The fastest-growing part of the camera market is currently being powered by photographers moving from compact cameras to DSLRs. Unfortunately for manufacturers, the added competition this has attracted has seen the prices they can charge being eroded (although it could be argued that the lower prices are spurring some of that growth). Rather than trying to slash the prices on their existing, highly-featured cameras, there has been a trend towards designing simplified cameras that can be made and sold more cheaply, offering only the features that first-time DSLR users will want without appearing too intimidating.
For many years, Pentax was often in the position of offering the least-expensive DSLR on the market with some keenly-priced entry-level offerings. However, the latest generation of down-specced and aggressively-priced models from Nikon and Sony have dramatically changed the price-conscious end of the market. Pentax has clearly been watching these developments closely and has responded with this, the Pentax K2000 (K-m in Europe).
The K2000 follows many of the trends we've previously seen in camera-downsizing, with Pentax finally giving-in to the trend of removing the top-panel LCD. It uses the K200D's sensor but comes with a simplified control layout (geared towards users coming from compact cameras) and a less sophisticated AF-system (5 points vs 11 on the K200D). The K-m also lacks the K200D's weather-sealing but in turn you get an ISO 3200 setting and slightly quicker continuous shooting.
Lightweight lenses
In addition to the smaller body, Pentax has re-engineered two of its consumer zooms to further reduce the weight of the overall package. The new versions of the the 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 and the 50-200mm F4.0-5.6 are designated DA L (for lightweight, on our scales the 18-55mm L measured 24g lighter than its standard counterpart), and can be distinguished by the silver, rather than green ring encircling them.
| The new DA L lenses | The 18-55 new DA L next to its DA counterpart |
Compared to K200D - key differences
Pentax K2000 |
Pentax K200D |
|
|---|---|---|
| Body material | Plastic, stainless steel chassis | Plastic, stainless steel chassis, weather-sealed |
| Sensor | • 23.5 x 15.7 mm CCD sensor • 10.75 million total pixels • 10.2 million effective pixels |
• 23.5 x 15.7 mm CCD sensor • 10.7 million total pixels • 10.2 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes | • 3872 x 2592 pixels • 3008 x 2000 pixels • 1824 x 1216 pixels |
• 3872 x 2592 pixels • 3008 x 2000 pixels • 1824 x 1216 pixels |
| Dust reduction | CCD-shake | CCD-shake |
| Image stabilization | CCD-shift | CCD-shift |
| Flash | • Built-in P-TTL pop-up flash |
• Built-in P-TTL pop-up flash |
| AF-System | • 5-area AF (SAFOX VIII) • TTL Phase matching AF system |
• 11-area AF (SAFOX VIII) • TTL Phase matching AF system • Focus point selectable |
| ISO | • Auto • 100 • 200 • 400 • 800 • 1600 • 3200 • D-Range |
• Auto • 100 • 200 • 400 • 800 • 1600 • D-Range |
| Shadow compensation | • Yes | • No |
| Continuous shooting | • 3.5fps for 5 frames JPEG or 4 RAW • 1.1fps JPEG until card is full or 7 RAW frames |
• 2.8fps for 4 frames JPEG or RAW • 1.1fps JPEG until card is full or 4 RAW frames |
| LCD monitor | • 2.7" TFT LCD • 230,000 dots |
• 2.7" TFT LCD • 230,000 dots |
| Dimensions | 122.5 x 91.5 x 67.5mm (4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in) |
133.5 x 95 x 74mm (5.2 x 3.7 x 2.9 in) |
| Weight | 625g (22.0oz.) With and alkaline batteries SD card |
690g (24.3oz.) With lithium batteries and SD card |
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