones you have with you when you want them! Compact size is a big plus; there is no excuse to leave them home when the binocs easily fit in a small pocket. But some people will want more.

For those who want a very good set of binoculars (are willing to pay and carry more) these Pentaxs are a good choice. These are very high quality roof prism binocs. Resolution and color are very good and they gather plenty of light with their 42 mm objective lenses. What you get for your money (as oppossed to a nice pair of 8x25s) is truly a brighter image, especially good for birders at dusk and dawn and while looking into shady trees and at small birds silhouetted against the sky. These are the classic cases in which little or no detail can be seen with small binocs. In such cases the larger objective lenses pay for themselves in rich detail. However, you could get the same quality images for less money by going to a binocular with porro prisms. These can do everything that roof prisms can and do it for less money. Still--the porro prism models are physically larger, heavier.

So, who are these Pentax 8x42 roof prism binoculars for? For people who really want a binocular that will gather enough light to pierce the shadows, yet want something a little more compact than you can get with a similar porro prism model. (IF you don't know the differences between porro and roof prisms, you're not ready to choose moderately expensive binoculars. Do some research first!).
Overall, these Pentax binocs provide very high quality images at moderate size and weight. A very nice set of binoculars for the person who can justify the higher price. Phase coated too. They can't match the best binocs (these Pentaxs are priced hundreds of dollars less than the best), but they are very close! ... Read more

Features

• Super compact, ultra-lightweight, credit-card-sized body
• Body made of aluminum alloy
• Edge to edge is available thanks to the newly developed roof-prism optical construction
• Multi-coated lenses which reduce glare and minimizes light transmissions for clearer brighter images
• Protected by a limited lifetime warranty

Features

• Objective lens: 33mm
• Compact roof prism binoculars ideal for close-up viewing and rough weather
• Fiber-reinforced waterproof body with full-body rubber housing
• 279-foot field of view at 1000 yards
• Magnification: 10x

Features

• This 150mm lens is specially designed for use with the Pentax 645N SLR large-format camera body
• Features include -minimum aperture -22
• Lens Construction -7 elements / 7 groups
• Angle of View -26 degrees
• Diaphragm -Fully Automatic

Features

• Fully automatic exposure and focus take the worry out of picture taking
• Programmed exposure modes with 6-segment metering
• 5-point autofocus for sharp and clear photo images with superlative ease (2.6-feet to infinity)
• A 48mm to 200mm zoom lens provides an extended flexible range from landscape to telephoto modes
• Integrated flash with red-eye reduction, zoom and auto modes

Amazon.com Product Description

The SAFOX VI phase-matching autofocus system assures that the Pentax ZX-30 camera body gives you high-precision, high-speed autofocus operation, even under low light conditions. If your subject is in motion, the predictive autofocus function automatically activates and predicts the subject's position at the moment of shutter release for pinpoint focusing. In addition, the six-segment multipattern metering system gives you optimum results, even in difficult, high-contrast lighting conditions, such as side-lighting and backlit situations.

With six-selectable picture modes: standard program, portrait program, landscape program, close-up program, action program, and night scene program, complicated exposure control is simplified. Mode selection is simple and straightforward; all you do is turn the mode dial to the picture mode that best fits your scene and your picture is properly exposed. To further improve the quality of your images, the ZX-30 also offers two conventional autoexposure modes, aperture-priority AE and shutter-priority AE, as well as metered manual mode and bulb mode. These features give you the creative freedom to expose your images as you want, not according to the preset picture modes.

If low-light and/or backlight conditions are detected, the built-in flash pops up and discharges automatically. The flash unit also makes a brief discharge in the dark to assist the camera's AF system. Normally complicated flash techniques, like daylight sync, slow-shutter sync, and bulb sync are simple to use (even when used in combination with a dedicated flash unit), thanks to the ZX-30's advanced TTL flash control system. When using the flash, the red-eye reduction feature helps reduce those unsightly red dots from your subject's eyes.

By pressing the memory-lock button, you can store the present exposure value in memory for 20 seconds and recompose the image without changing the value. The exposure compensation feature lets you shift exposure across a range of +/-3, in + 1/2EV increments, giving you the ability to create interesting visual effects. An easy-to-read bar-graph indicator is visible in the viewfinder, so you can see your current compensation value. Multiple exposure allows creative effects such as multiple appearances of the same subject on a single frame. Set your own pace with three drive modes, including single-frame advance, consecutive-frame advance at two frames per second, and a self-timer with a 12-second delay.

