DxO Tests:Pentax K-m (K2000)

DxO Labs' DSLR RAW tests are freely available for anyone who wants to look up and then quickly compare the sensor abilities of many of the top-selling cameras. I think their published results actually prove how remarkably similar all the DSLR cameras behave across markers like dynamic range and color depth. Sure, there's latitude, but within given groups, it's not that wide at all. When the latest image quality test results were published for the K-m (K2000 in the U.S.), I thought it would be neat to do a comparison versus the K20D and the Canon 50D, both of which have similar features to the K-m, but obviously more bells and whistles (higher resolution, expanded ISO range, etc.). How did the K-m fair? Not bad at all. Take a look:

The K-m actually matches the Canon 50D in key areas, like dynamic range, and comes out ahead on the sensor aptitude scale. This is for a camera half the price and considerably smaller. Now, some cameras fair better in these tests than others (Nikon's D700 and D3x are shining examples), but what makes the K-m twinkle, too, is that it holds its own against some very advanced models because its sensor system is a proven workhorse, inherited from the K10D. The K-m's only shortcomings are those which the U.K.'s Photography Blog called out already in their review of the K-m last year, when they compared its performance to its predecessor, the K200D:

"The K-m even improves on the more expensive K200D in some areas, notably a faster continuous shooting speed of 3.5 fps, expanded ISO range of 100-3200, and a less cluttered main menu system. Admittedly there are some downgrades, most notably the 5 point AF system which makes it more difficult to track moving subjects, slightly less powerful pop-up flash and the complete lack of any Live View or Digital Preview functionality (the K200D offers the latter).

Given the aggressive price-point, however, the Pentax K-m certainly hits the mark in terms of features, performance and most importantly image quality. The only major difference between the K-m and K200D is that the latter offers better low-light performance, with intrusive amounts of noise appearing at ISO 1600 rather than 800 on the K-m. In all other respects the 10 megapixel images from the cameras are very similar, with very little purple-fringing, accurate colours and a useful built-in flash and Bulb exposure mode, all delivered with the minimum of user input and effort."

Those italics at the end are my emphasis, which brings me back to what I think is the strongest point about the K-m, and one which you can't really test adequately at this point (no fault of DxO's, though): the user interface. The large rear LCD screen accentuates a well-reasoned grid-like menu system that isn't as recursive as you find in other Pentax models. In fact, it's similar to Canon and Nikon entry-level models in that respect, and as such it's very intuitive and allows you to toggle the features you're looking for quickly (I commented on that back when I first tried it out last fall). I'd call it the Hyper-Function menu, if I could. I hope Pentax rolls more of these "special" menu considerations into their higher end cameras, because, quite frankly, menu drilling isn't my favorite activity. It may be that the engineers were thinking about catering to a specific demographic when they made these interface choices (see the Designers' Notes), but the end result is one that I believe benefits any user. It's simple to use, and that's not something to overlook on a camera targeted to new DSLR users.

Pentax Hyper-Program and Hyper-Manual: Features for the "Best Camera in the World"

Planet Neil's Neil van Niekerk recently started blogging about the features he would characterize as being essential to the mythical beast known as "the best camera in the world." Not only did Neil laud the Pentax "Hyper" system as one of his defacto requirements for such a camera, but he gave one of the best real world descriptions for how Hyper-Program and Hyper-Manual actually work (outside of the Pentax Forums):

"When Pentax brought out the Pentax Z-1 / PZ-1 in the early 90’s, they had re-thought the way a camera’s exposure modes should to be implemented, in a most inspired way. They had the usual range of exposures modes we all know, such as Shutter Priority (Tv) and Aperture Priority (Av). But Program mode became Hyper-Program; and Manual mode became Hyper-Manual. Sure this sounded gimmicky, until you handled the camera and realised what they achieved.

