Pentax, K10D

Different body, different sensor, different target user – it seems that Pentax has shaken things up a bit. Competitors’ cams, such as the Canon EOS 400D and the Olympus E-410 have dust-removal systems that give the sensor a good old shake when you start up, but the Pentax goes one step further, combining dust-removal with anti-shake, which should cut the blur in low-light shots.

RAW talent
It also comes with RAW conversion software, which will appeal to techies and pros. RAW files offer the potential for better image quality for those who don’t mind extra work on the computer, and here it’s a simple button-press option, so you can decide shot-by-shot.

That said, the controls are all over the place with this camera – there are buttons everywhere and you will have to resort to the manual to make sense of them.

The picture quality is great, though, with strong contrast and rich colours that have a very ‘film-like’ look, though sharpness is only average. Pity the AF is so graunchy, too.

Not for dummies
The K10D is firmly designed with enthusiasts and pros in mind, so you won’t find any auto scene modes here, although there is a green full-auto mode for idiot-proof snapping.

Previous Pentax SLRs have been compact but meatyand this one’s a step up in size from its ancestors. Beginners might moan, but enthusiasts will love its cast-iron build and grippy body. When you’re not shooting pictures you could probably bang in nails with it. Good if you’ve got big hands, too, and well-suited to professional demands.

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It’s also worth noting that lens mount. It’s compatible with Pentax K-mount lenses going right back to the 1980s, albeit with some metering/AF limitations, depending on the lens. There are plenty of bargains out there on eBay, too, and some of those older lenses are crackers.

This is a pro-quality camera at an amateur price. And don’t forget you’re getting dust-reduction and anti-shake too.