The fixed molded penta-mirror viewfinder has a natural-bright-matte focusing screen and lets you check on several of your camera's indicators, including: shutter speed, aperture value, exposure compensation, close-up program, action program, and night scene program. You can also check settings on the external LCD, such as: film loading, film advance, film rewind, film loading error, auto pop-up flash function, red-eye reduction flash, and battery exhaustion warning. ... Read more

Features

• SAFOX VI phase-matching autofocus system for high-precision, high-speed autofocus operation
• Six-selectable picture modes for simple exposure control
• Built-in flash pops up and discharges automatically if low-light and/or backlight conditions are detected
• Several features for creative control over images
• Lens not included

Reviews (1)

easy
I like it better than my pz-70 you can get to manuel fast ... Read more

Product Description

The 8-16x21 UCF Zoom II binocular stands alone. This rugged little beauty gives you extraordinary power in a compact and rugged design. A magnification range of 8X to 16X will get you closer to your subject. A tough rubberized exterior that resists scratches, dust, dirt, and shock. Perfect alignment to eliminate headaches. And PENTAX's super multi-coated lenses allow more light to enter while eliminating irritating glare and flare. Packed with performance and portable enough to take anywhere, the 8-16x21 UCF Zoom II binocular is the perfect traveling companion. ... Read more

Features

• Central fingertip control includes focus ,locking diopter, and zoom control
• Black rubber housing to protect against dust and scratches
• Revolutionary dual-axis, single body housing with synchronized eye-piece adjustment to assure correct optical alignment for comfortable viewing
• Helicoid-style eyepiece rings for extra viewing comfort
• Fully multi-coated optics to eliminate harmful ultraviolet rays while improving light transmission for high contrast images with no glare or flare

Amazon.com Product Description

Designed for advanced photographers yet easy enough to use for the budding amateur, the ZX-7 is fully equipped with amazing features. It's most impressive standard feature is the Auto Picture Mode, which automatically selects one of five picture modes: landscape, close-up, action, portrait, or standard program.The latter setting is based on your subjects' distance, lens focal length, and movement; the ZX-7 then tells you the camera's decision via the illuminated mode dial.

You can tackle any lighting situation with the built-in flash (with red-eye reduction) and Pentax's sophisticated six-segment multi-pattern light metering system which calculates the optimum exposure, so that even the most difficult high/low-contrast lighting situations are no problem.

The predictive autofocus function automatically detects your subject's motion and anticipates the correct positioning at the time of shutter release, resulting in perfectly focused pictures even when the subject is moving toward or away from the camera.

You can also create artistic shots by combing exposures onto a single frame. When taking three or more exposure onthe same frame, simply press the multiple exposure button after each exposure to create your image. This camera also features quartz dating, panorama mode, and a remote control. ... Read more

Features

• SMART picture mode w/5 auto switching programs
• Six-segment metering
• High speed predictive AF anticipates subject movement
• Multi-function auto pop-up flash w/red-eye reduction
• Creative multiple exposure capability

Features

• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements for optimum optical resolution
• 80mm objective lenses for bright viewing under all light conditions
• Extra wide focusing knob is incorporated for effortless focusing
• Durable rubber housing to protect against shock and damage
• Housed in an exceptionally lightweight magnesium-alloy body

Features

• 10x Magnification
• 42x Objective
• Waterproof - Can be submerged down to 1 meter
• Nitrogen Filled - Won't fog in the hottest and most humid climates
• Soft rubber armoring is ergonomic for a secure, comfortable grip

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor captures 2240 x 1680 images for prints at 11 x 14 inches and beyond
• Autofocus lens with 3x optical/2x digital (6x total) zoom
• Includes 16 MB CompactFlash; connects with PCs and Macs via USB port
• Record movies in AVI format up to 30 seconds in length at 15 frames per second
• Uses Li-Ion rechargeable battery (included)or 2 AA batteries; optional AC adapter available

Reviews (1)

Depends for what!
I have had this for 6 months, and use it extensively. I also own a Rollei prego90, and a nikon n70. I love it. its very very compact, and that is a great advantage. it takes sharp pictures and is easy to use. But if you need this for your main camera - i would not advise it. There is no shoe for an add on flash, the focusing and exposure setting time take about a second and a half, so if you need fast pictures, certainly if its anything with action, its not good enough. the batterie eats up very fast, so get a spare one.
But again, if you are at all familiar with basic photography, the camera lets you customize almost everything, from exposure to color to file size. ... Read more

Features

• Objective lens: 25mm
• General purpose binocular ideal for wildlife, sports, and theater
• High-refraction Bak4 glass prisms and multi-coated lens
• 162-foot field of view at 1000 yards
• Magnification: 16x