Hyper-Program worked like Program mode, except that if you dialed the shutter button, it would immediately change to Shutter Priority (Tv), as you change to specific shutter speeds. Similarly, if you dialled the Aperture dial, then the camera instantly changed to Aperture Priority mode (Av), as you set the aperture. No need to switch mode dials on the top of the camera. You just turned either the aperture dial or shutter speed dial to change between the modes at will. And if you wanted to return to the usual Program mode, you just hit the * (star) button. Intuitive and simple. (And no, this is completely different than Program Shift.)

Hyper-Manual worked a similar elegant magic in how you controlled the camera’s manual exposure mode. Let’s say you rely on your built-in meter in this scenario. If you use any other camera in manual exposure mode, you have to dial the shutter button and aperture button to get to the correct combination for proper exposure. With Hyper-Manual, you just hit the * button, and the camera entered a combination of settings for you, depending on where you pointed your camera. This combination of settings could be according to a Program-mode line, or according to the shutter speed your camera happened to be at; or the aperture your camera happened to be at. (This was set deeper in the menu according to your preference.)"

Neil goes on to explain how this translates into saving you time from fiddling with the program dial:

"Let’s say you knew you’d be working at f2.8 ... then you’d just hit the * button and the appropriate shutter speed was entered for you. Perfect for working with the camera’s spot-meter. If you’ve ever tried to spot-meter with a long lens on your camera while hand-holding it, AND looking at your metering display .. then you know how tough it is. But with Hyper-Manual mode, you just hit the * button while looking precisely where your spot-meter is aiming. Much faster. You just hit one button with your thumb, and you’re set.

Now, should you decide you have the correct exposure, but want to change your shutter speed or aperture, then you hit the Exposure Lock button, and change either the aperture or shutter speed .. and the other setting will follow in relation to the metering value that was entered.

With any other camera, let’s say you have 1/500th @ f2.8 but you want 1/200th @ f4.5 ... then you’d have to turn both dials by the same amount of clicks. But with Hyper-Manual mode, you lock the exposure combination, and just change the one dial. Either one. Doesn’t matter.

The way these two modes work is such an incredible stroke of genius, that any camera that doesn’t have those two modes, is severely hampered already. The Best Camera in the World needs to have Pentax’s Hyper-Program and Hyper-Manual modes."

To learn more about what Neil looks for in his "best camera," be sure to read the rest of his post at his blog. Highly recommended.

Pentax Hyper-Program on the K10D, from Pentax Digiichi

The current Pentax DSLR camera (as of April 2009) that uses the most sophisticated incarnation of these features is the K10D/K20D. For more information about Hyper-Program and Hyper-Manual, the Pentax Digiichi site has two special introductions to the features written by Izumi Taniguchi: Master Hyper Program Operations & Master Hyper-Manual Operations.

It's all about the Jeeps

This weekend saw Pentax USA President Ned Bunnell post some more shots to his blog with the DA 15mm. Admittedly, I think I'd want this lens as my good walking around lens when I'm on vacation. That's just how it seems to behave in Ned's hands. And what would a personal DA 15mm shot collection be without an obligatory Jeep picture? Cue The Ventures:

It was also nice to see Ned also chime in with some calming remarks about last week's frenzied rumor discussions:

"Having seen a lot of less than complimentary things said about me in the past, which I understand is part of being open and approachable on the internet, I had to laugh this morning when I read this comment by GnusMas on pentaxforums that was in response to a heated exchange on who knew more about a certain upcoming model from Pentax..."Ahh its OK maybe next year you to can buddy up to Ned at the PMA and try to get your very own NDA . I suggest you start building your tomato shot portfolio I hear that's one way into NED's heart. lol." I think the whole point about my love of tomatoes stems from the realization that what tends to typify many Pentax shooters is that they have a pretty balanced life wherein photography is only one of their passions and pursuits. I think we tend to harbor a higher percentage of independent minded shooters who enjoy the pursuit of photography first and are less obsessed with their gear."

For more on this tangent, read Ned's full post here: Op-Ed Thoughts by the Spa

PS. Did you catch Mike Johnston call out the Spotmatic and 50mm F1.4 Takumar on his list of cameras for the collectors?

