Dummy-proof modes Features for advanced photography Lightweight, but sturdy Always ready to go Reliable Pictures always perfect (if I don't screw them up)

Needs the 2 extra sensors that the brother Zx-7 has when using long lenses, but TTL flash has remedied with stronger signal (still like better than ZX-7)

I love this camera. This camera was introduced to me as a great begining camera that I would have a hard time outgrowing and it has proven true. Through book after book that I read, this camera has kept up with each trick and skill that I want to improve and work on. It has the right buttons to make it dummy proof and all the features to make it a competitive camera. I plan to stay with it until I feel that I need to move up and then I will continue to keep it in my bag for backup or for a different film type. This camera has made me a lifetime Pentax user.

Customer Service

Great but not needed for the camera, I just wanted a Pentax shirt to show my Pentax Pride

Similar Products Used:

ZX-7 Cannon Elan

lightweight...good value...picture modes are great...consistent shots...accurate settings...easy to operate...rugged...power efficient...a good all-around camera for beginner to experienced amateurs

body paint easily scratched but very rugged (aesthetic concerns)...watch out for camera shake since this is very lightweight...small grip for big palms

this is a camera that has almost everything you need...be it outdoors or indoors...good value for your money...comes with an all-around 35-80mm lens on purchase...no problems so far...power efficient...no battery change even after 40 rolls (use the flash sparingly)...consistent pictures everytime even under extreme conditions (poor lighting, fast-moving subject)...lightweight, easy to carry around in a backpack...doesn't need a lot of space...rugged design...a good second camera for the professional.

Customer Service

never needed their help so far

Similar Products Used:

nikon fe, canon sureshot,

- Easy to use. - Good features.

- No DOF. - Can´t use an old lens that don´t have automatic functions.

I bought this camera because I was going to buy the new MZ-60 but I found a lot of disadvantages in that camera. This one has more features and a similar price. Plus, it came with a 28-90mm Pentax lens.

Customer Service

Never used.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax ME Super

The interface is similar to common manual cameras and is very simple. No dumb gimmicks like "sports mode". I use is camera for freelance photojournalism as well. I've made money with it and won covers. This camera doesn't get in the way of the photographer. The size is right, too.

Rewind and load sequence is slower than high-end pro cameras (e.g., Nikon N90/F5).
Pentax AF lenses are pretty expensive. I mostly use third-party (e.g., Sigma).
Pentax flash technology isn't quite as nice as Canon EOS and Nikon. On Pentax, you can't just set EV -1 and get perfect fill flash automatically. For some work, like sports, some people might find EOS eye-tracking focus handy.

This is a great camera for enthusiasts and pros who don't need specialized features like image-stabilized lenses, superfast film advance, and eye-tracking focus. You can easily access the most important controls like aperture and shutter speed quickly. You can also visually confirm the state of the electromechanical knobs. Very nice.

Customer Service

Haven't needed this.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax PZ70

Very user friendly
Great range of useabilty
Good autofocus

28-80mm lens only has 3.4/f aperture, lens cap can be tricky to reinstall.

I am very pleased with this camera, it costs less than a nikon f60 and is still very competative with it. The lens quailty is very high. I can see myself using this camera for a long time. It has the abilty to be used be an amatuer and pro alike.

Customer Service

Haven't used it yet

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F60

Easy of use for the excellent quality of pictures, had a zx-50 before and upgraded to a high end Nikon, but sold the Nikon and purchased the zx-30 because it is just so easy to use with results that matched the higher end cameras.

None I have found

If your not a professional but want quality photos, with ease of use, this is the camera.
I use a Tamron 28-200mm len, that just makes this the only set-up needed.

Customer Service

None needed

Similar Products Used:

ZX-50, Nikon

buen precio, y es facil acostumbrarse a la interface

no se siente tan solida como modelos anteriores de carcasa metalica

buena camara, la primera vez que la use me sorprendio la calidad y nitidez de imagen y color, 37 fotos buenas en un rollo de 36

Customer Service

no lo necesite

Similar Products Used:

pentax mx

Light weight, ergonamic controls, nice viewfinder. It's metering system is easy to read.

When using its flash it has a slow response time to take a picture. Despite its mostly ergonamic controls it's aperature priority is in a wierd place(right above the AF/MF switch)

This is a great camera, but if you do mostly manual shooting I would get another camera.

Similar Products Used:

None

Lightweight, simple to use and reliable, but with the flexibility to move on up to a point. Retains compatibility with my old manual focus lenses which have an 'A' aperture setting.

You can almost always rely on the metering (unless backlit) which works fantastically as long as you do not need manual control. Controls are so intuitive that it may seem like you dont have many functions, thats just because they are simple to use, not because they are missing!

No Spot or Centre weighted metering, and no DOF. This makes me now want a 5N, and to make this my second body, kept loaded with a medium speed film for snapshots or with B&W film which I never seem to finish very quickly. Apart from that, does not lack any facilitird anoyone less than an expert would need. The viewfinder may be a little dark and small compared to others (eg Canon).

Fantasic budget SLR which will grow, to a point. That point being when you want control over your metering or depth of field. Unfortunately for me, I was at that point before I bought the camera, so it will soon become a backup/second body when I can buy a 5N. For the money, you almost cannot fault this camera, and I prefer the interface to that of the 5N or 3, but I cannot live without different metering modes for too long.

Customer Service

Not known

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS 500, 50

It is Pentax - I really like Pentax, for no specific reason.
LOVE the autofocus - very responsive. I have never had autofocus before but it is great.
The auto settings are great, but there is also the manual or semi-manual for creativity.
Can be used as point-and-shoot by camera illiterate people.
Versatility of auto and manual.

Flash on auto setting pops up at every opportunity, even outside when it wasn't dark. But can be taken off auto setting.
The camera aperture setting is a little fiddly. Would like to be able to adjust aperture settings by turning lens as Spotmatic, but probably not available on auto cameras. Also couldn't get largest aperture (?f3.4) on lens.
Prices took huge leap just before I bought it. I paid NZ$999.

I have been into photography for most of my life, so I have learnt a bit about cameras, and I think this one is pretty good.
I have just bought the MZ30 and used a whole film in two days. This is a lot for me. However I am very ashamed to admit I have only used the automatic settings so far as they are so good. I hope to use a bit more of the manual settings later.
I had a Spotmatic before, and this seemed the logical choice to move on to.
It is so easy to use that even my BF with very little knowledge of cameras can use it on auto. I am sure kids could use it too.
Great camera if you are beginner or expert.

Customer Service

Salesman tried very hard to talk me into MZ50 ($100 cheaper), which I didn't want as it is older technology, and didn't seem to be as good. I was not impressed. Probably he was getting better commission on MZ50.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Spotmatic which I loved and had for about 8 years (very second hand), until the lightmeter broke.