Features

• Housed in a nitrogen-filled magnesium-alloy waterproof body (JIS Class 6) and protected with a full-body rubber housing
• Exceptional image quality and close focusing with edge-to-edge sharpness
• High-resolution phase-coated roof prisms
• Scratch-resistant hydrophobic coating on exposed objective and eyepiece lenses
• Multi-coated optical elements

Features

• Five selectable picture modes
• Auto exposure bracketing
• Programed AE, Av & Tv Mode, Metered manual modes
• SAFOX V TTL auto focus system
• TTL auto pop-up flash w/red-eye reduction

Reviews (1)

Not bad while it lasted.
The camera started showing problems two weeks into use. The winding mechanism would not rewind 36 exp rolls, then 24 exp rolls, then it wouldn't wind the film past the 4th or 5th exp on a fresh roll, and at the end, it wouldn't even spool up a fresh roll.

It took pretty good pictures, I would say, but I'm not experienced at judging pictures. They were in focus and the exposure times got the balance between light and dark right. The film winding mechanism was a little loud for my taste.

On the up side, because of its almost entirely plastic construction (I think the lens mount is plastic as well) the camera was light and easy to carry. On the down side, plastic obviously breaks quicker than metal. The auto-focus was pretty quick and if you understood where to point the lens, it was also correct.

At the end of the day, for an amateur SLR that cost around a quarter of a thousand (including lens kit and bag), it's absolutely unacceptable that it should break so quickly. Pentax had better rethink their strategy. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Pentax ZX-30 SLR has a predictive autofocus feature that automatically activates when the camera detects your subject's motion. It can then predict where the subject will be at the moment of shutter release, giving you pinpoint focusing. This function is especially helpful when taking action and sports shots or when taking pictures of wildlife.

Even when shooting in dimly lit conditions, the SAFOX VI phase-matching autofocus system guarantees that you get high precision and high-speed autofocus. The six-segment, multipatterned metering system also promises quality results in difficult, high-contrast light such as side lighting or backlit situations. When combined, these two features can provide you with sharp, clear images, whatever the lighting conditions you have to shoot in.

The large LCD panel on top of the camera displays vital information using large, easy-to-read icons while the viewfinder LCD display offers a full range of information, including the selected picture program and an exposure compensation factor. With the memory lock button, you can store the present exposure value in the camera's memory for 20 seconds and then recompose your image without having to change or reset your camera settings. ... Read more

Features

• User friendly picture mode with direct access to mode selection
• Programmed AE, shutter priority AE, aperture priority AE, manual exposure modes
• Landscape, portrait, night action, and close-up AE modes
• Pinpoint autofocis with focis prediction
• 6-segment multipattern metering

Reviews (14)

Pentax has a product to be proud of!!...
I am 14 years old and new to the photographic world. After doing months of research on what I wanted to be my first camera I decided on the Pentax ZX-30 Quartz Date. It was probably one of the best choices I have made. As a beginner I was looking for a camera that was simple to operate, but one that would give me quality pictures and versatility for me to be creative. This camera was my answer. My first roll of film was beautiful. My mother has a home daycare so I immediately started taking pictures of the kids. When I got my first roll of film back I was amazed at the quality of the pictures. They were wonderful. This camera gives you a variety of settings yet it is simple enough that you can have fun without having to deal with confusing dials and knobs. This is the choice for a beginner who wants to take photography seriously. Buy and enjoy!!

Excellent Camera
This is a wonderful Camera that I have had for 4 years now. I have extremely enjoyed the quality pictures, and fun options that this camera has.

I took several photography courses and this camera was leaps and bounds above what I needed.

I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone looking into starting up or continuing photography as a hobby.

Excellent SLR for starters
I have owned this camera for the last 3 yrs. Not a single complaint so far. Most of the time I have used the auto settings even though it has a manual option. Excellent focus even in low light conditions and the focus lock is pretty fast. Yet to have a bad shot except for those occasional out of focus pictures which were mostly because of my fault.

Operation is pretty simple and does not have much frills to worry about. Excellent value for the price

Best Camera for it's price out there!
I had decide that it was time in my life to buy a nicer camera than a point-and-shoot camera. I looked around on the internet and went to local stores that sold good quality cameras. I looked at cameras made by Nikon, Cannon, Minolta, Pentax, and Sigma, because i had heard that they were the top brands.

After several days of looking and comparing options and prices I settled on the pentax camera. I chose it because
1. it was reasonably priced
2. How user friendly it was and
3. Because it had extensive options.
Basically everything I wanted out of a camera.

