This week’s reviews
Steve at Steve’s Digicams has reviewed Pentax K100D Super – latest update for Pentax entry level DSLR line-up. Unfortunately Steve hasn’t got the new DA* lenses (most of the sample photos are made with DA 12-24mm F4) so the most important new feature that differs K100D Super from its predecessor – Supersonic Drive Motor lenses support – haven’t been tested and even mentioned in his review.
Another Pentax K100D Super review is posted by JerryJ at DigitalCameraReview:
Since my day-to-day cameras are a Pentax K10D and Pentax *ist DL, I was curious how the K100D Super would compare. I expected the camera to perform better than the *ist DL but fall short of the K10D. What I discovered was that the K100D Super is much more like its big brother the K10D than I expected. In short, this is one amazing little camera… …the K100D Super is the best value on the market.
Japanese Impress Watch website have tested Pentax DA* 50-135mm F2.8 SDM lens. Automatic translation is close to unreadable but full resolution samples are talking by themselves. By the way, Amazon offers DA* 50-135mm F2.8 for $851.04.
DigitalCameraInfo have criticized Pentax A30 point&shoot digicam in the thorough review they have published recently: “With inaccurate colors, high noise levels, limited dynamic range, and terrible video quality, this camera isn’t worth the $350 price tag.“
October 2nd, 2007 at 2:20 pm
“…but with Pentax’s proprietary SMC coating.”
Is it still proprietary? Note that Sigma is using the same terminology in their description of the 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX lens:
“Super Multi Coating reduces flare and ghosting that tends to occur when using digital SLR cameras.”
Since the patent on the coating process must be around 35 years old, I wonder if it is still exclusive to Pentax. I’ve never worked with a Sigma lens with SMC, so can’t comment on any comparison from experience. A number of Pentax lenses with it have me sold on its value.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Sigma’s coating is called “SML coating” – Super Multi Layer coating.
October 4th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
The above was a direct quote (highlight, copy and paste) from their website:
http://sigma-photo.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3286&navigator=6