Pentax K110D Review

The Pentax K110D, along with its sibling the K100D, are the company's first DSLR models to forgo the rather confusing "*ist" branding. Both share an identical (newly developed) body and feature set, with the exception of an anti-shake mechanism - found on the K100D, but not the K110D. In excluding the stabilization mechanism from its feature set, Pentax managed to keep the list price of the K110D a full $100 below that of the Shake Reduction-equipped K100D.

The Pentax K110D has a sensor resolution of six megapixels, and accept lenses using the Pentax KAF lens mount. Focusing can be controlled automatically or manually, and uses a phase detection system with 11 points (nine of them cross-type) to determine focus. Images can be framed using a penta-mirror optical viewfinder, and reviewed on a 2.5" LCD display with a resolution of 210,000 pixels. A choice of program, aperture- and shutter-priority or manual exposure modes; 16-segment multi, center-weighted or spot metering; shutter speeds from 30 - 1/4000 second; user-selectable ISO sensitivity from 200 - 3200 equivalent, plus eight white balance modes including fully manual white balance let your creative juices flow. For fun snapshots, the K110D offers a range of automatic controls including eight scene modes and four Picture modes (the latter essentially being scene modes that have positions on the mode dial rather than being accessed through the LCD display). A five-mode flash strobe is also available, along with a two or twelve-second self timer.

The Pentax K110D stores images on optional Secure Digital or MultiMediaCards, in either Raw (uncompressed) or JPEG (compressed) formats. Connectivity includes both NTSC / PAL switchable video output and a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed computer link, as well as a DC input connection for powering the camera when batteries are impractical (in a photo studio, for example). Power otherwise comes from four AA or 2 CR-V3 batteries including disposable types, offering a little extra versatility when you're on the road and can't get to a power point to charge up.