I suggest to you to do the same thing i did. Just look around everywhere and compare all of the options and special features of the cameras. I also recamend that if you do buy an slr camera you should get a polorizing lens cover or even just a plain lens cover, because it is exremely easy to scratch the lens.

better than my pz -70
I got this camera for a 2nd autofocus camera. I like it better than my pz-70. By the way Pentax makes the best slrs. I also have 2 Pentax manuel cameras a mx and a mg. I love them too. Its light solid and small for a slr the zx-30 is great! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Pentax's IQZoom115S 35mm camera integrates an ultracompact design with a powerful 3x zoom. It provides an array of automatic features, including autofocus and autoexposure, built-in flash with red-eye reduction, and automatic film loading, winding, and rewinding. It also has a self-timer with a 10-second delay. You can shoot in Regular or Panoramic mode and take macro shots from as close as 25 inches. ... Read more

Features

• Autoflash with backlighting and red-eye reduction functions
• 35mm camera
• 38 to 115mm power zoom
• Panoramic mode
• Automatic 5-point focusing system

Reviews (6)

Pentex Camera is the best
this is my second Pentex.This particular camera is a little more advanced than my first but incredibly easy to operate and load.The photographs are bright and crisp and always clear.As you can tell this ismy favorite!

great camera if you like devil eyes
Love this camera. Portable, easy, moron proof. But, you better never use the flash to photograph your kids. You will see the most amazing red eye, even using the red eye reduction. I just wish I had bought it from Amazon.Then at least it would have given me devil eyes for 100 bucks less.

Perfect Point n Shoot
I've had this camera since it was introduced by Pentax (1997) and it's been a total pleasure to use.I have an APS and a manual 35mm SLR but this is the one I use when I MUST get the shot right.Like having Derek Jetercome up to bat just when you need him.

Best Automatic, Easy To Use Camera in the World
I already have a Pentax IQZOOM and I am buying one for a close friend for Christmas. It's easy to use, the pictures are sharp, the red eye reduction works well and it's just plain fun with no picture taking stress!

Very easy to use, durable
Great point and shoot camera.I've used it a lot travelling overseas and its ease of use with one hand allowed me to take a lot of photos that would've been impossible had I needed to "set up" and fuss withfocus, etc.

I've gotten a lot of compliments on my slides.Theflexibility and control over the exposure are great, as are the spot focusand other controls.

Very clear manual allows you quick mastery. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Pentax's *ist D is the world's smallest and lightest digital SLR (as of April 2003), measuring just 5.0 by 3.7 by 2.3 inches and weighing 18 ounces. It features a clarity of 6.1 effective megapixels, a 16-segment metering system, an 11-point AF sensor, and a continuous shooting rate of 2.7 frames per second. It's also compatible with K, KA, KAF, and KAF2 mount lenses and 645/67 lenses with an adapter.

Optics and Resolution
Employing a high-performance CCD with dimensions of 23.5mm by 15.7mm and embracing Pentax's unique image processing technology, the *ist D offers 6.1-megapixel resolution for the recording of precise, superior-quality images.

Storage and Transfer
The *ist D is compatible with CompactFlash Type I/II memory cards, and is also compatible with MicroDrives.

More Features
An optical pentaprism viewfinder was developed especially for the *ist D. This makes viewing easy with an ample 95% field of view and 0.95x magnification. There is also a superimposed display function that assists composition by illuminating the AF points in red.

Other features include:

• New 16-segment metering system achieves more accurate exposure
• New 11-point AF sensor (SAFOX VIII) for enhanced focusing
• Fast 1/4,000 second shutter speed and high-speed flash sync at 1/150 seconds
• Custom function allows functionality to be tuned to satisfy user preferences
• Noise reduction function activates for long exposures
• 1.8-inch, 118,000-pixel LCD monitor
• Choice of JPEG, TIFF, and RAW recording formats
• Convenient playback functions, such as nine-image and 12x magnification display

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 4 AA batteries; rechargeable NiMH batteries are recommended. It measures 5.0 by 3.7 by 2.3 inches and weighs 18 ounces.

The *ist D and the *ist DS Compared

	*ist D	*ist DS
Effective Pixels	6.1 Megapixels	6.1 Megapixels
LCD Monitor	1.8-inch TFT Color LCD	2.0-inch TFT Color LCD
Power Source	4 AA, or 2 CR-V3	4 AA, or 2 CR-V3
Storage Media	Compact Flash (I & II), MicroDrive	SD Memory Card
File Formats	8-bit (JPEG), 8-bit (TIFF), 12-bit (RAW)	8-bit (JPEG), 12-bit (RAW)
Exposure Modes	Auto w/Hyper Program Program AE Shutter-Priority AE Aperture-Priority AE Metered Manual Bulb	Program AE Auto Picture Picture Shutter-Priority AE Aperture-Priority AE Metered Manual Bulb
Interface	USB 1.1	USB 2.0
Flash Sync	1/150 sec	1/180 sec
X-Sync Socket	YES	NO
Continuous Frame Advance	2.6 fps	2.8 fps
Continuous Autofocus	YES	YES (in Action Picture Mode only)
Mirror Lock	YES	YES
Wireless Flash Sync	YES	NO
Optional Vertical Grip	YES	NO
Stainless-Steel Chassis	YES	YES
Remote Assistant from PC	YES	NO
Interchangeable Focusing Screens	YES	YES
PictBridge Compatibility	NO	YES
Weight (w/o Batteries)	19.4 oz	17.8 oz

