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March 16, 2009

Pentax K-m review

Product Code: 17302

Want more professional looking photographs from an interchangeable lens camera without a steep learning curve or the need to forfeit a king's ransom? Pentax's 10.2Mp entry-level Pentax K-m ticks all three boxes, while a solid-feel stainless steel chassis ensures it withstands the odd knock.

Despite this the Pentax K-m remains one of the lightest, most compact and portable SLR cameras available at only 525g.

This is without the supplied 18-55mm kit lens attached, though, (equivalent to 27.5mm-84.5mm in 35mm terms), or the four AAs required for power. And, though not quite as diminutive as Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds G1, the Pentax K-m is nearly £200 cheaper.

The Pentax K-m powers up in just over a second with a flick of the on/off switch encircling the shutter release button. With a large space for the thumb to rest at the rear, it sits comfortably in the hand as your left grips the lens barrel.

Icon-led shooting modes are readily accessed via the Pentax K-m's top plate dial, with key info clearly displayed on the 2.7in, 230k pixel resolution rear LCD when not in review mode. While a 5-point wide area AF is modest, JPEG, RAW or RAW+JPEG format captures are offered, as is a relatively broad light sensitivity range stretching from ISO100 to ISO3200.

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Very useful for novices is an Auto Picture mode whereby the Pentax K-m recognises subjects and automatically adjusts its settings to deliver optimum results, operating in a similarly effective way to the Intelligent Auto Mode found on Panasonic's point-and-shoot Lumix compacts.

Also unusual for a DSLR at this price point is the Pentax K-m's built in shake reduction system that ensures any attached Pentax K mount lens becomes immediately stabilised - thus helping to reduce blur from external hand wobble - plus a dust removal system that shakes the CCD sensor free of any undesirables that may intrude when swapping lenses.

For the most part the Pentax K-m's lens delivers a commendably high level of detail, with colours well saturated; our only gripe being the purple fringing noticeable between areas of high contrast when zooming. That said it's not a bad performance at all for a starter model - delivering good results with minimal fuss and at an attractive price.

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Independent customer reviews from

Pentax K-m scored:
8.9 out of 10 100% real reviews

The 2 most helpful reviews based on 7 reviews:

25 May 2009 John, Cannock, Staffordshire.

10

Good Points

Have not mastered the intricacies and all of the mass of tools available on this camera as yet, being a bit of a technophobe, but for what I needed it for it has been brilliant. Got great motorsport photo's, great wildlife photos, family photos etc, all round excellent photo's for everything you could use it for. Build quality is excellent in my opinion. Standard features are simple and easy to use. Used my existing lenses with it no problem at all. Always used a standard SLR but cannot see me going back to it now i've finally gone digital. I am very very pleased with this purchase and would definitely recommend it for someone going digital for the first time and who wants great photos without too much trouble.

Bad Points

Not found any yet

14 Feb 2009 Richard, Ipswich

9

Good Points

Easy to understand controls. Help button very useful. Information on the LCD very comprehensive - but see below Build quality very good. Price, with discount and 'free' second lens, exceptional

Bad Points

Have yet to work out how to have image visible on the LCD rather than the information

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Total reviews: 4,313

See product specs

expert rating

Build quality

4/5

Features

3.5/5

Value for money

4.5/5

Overall

4/5

expert rating

Pentax K-m

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