The DA LImited 15mm F4 Round-Up

Earlier this week, I was thrilled to see Yvon Bourque enjoying his new DA 15mm on a trip to the San Bernardino Mountains, because the lens seems to do fantastic things in the bright light, especially stopped down to F8 or higher. Check out the contrast in this picture:

This makes me just as giddy as when I first saw Ned Bunnell's blog postings in February about how the lens looked, and what the new DA Limited 3x case was like. It really made me want this lens as part of a trio (DA 15mm, 35mm, and 77mm). Ned's early test shots out at San Clemente Pier and the follow-up shots were mouth watering, too, such as this close-up:

So, now that proper reviews are coming in, notably today's DP Review test of the DA Limited 15mm, I'm a bit surprised they didn't like the lens as much as I was expecting. Everyone else raves about it. According to their test, MTF sharpness peaks at about F7.1-F8:

Considering that it barely touches 1500 on the MTF-50 scale for their test is really difficult for me to relate to the sharp images I've seen with the lens elsewhere. And the sharpness drop-off and light fall-off in the corners that DP Review experienced is also surprising. I'm sure they didn't get a bad lens, but my gut intuition tells me that your personal mileage may vary with this lens. Particularly because of Mike's first snaps at The Online Photographer just a little while ago this month:

There's something special about the DA 15mm's clarity, especially in the better shots I've seen lately, that comes not from the accumulation of small details (the lens is sharp) but the overall handling of light, color, and contrast, so much so that it reminds me of Leica wide-angle lenses. It's there even with the CA and corner issues. That's my overall feeling on the matter. I hope this lens has more legs to it than the first numerical testing reviews imply, because I have a feeling it's a sleeper hit for Pentax.

Mysterious New K? DSLR Coming Soon

(Updated, with special thanks to 1001 Noisy Cameras.) The net is full of speculation this week. Curiously, The Online Photographer withheld his number 2 recommended camera pick today, alluding that he'd have to wait a month... and from a Russian site, it appeared Pentax may have leaked the above image referencing May 21st. Coincidence?

The DPReview Pentax forums are in a tizzy with uncorroborated specifications and blurry images of this camera already dubbed by spies as the "K7D." Which Pentax Europe then denied. It purportedly has a super-fast 1/8000 shutter speed, a 1.0x viewfinder, a square sensor, mirror lock-up, 77 zone light metering, better AF, DR, and SR, with Live View, HD Video, and low noise at 6400 ISO. But none of this is official. And it could be fake.

The rumor mill hasn't been this excited since the time before the first K10D, and the guessing is getting picked up in a lot of places that wouldn't have Pentax usually on their radar. Long story short: when the truth comes out, it's probably going to be huge.

[Update #2: On Friday, Yvon Bourque has tipped his hat to reveal that he's confirming that Pentax has definitely got something big planned as a new flagship model (see his post here, which includes a run-down of all the assorted blurry shots).]

New Firmware 1.03 for K20D To Improve SR

Just out today, for K20D users only, Pentax/Hoya have released a firmware upgrade that is meant to improve the accuracy of the Shake Reduction system. It's available as an installer that runs off an SD card (32MB min, although the patch itself is very small).

You can download the firmware from Pentax Japan here, and soon from other Pentax international sites. To read more about the K20D's excellent Shake Reduction, there's plenty of info at this Pentax sub-site: In-Body SR of the K20D

$50 Rebate on K200+Lens+Flash Kit in U.S. for a Limited Time

From April 3-11, 2009 (not much time, just a week), Pentax is offering a rebate for select digital cameras, including one DSLR system - the K2000 with 18-55mm lens and AF200FG flash. That means U.S. customers can spend $599 and get $50 back through an instant rebate (no need to submit claim or fill out forms or wait 8 weeks) right at the retailer, so the invoice price is $549. Or less, if the participating retailer is selling it with a lower price. Not bad. I hereby declare it officially buy a Pentax K2000 week! Now, when will they have an instant rebate program for lenses? All the details are at PentaxImaging.com.