... Read more

Features

• 6.1 effective megapixels
• Pentax FA J 18-35mm F4-F5.6 AL zoom lens included
• Compatible with K, KA, KAF and KAF2 mount lenses and 645 / 67 lenses with an adapter
• Compatible with CompactFlash Type I/II cards and MicroDrives
• Powered by 4 AA batteries

Reviews (5)

Answers to the two big on-line Criticisms...
OK, if you're here, you probably have read all the online reviews. Here's my answers to some of the major criticisms I've seen about this supurbe camera on the web. (And my opinion is based on a 20 year career as a professional photographer...for what that's worth! :) )

1.)Criticism: Memory card is hard to remove. OK, maybe this could use a little work on Pentax's part. Not really a big deal if you're careful. Just be careful...it's not THAT hard!

2.)Criticism: Batteries are not proprietary and rechargeable!? WHAT? THANK GOD! This is in my opinion not a mistake but a MAJOR PLUS! Only Pentax would have the forsight and understanding to give the user TWO (more if you consider all the AA posibilities...)onboard options for battery power both available almost anywhere for Pete's sake! Batteries are the life blood of digital photography, more options can only be better! For my part I'm running 2300 milliamp hour rechargable AA's and am thrilled with the performance!

Well that addresses the two biggies I've read about. As for the rest of it, the price is now where it should be and the camera performs fantastically. Now that Pentax has a 14mm coming out, all is wonderful in the digital world. My advice, BUY IT and you won't ever look back! The 13x19 prints are superb, I shoot weddings and fine art landscapes, and this camera gets the job done!!!

A great camera with a one serious flaw
Over the years I have used a variety of systems ranging from Pentax to Nikormat to Canon to Olympus and eventually back to Pentax. Why back to Pentax? Size and ergonomics. All of the major brands are good and some offer truly best in class - at a price - in optics such as Nikon and Canon.

However, for overall good value Pentax holds its own. While I would be happy to use equipment from any of the major brands, I am quite satisfied with Pentax - but I had to wait until last autumn to get my hands on a decent Pentax digital camera. The *istD, weird name and all, is such a camera. Overall I'm a happy camper and I have been taking some of the best photographs in my 30 years experience with this camera.

Other reviews here will tell you the camera's virtues and those features are real and not over stated. This is a professional class camera - though most professionals use Nikons and Canons when it comes to digital work for a number of reasons - usually due to optics and employers' standards. The optics from Pentax are still well respected and 99% of the folks reading this will be more than satisfied.

While battery life with this camera is very, very good, I would recommend considering getting the optional additional battery attachment that screws into the bottom of the camera. It looks like an old fashion motor drive but it provides excellent ergonomics when shooting side-wise (portrait) complete with the thumb and fore finger controls replicated for ease of use. It adds peace of mind by providing redundant power plus if you often shoot protrait framing, you can really hold this camera much better than most other cameras.

So what is the single, significant flaw of this camera? It is undoubtedly the flash card interface that is accessed via a door that doesn't swing completely open, tempting the user to push the card in a slightly wrong angle. Of course there are internal guides within the flash card holder assembly but even with care, over time, it is possible to break one of the tiny pins of the camera's interface to the flash card. I know. I have done it. The cost and speed of repair was minor, but suddenly one day out in the field I had a camera that was suddenly inoperable.

So that is why I give this other wise great camera only 4 stars. If you have a good investment in 35 mm Pentax gear, you really have no choice but this camera. But the good news, particularly if you are shooting in RAW, the output is incredible. Now that PhotoshopCS has upgraded its RAW import program via a free download from Adobe, the results from this camera can be absolutely stellar. But user beware when swapping out those flash cards!

My early impression: Wow!
After nearly 3 years of playing with other digital cameras I finally took the leap back into SLR-land and purchased this great Pentax camera. Though I am just beginning to explore its capabilities, so far I am delighted: there are a lot of advantages to SLR camera use that I missed from the film days.

