Ergonomics, ease of use, Hyper Program, Eight segment/spot/center weighted metering. cheap lenses, and overall price and value.

Slow autofocus and loud compared to newer models. Hard to find good pro quality lenses.

I got this camera basically to upgrade my pentax equipment from a me super and zx-10. I waited for a deal, and I got one. The camera met all my expectations from ease of use to ergonomics. Hyper program mode makes it so easy to switch apature or shutter speeds at the touch of a button. If you get this camera the FDP grip is a must. Older pentax lenses come cheap used. It is one of the better cameras in its class and price range. If you are a pentax user, you will love this camera.

Customer Service

never used

Similar Products Used:

PZ-10, ZX-50, ZX-10, Me Super, smc lenses

Solid build, powerful functionality, multi-exposure mode (up to 9 exposures).

No battery grip (but again, after about 60-80 rolls, who cares).. Would have liked to have the function setting dial of the MZs , but have learned to live with the programmability of the PZ1p

Coming from a long line of Canon Cameras, I started with a ZX50, then ZX5n, and then the PZ1p, and now (also) an MZs. The PZ1P is a sherman tank of a camera. It is solid, feels good in the hands and it has all the features a semi-pro would ever require. In comparrison to the MZs, it is more ruggedly built and even though I do like the function access on the MZs, the PZ1p has all the same functionality. If you can still find the PZ1p body out there, I would recommend it over the MZs. Prepare for a bit of a learning curve and keep that laminated function sheet in your bag, but the PZ1p is a camera that is built to last.

Customer Service

None needed yet.

Similar Products Used:

ZX5N, ZX30, ZX50, MZs, Canon AE1, AE1P

Great ergonomics. Seems to fit my hand perfectly. If the lens isnt too big, I can control apature, shutter speed, and the shutter all with one hand. That leads me to another point, that way Ive got it set up, its very easy to set to manual. I find the autofocus to perform very well, but then again I dont have a huge amount of experience with automatic cameras. The camera seems to focus quickly and in low light. There is only one focus point, but it is easy to focus on the point and then compose the image. I can easily switch to manual mode. SIDE MOUNTED FLASH. I really like this. Its easily to look over the camera and the slight offset adds a little bit of varience in the shadoe. Plus, having the flash closer to the grip decreases torque on your hand. No experiments done, but it seems like this would decrease hand fatique. Plus, having a side mounted flash just looks cool. You can set the camera to leave the film leader out. This is especially usefull if you are in the middle of one role and decide you want to switch...just done leave the lens cap off as you pictate to the last picture.

No electronic depth of field preview (it does have manual. This means that in order to get a correct depth of field preview I switch the lens out of automatic mode and control the apature via the lens). The only problem with this is the speed at which you can do a depth of field preview. It does not have a central focusing prism...course what autofocus camera does? This is just a gernaral compaint for me. The camera is a little load in comparison to some similar, but more expensive cameras. If you will be taking pictures in a quiet concert hall, you might want to cut some foam blocks to cut out the shutter noise. Also, the camera does not have a slow mode. This would quiet the noise down. Anyway, its not too bad. Not a Leica though. Gasketing. I would love to see weather resistance, but then it wouldnt cost the same either. My plan is to buy a water proof "bag" that can fit around the camera. This might restrict use of some of the controls, but then hey, I can jump into the swimming pool with it.

Well, my first thought is that this camera was a darn good deal...seems like it should have cost more. It has performed well and I am a proud owner. I spend a lot of time searching for a camera, and this was definatly the best deal I found for.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax PZ-1p, Pentax ME (a lovely little paper weight...if only it were the super)

several options, anything u can think of basically, and extras. yet easy to use. very good for it's price.

-heavy -ugly -at least mine is breaking up and it's getting expensive to repair it (last year the main circuit was changed)

reliable SLR including everything even a pro would need. sturdy body, lots of possibilities and specialties not found in other cameras (a timer that u can set like a clock, taking as many frames as needed, when needed and the choice of whether the camera pulls in the leader of the film or not). i've used it for 2,5 years and am happy with the results but it's breakin up for some reason, and it become costly repairing it like once a year.

Customer Service

ok

Similar Products Used:

- had an mz-50 before this

Almost intuitive hypermanual settings, 1/8000 sec. speed,quality "fit" and feel.

None to speek of.

This camera has more than everything a good photographer will ever need. The options for manual/auto enable the best choice settings for most any condition.

Customer Service

Never used.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax K-1000

Design -- It fits in the hands perfectly with or without the FDP Gripstrap accessory. (But the gripstrap is a good idea.) Controls -- Most user-friendly professional SLR on the market! Metering system and program modes are AMAZING! FAST shutter (1/8000th sec)!

Uses expensive batteries and there is no AA alternative power system. Consistently overexposes with some older, manual lenses.

There are MANY other reviews of this camera, so I won't waste your time. In a nutshell, this is my FAVORITE professional-quality SLR! I've used Nikon and Cannon SLRs, but the Pentax PZ-1 is the best! There are too many good things to say about this camera, so I'll just mention the handful of things that could be improved: 1) You must use expensive batteries in this camera and Pentax doesn't offer a AA batery adapter for it. On the plus side, you can get about 80 rolls of film out of the batteries if you don't use the built-in flash all the time. 2) For some reason, the metering system on this camera overexposes slightly when used with older manual lenses. Since most people will use AF lenses with this camera, it's not a big problem ... and you can use the camera's exposure compensation system to fix the problem if you remember to do it ahead of time. 3) The rear seals on this camera could be better. Dust and small dirt gets into the camera VERY easily. This isn't a big problem though as long as you clean the camera with a blower and brush on a regular basis.

