A really rugged body, 4fps, flash compensation, accurate spot metering. I had it last February out in the archipelago in -18°C and 17 - 18m/s wind for two whole days. My friends with Nikons had to keep the batteries of the AA- battery packs in warm pockets between frames. Only two unacceptable exposures (my fault!) of 5 rolls in those snow conditions (Fujichrome Velvia & Sensia)!

Autofocus hunts in low contrast conditions and vertical pictures. Too low for my hand (the reverse side of having no battery pack). Second hand market for Pentax in Finland is quite low, which means low sales prices.

The first real Pentax after LX. The combination of properties and ruggedness really does not have any competitors in its class. The Pentax Functions I have read many to critisize have made the operation really simple: Set and forget(If you do, the manual is really needed). Because I use manual setting in most of my work, I have found the IF button necessity. None of my Nikonaddict friends have it. The 4fps wind speed, which I in the beginning considered something extra, has over the years become a necessity when taking the speed test pictures of the boats our company makes. I remember, when Z-1 came. It was more or less a flop and very quickly Pentax came with the properly redesigned Z-1P, which I adopted with abandon. I plan to wait the same to happen also now and Pentax will in a couple of years come up with improved MZ-S2. If this does not happen, the other alternative will be to buy a Z-1P again.

Customer Service

Rather fully booked, but I have always had fast service.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkormat, MX''s, LX, Z-1

*features! *Hyper manual: fantastic! *ergonomics & handling *reliable *deadly accurate spot metering *well made

*outdated autofocus (hunts sometimes) *no battery grip or other power source (e.g. AA batteries) *plastic body may not withstand hard use

Probably the most underrated and overlooked camera in the mid-pro class. In my opinion it has the best control layout of any camera. The ability to be in program mode and change to Av of Tv is great, and Nikon clearly copied this when they made the F5. Though the autofocus is dated, it still performs very well under most real-world conditions. One feature that no one has is hyper manual. With the touch of a button, the camera sets the shutter speed. No fiddling with wheels to set the shutter speed (though you also have this option). Super fast: as fast as program or aperture priority, and you''re locked with a bar scale to indicate how much you''re over/under. I can''t see why anyone hasn''t adopted this idea. Simple but brilliant. While Pentax has come out with the MZ-S, it lacks some handling qualities and features that the PZ1p has (the hyper modes don''t work exactly the same). I believe that many Pentax users would still like to see an updated version of the PZ1p (upgraded autofocus, more rugged body, alternate power sources). The PZ1p is one of the best designed cameras that anyone has come out with.

Customer Service

OK. Slow...

Similar Products Used:

MZ-S (own), Canon Elan IIe, Nikon F801s

Perhaps the most user friendly advanced SLR ever designed. The hyper program and manual modes allow instant access to aperture and shutter speed. Many features such as flash bracketing are so simple to use they become standard tools instead of a specialized task. Ergonomic are fantastic. One of the most comfortable cameras I have ever used. Focus may be dated, but is precise, accurate, and reliable. This is one of the best 35mm SLRs ever produced.

Some seem to slam the focusing speed, however, I have found the speed to be accurate and highly reliable. That considered I have found no significant weaknesses.

The PZ-1p is, in my opinion, the best in class. Great user interface, reliable, and well constructed.

Customer Service

Over the past 25 years I have had two opportunities to interface with Pentax Customer service. Both times the service was fantastic

Similar Products Used:

Most products in the pentax line.
Canon (A2/A2E EOS)
Minolta Maxxum HTSI

excellent featured full programing. full auto or manual capability, multiple exposure settings, 4 fps. image tracking,servo auto focus mode wide metering range
tons of usable features

None

everyone 35mm format photographer should own one, if you are into outdoor photography and sporting events, you can't beat it.

Customer Service

Excellent for the PZ-70 have not had occassion to use for PZ-1P

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS elan IIE, nikon F-1, Pentax PZ-70

Ease of use, sophistication, light metering, customization capabilties,

It seems like the lens selection on the Pentax is substantially less than Nikon or Canon, but that makes sense given their popularity. In any case, I found all the basics covered. I also continue to be plagued with red-eye (despite the pre-flash feature), which may be more a testament to my inexperience with people as subjects rather than a camera drawback.

I have owned this camera for roughly six months now, and have yet to find a major drawback. I found the other comments on the AF on the mark -- it does 'hunt" sometimes, but I have also found it to be extremely accurate. For example, I took some shots of a friend's dog running through the surf from a good 50' away which turned out beautifully -- no blurring whatsoever. I would also reinforce the comments on user interface -- no mean feat considering the camera's sophistication. The shutter button, grip, aperature and exposure dials are all placed with ease of use in mind, and I find that remembering more advanced features is remarkably easy. The light metering is amazing -- there are three modes to choose from, which makes it possible to do things like shoot a subject standing in a sunny window with minimal manual adjustment.