As with any of the current crop of digital SLR's, you get a ton of flexibility and shooting speed at a price that would have been unthinkable just two years ago. If you are used to using film SLR's, and have been frustrated by certain aspects of using a typical digital camera, you will be happy to be back in the land of no-shutter-lag shooting; the ability to use a ring on the lens barrel for zooming; tons of manual flexibility combined with idiot-proof program modes; and of course the flexibility of many lens choices. What has particularly driven me crazy about the current crop of high-end non-SLR digicams is the use of EVF viewfinders -- by contrast, the viewfinders on digital SLR's are great.

So why this Pentax vs the other competitive models? (The others worth considering in this price range at this time are the Canon EOS 10D; the Canon Digital Rebel; the Nikon D70; the Nikon D100; or even the Sigma models). This Pentax has the same sensor as the Nikon models, and the imaging capabilities of any of these cameras is doubtless well beyond my skills in any case. So to me it came down to ease of use, size and build quality. Size in particular is important to me: if you just look at the specs of this camera on a cubic-inch basis it's 38% smaller than the Nikon D70 and 26% smaller than the Digital Rebel. The Canon 10d is even bigger, and looks like a house sitting next to the Pentax.

After handling all of these cameras, I concluded that the Pentax is the one I would use most often. Too often my film SLR's sat at home when I was using film -- I would grab a point-and-shoot instead. I really wanted something I would use a lot.

On the other hand, some published complaints (and my conclusions) about the Pentax have been:
(1) Images are too "soft" (this is super-easy to adjust if you use something like Adobe Album, Elements or Photoshop, and in return the camera is not "sharpening" the image for you, which can introduce sharpening noise)
(2) Not as many lenses as available as in the Canon or Nikon lines (There seem to be plenty for my purposes, both new and used)
(3) Memory cards are hard to eject (Doesn't seem that hard to me; you need to be careful no matter what camera you use).

Another issue (price) with this camera has been fixed: when it was introduced it was more expensive than the others in its class. But the price has been reduced and now is typically available at a price that slots it in as a bit more expensive than the D70 and less than the 10D.

All of these current digital slr's are great, and it seems to me that if you already owned Canon or Nikon lenses you wouldn't go wrong with one of their models. On the other hand, if you are starting from scratch (or like me, you own brands you can't use on any of these), the Pentax is worthy of serious consideration.

Wonderful Addition to the Pentax Line
The istD is Pentax's first serious entry into the digital market. Pentax are the people who came up with the K-1000, the no-frills manual camera which was so popular among students and artists. When one thinks of a name brand camera, Nikon and Canon are probably the first names to come to mind. Pentax is the underdog in 35mm, now a serious competitor in the digital world.

The CCD (digital film) is identical to that used in the Nikon D100. The istD accepts all manual focus and automatic focus Pentax lenses. Focal lengths are a bit different - so, if you have a 50mm "normal" Pentax lens, now you will have a 75mm lens when connected to this body.

I plugged in a CF card from my E-10 and all the photos I took showed up in the istD. No drivers or special software required for the USB cable - just plug the camera into a Windows OS and a harddrive appears with your photos on it.

If you are familiar with Pentax's Hyper-Program mode, you have it here again. Pentax is wonderful for tweak-ability. In "green" mode, you can set the program line to favor DOF or shutter speed. Hyper-Program mode allows you to tweak either the shutter or aperture. And, a totally manual mode is available.

There are three user-customizable banks of special tweaks, such as taking a picture before the flash full charges (option) or changing the action of a few of the buttons. In addition to a full bank of pre-set WB settings, there are three custom white balance settings which may be set using a greycard or piece of white paper. And, the viewfinder is loaded with indicators and a bar display light meter.

The best feature which made me say "wow" was the autofocus. Not only will the camera autofocus, but it flashes a red dot to show you what it is focusing on. You can manually select the focus point, or just override everything and put the focus dead center. If you don't like the red dot overlay, even that can be tweaked off.

It's fast. I took a few frames in rapid succession and was not left wanting for something faster. Of the most frustrating features of the Olympus E-10 was trying to fire off another frame - so many missed photos. Not the Pentax. When you need that little extra burst of speed, it's pretty quick.

The camera is also surprisingly light and small. The more common settings are off the program dial, such as ISO, image compression, and pixel depth. Other settings, such as sharpness, contrast, and color saturation are quickly accessed though the menu. The camera turns on fast and ready to fire. Matrix metering, center weighted metering, and spot metering all available. PC socket for external flash plus a hot shoe. Manual, automatic, and predictive continuous autofocus.

And, of course, the images are clear and crisp. It accepts up to a 1gig CF card or microdrive. A single connector provides USB and video out. If you want the LCD display on while the video output is used, well - that's a tweakable setting as well.

