PENTAX Introduces smc PENTAX DA 17-70mm f/4 AL [IF] SDM Lens

http://www.infoborder.com/News/2008/June/pentax_lens.php

One noteworthy change compared to Pentax's pro-grade DA* lenses with SDM is the use of the KAF3 (rather than previous SDM lenses' KAF2) lens mount on the 17-70mm. The KAF3 mount is almost functionally identical to the KAF2, with two contacts driving the internal focusing motor, but the new mount eliminates the secondary focus drive option via the body's focusing motor found on KAF2 lenses. Hence, rather than reverting to body-driven auto focus on older Pentax bodies (anything further back than the K10D or K100D Super), the new DA 17-70mm is manual focus only in these applications.

While users with older Pentax digital bodies may be disappointed at the loss of AF compatibility with the latest lens, the move to KAF3 spells good news for current Pentax shooters: outside of its dimunitive DA Limited glass (which will retain body-driven AF), look for new lenses from the manufacturer to feature SDM focus drive exclusively going forward.

My reasons for rating this camera as 4.5/5.0 ---classification.

1. construction: very well built - sturdy body. Buttons at in areas that are easy to reach. The screen is bold and colourful.

2. features: nicely presented - as what is to be found on a pro series SLR camera.

3. Image quality: This is where I honestly have to say - I'm taken! I have a Nikon D300 and I have to say that this Pentax K20D camera not only performs better in some cases than the D300 in terms of noise- but the colours on the Pentax are brighter and bolder too. Amazing... you'll just have to go and and see for yourselves. Remarkable.... and eye opening!

Value for money....

Here is a great pleace to find more about Pentax K20D:
http://www.infoborder.com/Digital_Cameras/Pentax/k20d.php

You can't beat the price for the quality... not at all!

This camera is one of the few P&S cameras that sports a longer than usual 7x optical zoom within the body of the camera rather than extending outside of it. Image quality outside is decent when used at ISO 64 and 100. Indoor flash pictures are good as long as you shoot from ISO 64-200. Above that, noise is quite apparent. There are the usual preprogrammed scene functions for different shooting conditions, including a novel digital wide shot that allows you to shoot two vertically held shots and blend them together into one wide shot a la mini-panorama. The 7x zoom is quite useful and the fact that the lens does not extend beyond the camera makes it one of the smallest with this capability. Here are the complete feature list: http://www.infoborder.com/Digital_Cameras/Pentax/optio_z10.php

Problems:

The only problem I've seen is the marginal image performance indoors at ISOs higher than 200.

If you liked the K10D you will love this camera, Pentax are at last getting things right, well almost.

The auto white balance is much improved even in warm lighting and the exposure seems much more accurate but beware this camera will blow highlights. Noise in RAW images, is different to what I have been used to with other Pentax DSLR’s. Excellent at ISO100 but very visible at ISO200 so you expect it to be unusable at ISO1600 / 3200 but it is not, it is very good. The new in camera noise reduction for JPG images seems to work very well.

Focus accuracy seems much better and the ability to be able to adjust for DA lens is great but needs to be done with care.

Is this the first Pentax DSLR that will produce great JPG images straight from the box?

(Very) Highly Recommended ! It is a great camera.

Here you can see Pentax K20D video reviews: http://www.infoborder.com/Digital_Cameras/Video/PentaxK20D.php


Problems:

Focusing accuracy still affected by light temperature.

The Expand Dynamic Range function as far as I can tell only works in JPG where it gives up to one stop of protection from burning highlights.

Like the K10 when it was first introduced, there is an error in DNG files that cause Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom to indicate inaccurate image colour temperature. With DNG files this makes the use of the standard Lightroom settings for daylight etc, unusable and it displays incorrect value for green / magenta tint. PEF files are not affected.