Customer Service

Used to repair damaged shutter -- they fixed it for a fair price. Since I bought this camera used, it didn't come with a user's manual ... I contacted customer service and they sent a manual to me in

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N90, Olympus IS-3dlx

Where should I begin? 1. Fits my hand perfectly; the shutter release, TV (shutter speed) dial, and DOF preview are at your forefingertip; the AV (aperture) dial, exposure compenstation, and metering mode button, memory lock button, and "Hyper Mode" set button are at your thumb. (Somebody was really thinking on this one; you don''''t have to remove your eye from the viewfinder to take a picture under ANY condition--how novel!); 2. Metal lens mount; 3. Powerful, perfectly-balanced integral flash; 4. Nice, centered-on-body LCD display; 5. Illuminated LCD display for night work; 6. Compatibility with virtually any lens made by Pentax.

1. Learning curve (125-page manual); 2. Panaroma mode switch virtually unusable when tripod quick-release is attached; 3. Off-side mounted hot shoe takes some getting used to; 4. Odd battery (2CR5).

AWESOME CAMERA! I bought the PZ-1p to upgrade from my ZX-30 and am quite impressed with it. The options available to the photographer behind this camera are mind-blowing--15 customizable functions, three metering modes, and several different exposure modes (including "Hyper" mode that automatically will switch you to AV-priority, TV-priority, or full auto at the touch of a finger). I''''ve shot several rolls of print and slide film with this body and find the metering to be accurate with excellent results. I agree with comments made by other posters; an affordable pro-level SLR that will satisfy the professional and allow the intermediate to grow into it.

Customer Service

Staff at Pentax USA answered all my pre-purchase questions accurately and courteously.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax ZX-30 (see review), borrowed, older Minolta manual

- Amazing Hyper Program and Hyper Manual modes - 4 fps drive - 1/8000 top speed - Large backlit full-of-info LCD - Aesthetics

I only found one, and big, drawback: No battery pack. Ugh!

In short: This is the best price/performance ratio SLR since many years. More details? Keep on reading. Sadly Pentax discontinued this model in favour of their new flagship MZ-S. Let me tell you they´re different cameras. While the MZ-S is a fully pro- oriented body, PZ-1p is an outstanding all-around gear. It has many features only found in great great Canon or Nikon models, obviously much higher priced. Examples of this is its 4 fps drive motor, 1/8000 top shutter speed, or 1/250 flash sync, and interchangeable focusing screens. Another great feature is the so-called Hyper Program mode, that allows the user to switch from a full programmed mode to an aperture-priority (or shutter-priority) just by moving the aperture (or shutter-speed) knob. Or the Hyper Manual mode, when you have total exposure control, but can ask the camera to aid you setting the proper exposure with a touch of a button. LCD display is large enough to be clearly seen from a meter away, and shows any information you need. It can be backlit at the touch of two simultaneous buttons. Almost every info in this display is available at the viewfinder right side also. Build is good enough for an all-around body. It is not air tight and it has not 72 molybdene silicon-rubbered-thermo gaskets just because it is not intended for carrying it during an Everest climb. But any photographer can safely rely on it for almost every kind of work. Body is metal-carbonate compound, and unlike some mass-market models from a very renowned brand, it has a metal (not hard plastic) lens mount. Add to this the fact that remarkably puts Pentax above any SLR manufacturer: lens compatibility. You can use PZ-1p -along as ANY modern Pentax body- with ANY K-mount lens you can get. Of course you´ll not enjoy the autofocus feature with old lenses, but you can set the PZ-1p to aid your manual focus with a mark on the viewfinder and/or a beep sound. Try to find that feature in any other of the great SLR brands. Just forget about... So, if you own an old faithful K-1000 with a couple of reliable and solid SMC lenses and want to enter a new photographic era, stop thinking about: this is the camera for you. There are some stores in the US which still stock it, like Adorama, B&H or Camera Zone.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Not so similar, but... Pentax MX, ME Super, P5, Nikon FM2

Professional specification at a bargain price. It does practically everything professional level Canons and Nikons can do but at a fraction of the price and weight.

Not the fastest Autofocus

Fantastic underrated camera. I use this camera when shooting on 35mm. When using Medium Format there is little option but to carry a heavy camera around but there is no reason to carry the excess bulk and weight with 35mm - thanks to the Pentax z1p

Customer Service

Excellent

Similar Products Used:

too many to mention

Great design,great handling,very good in the focus and exposure departments.

1-Plastic body 2-I hate the viewfinder! I use glasses and I cannot see well in the corners, because it''s not an HP finder. And to have a viewfinder with a cut in the right side , wich is used to show the aperture and speed values is THE MOST STUPID THING ever incorporated in a camera! This cut in the viewfinder is annoying, it ruins composition and it''s totally useless and just plain stupid. Is it possible that no ones notices that? ( this is not mentiond in one single review). 3-The arrangement of buttons in the back side of the camera is not good for people who uses the left eye to look in the finder ( the right side of the face stays over the controls and they are not easily acessible to the fingers) 4-Outdated autofocus with just one single point sensor ( this is not really a problem for me, but it nevertheless outdates the camera).

A great camera with some defaults.

Customer Service

Good

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 9xi.