Back to Pentax .... after many yaers.... :-)
Well for a long time I've been one from the domain of MF 645 and saved many good words for Pentax quality. Well this camera isn't disappointment.
I've been using this camera for two weeks and can say it is cool! The image quality is very good, camera is easy to use, light, handy and steady. The overall impression is very positive. The Pentax optics is cool! I have tried it also with Sigma's 24-70 2.8 zoom that is amazingly and surprisingly quality stuff. ... Read more

Features

• Super compact, ultra-lightweight, credit-card-sized body
• Minimum focusing distance of 5.9 feet
• Sliding eye-distance adjustment system synchronizes the movement of both optical barrels
• Silver and black finish
• Clear viewing of the image from edge to edge

Amazon.com Product Description

Take razor-sharp and brilliantly colored digital photos with the Pentax Optio 430RS digital camera. Its 4-megapixel sensor is capable of resolutions of up to 2,301 by 1,712 pixels, which can produce quality prints from 11 by 14 inches to poster size. Sitting comfortably in your hand and encased in a stainless-steel shell, the 430RS has a 3x optical and 2x digital zoom for a total 6x magnification. Take pictures effortlessly with the autofocus, autoexposure, and autoflash systems, or you can switch to manual settings for more artistic control.

Several shooting modes are available for a variety of creative choices, such as standard, night scene, and metered manual. The movie mode records movie clips of up to 30 seconds. Digital-filter mode changes the picture tone to colors like sepia, red, and monochrome. A 3-D image mode gives photos a sense of depth and perspective when viewed with the included 3-D viewer.

Photos are stored on 11 MB of built-in memory, but you can add more memory via CompactFlash cards. Control and keep track of all the camera's functions with the large 1.6-inch LCD monitor. The camera can be easily connected to PCs and Macs through the USB port, allowing fast transfer of your photos and video to a computer for editing and sharing on the Internet. There is also a video-out jack so you can watch your work on a television. ... Read more

Features

• 4.0 megapixel sensor captures 2240 x 1680images for prints at 11 x 14 inches and beyond
• 3x optical plus 2x digital (6x total) zoom lens with autofocus
• Built-in 11 MB memory; expandable via CompactFlash (Type I) cards
• Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• Uses rechargeablelithium-ion battery (included)

Reviews (11)

Using the Pentax 430rs
I really like this camera. I have been using digital cameras for several years now and this one is easy to use and takes great pictures. The most important thing for me was size - I found that unless I could put the camera in my shirt pocket I rarely took it with me. This on is only slightly bigger than a pack of cigerettes. You need to buy a compact flash memory for it if you are going to take high resolution pic's as you can only get something like 8 of the highest res pictures. The battery is a strong one and will run for a long time, and one ought to have a extra - but finding one of these new lithium ion batteries has not been easy. You can even zoom in on a picture you have taken while reviewing it.

Worst 4MP digicam ever!!!
This camera may have 4 MP resolution but it has low definition and is one of the noisiest cameras I have ever seen. My old 2MP coolpix 950 looks much better. Exchanged it for the 3.2MP Canon Powershot A70 today.

Cool looks can be misleading...

Good form factor and picture quality
The Optio takes true 4MP pictures, which are good for enlarged prints. The image quality is good, with decent colors and slightly soft edges. (I personally don't like sharp edges anyway.) The form factor makes it easy to hold, and the 3X optical zoom is fast and accurate. You can use either the LCD viewfinder or the optical viewfinder, the latter saving you considerable battery life. A solid product that I think you'll like. Do look around for the best price.

This is an excellent 2 megapixel camera!
Frankly, I bought this camera thinking that I had found the perfect camera featuring 4MP, a 3x zoom, metal casing and all this in a very small format. The price was also really competitive, only the HP 812 was cheaper but it was made of plastic... (I think they share the same optics/CCD)

I found this camera extremely easy to use! The learning curve was almost inexistant. Althought there is only 6 exposure modes on the dial, I found that it was much easier to use than other cameras with 10-15 modes. You can set it with just a glimpse.

The 3D mode is especially cool, it permits to create a picture made of 2 frames shot 3-5 inches apart. This stereogram when printed in the proper size can be viewed with the special glasses (included) (or without, if you are able to "see" them...)

However, the honeymoon ended when i looked at the pictures upclose. Even when taken on a bright sunny day, pictures never achieved 4 megapixels of sharpness, more like 2 megapixels. Under lower lighting conditions (cloudy day), you could easily see noise. Also JPEG were a rather big (usually around 2600 KB) considering their lack of detail, but that was a lesser problem.