Nice Pentax discussion group at http://discuss.pentax.com/pipermail/pentax-discuss/

I've heard that non-Pentax lenses are often inferior, and I did find a very scientifically-based lens testing site that seemed to validate those comments, but there were certainly cases where third party lenses did better, which may account for the Tamron comments above.

Another good Pentax reference site is http://webhome.idirect.com/~spirop/pentlens.html

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Minolta SLR-101

The Z-1p packs an comprehensive set of features (shiftable "hyper" program, vast customisation options including film leader out, bracketing, flash bracketing, flash exposure compensation, multiple exposures, "user" mode to recall favourite settings, unique "hypermanual" mode, linkable AF/exposure lock, mirror pre-fire,4 fps motordrive) including some that other manufactures sell as extras, in a rugged but lightweight (690 g.) alluminium and polycarbonate body with a handy and highly flexible built-in flash. The user interface of the Z-1p is possibly the best of any AF camera and was carbon- copied by Nikon in the F100.

The AF is only single point and vertical lines sensitive. In real life terms, however, it works fine and only hunts in very critical situations.
Once you gat to know how it reacts, its simplicity can become a bonus (I have experienced overkill with the EOS3 - too many
AF points).

The Z-1p does not have the raw, undefineable appeal of the LX manual focus, but that's a general thing with AF cameras. If you want pro specification features, don't need the ultimate AF system, and don't feel compelled to buy into a "marque" system, the Z-1p simply cannot be beaten, considering that you can buy two bodies for the price of an F100/ EOS3, and get the same results. The 8 zones multi pattern metering system works very well (I have found it to be more reliable than the F100's matrix), but can be switched to centre- weighted or spot if needed. Handling is very good (you won't find a better pleced shutter release button, and, unlike the F100, the AV and TV dials are placed where your fingers are) - with the FDP1 grip it gets even better.
I have used the Z-1p in all sorts of conditions, including tropical humidity and temperatures down to -25C and it has allways worked faultlessly. Pentax lenses are in many opinion among the best (I am also a Contax user). The recent limited editions lenses have received raving reviews in the specialized press, with the 43 mm f1.9 being rated by Practical Photography the sharpest lens they have ever tested, bar none - which makes me wait in anticipation for the MZ1 pro body announced for mid 2001.

Customer Service

I had to repair the camera once (I dropt it down a 10mt. ravine in Nepal), and the UK service was swift and efficient.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS3, EOS5
Nikon F90x, F100

This camera fits your hand like a glove. Compared to others costing 2 or 3 times as much it can do anything Nikon can if you know how to use it.I use this with the Tamron 28-300 which is the perfect combo.

none

If you are serious about your pictures and you take bride in what you shoot and dont want to spend thousands of dollars this is the perfect camera.Best camera Pentax ever made.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Pentax k-1000, Olympus om-2 Nikon n90 Pentax pz-1

All you need from camera - wheather you a beginner of a professional.
Unbelievebly easy to use but have all advanced metering and driving functions any 35mm have except, maybe, only A1, F5 and F100!
It is a high time for Pentax to twinkle with a new star in this class: fixed mirror, multy-point autophocus and computer setup may be a good suppument ... all for $500?

Autofocus may be disgastingly slow and it is one point only.
Battarey compartment is fragile.
Maybe, it's better to have buttons instead of menus for some functions (like brasketing, timer, etc.).

Just buy it and love it for years!

Customer Service

Replacingt focusing screen for Z70 about 3 years ago (in London) was expencive and took a week.

Similar Products Used:

Comparing to Z70 (used for some five years) Z1 is the same ease of use and verstality but much more powerful device!

This Camera truly has everything I need at a fraction of the cost of the F100 or N90s. Very comfortable and confident. This camera was designed with me in mind. Shift on the fly metering is a God send.

Dated AF system. But very capable. Hard to focus when held virtically. I wish Pentax offered a virtical grip with a shutter release. The only thing available like this is an expensive chunk of metal. Grip strap Fdp.

Great camera. A+++. Pentax has a habit of being the underdog and being over shadowed but Nikon and Canon. This camera is one of the best keeped secrets in the 35mm world. Great for advanced Ametures and Pros. However, this camera could be a little overwhelming for the beginner.

Customer Service

Have not needed yet. But have heard good things about Pentax in this area.

Similar Products Used:

N90s, p30, p5, Eos Rebel G.

Lots of features, excellent price, great feel in hands, nice placement of hotshoe

Bottom can get ratched up pretty easily, AF is rather dated, yet still very acceptable, not sealed well for extreme conditions.

I highly recommend this camera to photographers of intermediate to pro levels. Excellent Value, great feautures.

Customer Service

Havn't neede it for this camera, but Pentax is generally good and prompt.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax ME Super, MX and LX