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It may be the cheapest DSLR on the market, but the Pentax K100D isn't short of advanced features, performance or image quality, and can comfortably hold its own against the Nikon D40. Build quality, design and handling are all superb, and the Shake Reduction system is as good as any on the market. If you're looking for a good entry-level DSLR with the option to build up a kit, then look no further."

The true power of the Pentax K100D lies in the image quality, which is -after all- the most important aspect of the camera. We should point out that with its 6 Megapixels, the K100D does trail slightly behind on the competition. Then again, does that really matter? The 6 Megapixels easily suffice to make an A3 size print, especially with the quality the Pentax K100D has to offer. Both the color rendition and the sharpness prove excellent. If you capture your photos in RAW, you will be able to get even more from the camera. Even when working with higher sensitivities, the K100D performs superbly indeed, in fact, remarkably well for a camera with a relatively old sensor..."

Not only has Pentax improved in-camera image processing but they appear to have overtaken some of the competition, the amount of detail delivered is about as much as we could expect to see from a six megapixel CCD. On top of this they've also taken the sensible compromise of using a minimal amount of noise reduction and not turning down sharpening at higher sensitivities which means you get almost as much detail at ISO 1600 as you would at ISO 200. This combination means that assuming the 'input image' is sharp (good lens and/or stopped down slightly) you're going to get a great detailed image..."

The K100D is up against some pretty stiff competition including Canon's Rebel XT and Nikon's D50. At 6 megapixels the K100D looks to be holding the short straw in this contest since most of its rivals sport at least 8 megapixel resolution, but the K100D is fairly cheap ($699 with 18mm-55mm/f/3.5-f5.6 Pentax DA zoom), dependable and robustly built, simple to operate, and capable of producing consistently excellent results.

Serious amateur shooters may have a few issues, but family snap-shooters, P&S digicam users just making the jump to a dSLR, student photographers, casual shutterbugs, and old timers with a collection of Pentax glass will appreciate the K100D's reasonable price, robust construction, operational simplicity, use of available anywhere AA batteries, image stabilization, and solid performance."

In true contrarian style, the K100D is the more expensive of the two, thanks to Pentax's own sensor-shifting optical image stabilization. Aside from that, the two SLRs are identical. Both feature 2.5-inch LCD screens, 11-point autofocus, and sensitivity as high as ISO 3,200; and they accept the legions of Pentax lenses, including fully manual lenses dating back further than the K1000. The unwashed, pixel-obsessed masses will no doubt complain about the 6.1-megapixel CCD sensor, but it's still more than enough for letter-size prints, which should be plenty for most casual shooters. Plus, at this price, it's one of the best bargains in the dSLR market."

The Pentax K100D Digital SLR is a great digital camera. It feels very comfortable in hand, and produces very natural pictures with little noise and rich pleasing colors. This camera is very easy to use (in auto mode), and would definitely suit a beginner. The camera offers good battery life, with very good controls and good build quality. The addition of Shake Reduction through an anti-shake CCD sensor means more photos are likely to come out blur free - image stabilization is an excellent feature to have and is especially useful indoors in low light...."

It's good to see Pentax come out swinging, offering a tight, affordable camera for consumers. For my part, I'm still rubbing my chin about the concept of the K100D with a 43mm or 40mm prime lens for daily carry in a waistpack, chucking the point-and-shoot digicam in favor of a larger sensor and higher quality optics, not to mention the ease of AA batteries. Now that this review is over, I'm going to twist that silver Pentax FA 43mm Limited lens back on and test my theory until they make me return it."

The Pentax K100D is a camera that has attracted a lot of interest from photographers looking to purchase a relatively economical dSLR. Whereas its 6.1 megapixel resolution may seem to be only "average", in comparison to many current dSLR cameras, the K100D's image quality leaves nothing to be desired."