In the end, i had a really hard time deciding whether i should return it or not, but i finally did. There's no point in buying a 4 MP camera, if it produces 2 MP worth of quality at twice the price and more than twice the filesize (twice less pictures on a flash card), no matter how cute and easy to use it is... So i went ahead and bought a top of the line (but still compact) Canon Powershot S45. Althought it isn't has userfriendly, it give you 4 MP worth of picture.

It is not what one expects from 4MP camera
1. The most important, end point - picture qulity is disappointing. For 15x10cm size pictures it is still OK (then rather buy 2MP camera and save). Digital noise is high esp. when max resolution is used. Noise is easily seen even on pictures taken under direct daylight, never mind lesser light. Compared picture quality with 2MP Nikon Coolpix 2500 - no comparison.
2. Flash range 2 meters. Focus light <1 meter range.
3. Auto white balance recognises only daylight, the rest must be done manually.
4. Picture freezes while camera "slowly" adjusts focus. As the result your object might be gone. Poor light sensitivity (ISO"max"-200), ie. slow or no focus if light is poor.
5. Strange JPG compression system - files are mutch large then taken with other cameras with the same resolution and compression degree. Higher capacity CF card required (but where is the quality for a bigger file size?).
6. Features like "3D pictures" and "Colour filters (to make yellow, blue etc. pictures)" ... Who needs it???
7. No TV/AV output, no sound recording, no speaker, battery needs to be removed for charging, charging time 2hrs.
8. The rest is OK. ... Read more

Features

• Combines 800,000 pixel 1/3-inch Progressive CCD and 7x magnification (equivalent to a 280mm lens in 35mm format)
• Achieves fast, precise focus, even when using super telephoto settings
• Includes 16MB integrated flash memory, sufficient for 100 pictures in fine mode
• Choose between traditional binocular style viewing and a 1.6-inch LCD panel
• Shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/8000 second

Reviews (6)

Best buy for the time being..
I bought my Pentax digibino in Istanbul-Turkey, it is quite nice and user friendly equipment. I rated it with 4 stars,as it needs external memory slot and more powerful lenses to get all five (at least 10x optical zoom). Pentax has the quality as expected,
battery life is a bit short so it is better to use with 1800-2000 mA rechargable Ni-Mh or Li-ion batteries.. It is being sold about 350$ (inc. VAT), but I bought mine for 220$ that is very good buy thanks to sellers favour..It is not a toy as some comments marked it out if you check its prices comperatively with the normal digital cameras with 7x optical zoom..Thanks to PENTAX for not letting me to buy cheaper versions of similar kind of cameras by producing well designed Digibino.

just an expensive toy
The concept of digital binoculars is exciting. Unfortunately, the ones that have been produced so far are nothing more than expensive toys. You might as well tape together the cheapest binoculars and cheapest digital camera you can find. Most of the digital binoculars on the market are clearly toys, but this model has the appearance that it might be different. It's not. Look at the tiny lens in the center. Does it look like it would produce good photos of distant objects?

Terrific for birders!
I bought the DigiBino mainly to use while birdwatching, and it's ideal for that purpose. I'm very pleased with it. The built-in digital camera is a solid middle-of-the-road digicam, with a good memory capacity (100 shots at best quality), and the automatically adjusting shutter speed lets me take pictures more quickly with less fussing. I'm not a photographer, so I like all of the automatic features built into the camera. The zoom is excellent. And with the camera off, the DigiBino works just fine as a medium-end pair of binoculars.

Unlike the other reviewer, I didn't have any difficulty adjusting the width of the eyepieces or the focal settings. The digital menus and settings are clear and easy to use. The DigiBino is USB-enabled, and I installed it on my computer with no trouble or fuss at all. It took about five minutes and it was up and running. It's easy to get the images off the camera onto the hard drive to save and edit them, too.

I think the Digibino is an all-around good value -- I would definitely recommend it for someone who enjoys birdwatching and would like to take pictures of the birds they see, but who is not a serious photography buff and doesn't want the expense and hassle of buying and carrying a separate digital camera. I love mine!

love the digibino DB 100
well having read a couple bad reviews on this camera...i decided to buy it...i trust pentax. turns out that it was exactly what i was looking for...im really impressed with it. only thing i dislike is the soft case...it should be a more durable material to protect the camera. so all you folks...if you have doubts about it....go for it....i love mine!!

This item really "is bad"
Bought this for my wife, an avid bird watcher. She was shocked at the poor quality compared to the high price to say the least! First, .8 mega pixels "is bad". Next 3X is even worse than the low megapixels. And worst. There is no way to adjust the distance between the eye pieces, therefore, if you are more than 10 years old you can't see through the thing. So it is back in the box and will probably never be used again. This item would be 5 stars if it were "a lot less than I paid for it." It is a yard sale item. Best price and best service on Amazon as always. ... Read more