Size, ease of use, results, handling, value.

Will not work with K Mount lenses.
Poor support by independent lens manufacturers.

Great results every time - Loved it - so did the thief who relieved me of it. Went to buy another but was tempted by extra features (and compatibility with older K Mount lenses from the ME super) so replaced it with MZ7. Recommend MZ50 for anyone starting out with no older Pentax gear to match to.

Customer Service

Excellent they swapped my Spanish manual for an English one by return. No charge.

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Have used ME super since 1981. Had SFXn (SF1n) which I hated and left in cupboard.

Camera was new when purchased; got a great deal on a great quality peice of merchandise.

loud film advance and rewind.

Camera so far is a great camera. Super fast focusing, ease of use with the top mounted controlls and easy to read LCD, and super light so it is not cumbersome to carry.

Customer Service

so far; not needed. Knock on wood...

Similar Products Used:

Canon A2, Canon Elan 7e, Canon Elan II, Canon Elan, Canon Rebel (s, xs, and G), Minolta XG-1, Nikon N6006, Nikon N-70, Canon EOS IX APS camera.

Easy to learn. Easy to use in multiple lighing/action situations. Ability to be fully manual or fully automatic (and everything inbetween.

No double exposure -- a feature that could have been included for the price I feel

This was the first "serious" camera I bought, and it is wonderful. I purchased it with a Vivitar Series One 28-210mm lens -- and THIS is the ideal
lens for this camera, at least for my needs. While learning, this camera makes it effortless and spurs you on to try new things. Later, it can be set for more advanced photography. I've used it at weddings, where it handled mixing ambient light of the church beautifully...and at dark receptions where other cameras weren't doing the job. It will hunt to focus if you don't have some contrast spot in picture -- but what camera can grab all one color immediately? There is no double exposure, but otherwise I've found this will do all the technical exposure tricks etc if you're so inclined -- but if you aren't and you just want to have auto-aid to grab breathtaking shots ... this camera aids you all the way. Get the Vivitar lens with it! The most advanced professional might go elsewhere for the most advanced options, but for most photographers this camera is superb!!

Customer Service

So far, so good!

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Similar 35mms, and Pentax 645N

Simple to use, light, exposure meter works really well, controls well laid out, focusing is a tad faster than other similiar models but not as accurate in difficult situations.

The lenses i owned (35-80mm f4-5.6 and 70-200mm f4) didn't permit good enlargements - the images were not sharp (its good to most people, but for one with a discerning eye), colours not saturated, lacks contrast. The circuits gave up on me - flash just stopped working and unable to toggle between red-eye reduction and normal flash. Body feels plastiky and a bit flimsy (important if you expect to have that long lasting feeling), view finder is rather dim - makes focusing in low light difficult (I know the lense aperture plays a part but I suspect the pentaprism looses alot of light by the time it reaches your eyes), no DOF, mirror lock, multiple exposure, poor lense availability and quality (compared to the best of course).

Its really unfair to compare this camera to other higher end models, but since pros and amatuers alike are reading the reviews It would be based on an ideal camera. I think the canon 7 is a nice camera for its price (only if it had data imprinting like the F80). Actually, if you really understood the fundamentals, you really don't need the fancy electronics - I don't use flash if possible, there are events which do not permit the use (just adjust to the natural light or adjust the shutter/aperture settings - I have frequently shot at 1/30 or less handheld with good handling posture, and of cost you'd choose the appropriate film speed for optimum handling and pic quality), and why would you require so many exposure modes, just 1 is enough - spot or centre weighted. Identify the subject and its closest 18% grey area. Yes you may have to compensate at times, but if you're really acustomed to the camera, have a good feel of the ambient light and experienced in the field it's no problem. Autofocusing? Why drain batteries when you can do it yourself and better. Unless you're in action photography, don't depend on autofucosing. I have seen wannabes toting around with intimidating Nikons and canons, the results? Great sharpness and colour - awful composure, bad flash to ambient light ratio, out of focused images (see when you depend too much on the camera, you start clicking away without considerations to the many factors). They saw my snigger when we compared photos. This cheap, simple and light camera has seen to my learning needs and its automatic functions are sufficeient for the non-photograpers. If you've decided to take photography seriously, I wouldn't recommend this. But time to move on - medium format? Frankly speaking, these electronics are hampering creativity and true photography. Bottom line? I use my camera only in manual mode - I'm the photographer not the camera. Want all the fancy stuff? Get a P&S...

Customer Service

Didn't bother to repair the flash.

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Canon 888 (or rebel), EOS 500, FM2, pentax PZ-10, Nikon N80? with digital science

Extremley fast focus, Very simple and straightforward to use. It's a very light camera that can take knocks and comes back for more. Had a bad crash snowboarding and while the lens did give up and break, the body remained intact. Replaced the lens with a 28-100 and the results are great. It's a great camera!

Fails to focus if it is too dark or bright, also it becomes difficult to read the display in the viewfinder if it's too bright.

Great camera for the price you pay. It may lack some extra features of upper-end models, but let's face it, do you really need them? Definately a great camera for travelling, maybe not so much for weddings though! I'd highly recommend it!

Customer Service

Excellent!!! Had a problem with the film advance and it was fixed in no time at all!!! I have it over 3 years now and it's perfect!

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Cannon Eos, Minolta 600

Easy to use. You can treat it as a auto compact camera when you're tired to think, by using the GREEN mode. Light in weight.

No multi-exposure. Slow AF speed. Hard to see the LCD panel in darkness or brightness. Lens included (35-80mm) is somehow not enough, not wide and not tele.

It's suitable only for those beginner with no plan to upgrade your camera anymore. I sold it a week ago and turned to Z1p. MZ/PZ-50 has most basic features but multi-exposure. You'll get what you pay for.

Customer Service

Not yet tried.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Z1p, Canon EOS 888 (Rebel), EOS88, EOS500, serval Minolta's body

great beginner camera - very easy to learn
quality build for the price
ergonomic design
lightweight travel camera

no multiple exposure mode
viewfinder a little dark

Pentax makes great cameras, but people usually think of Nikon or Canon when they think of quality. This was the first SLR I owned, and everything I have learned, I have learned on this camera (by myself). Some people say to not learn with an autofocus camera, but now I use manual all the time because I paid attention to what the camera was doing. It's great for situations where you just want to take snapshots, and not have to worry about exposure. It's also great when you want to get creative and use manual modes. I love that it is small enough to act like a point and shoot at parties, and also as a great travel SLR camera. I have small hands so the smallness was actually a plus for me. As an entry-level camera, this is much better than the Rebel 2000 (plastic lens mount) and N60. I compared all three, and the Pentax has the best design and build; not to mention, it's cheaper.

Customer Service

never needed

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Canon Rebel 2000, Nikon N60

* Handsome silver and black livery
* Program and Auto modes as well as Aperture, Shutter, Manual and Bulb
* Cable release
* 2 Frames per second motor drive
* Single/Continuous drive in all modes
* Won't fog infrared film
* Excellent build quality
* Excellent ergonomical build (compared to cameras in the same class)
* Excellent metering (especially for a 2 segment system)
* Fast AF - you need no more
* Delivers well-exposed photos
* Excellent value

The ZX-50 has a surprisingly sturdy feel to it - the body feels strong and is contoured to one's hands. The shutter release has a smooth,
almost creamy, feel to it - not the "slap and bang" of many budget AF SLRs.

It is an extremely affordable, handsome and lightweight SLR that offers 'bang for the buck' returns for those seeking an inexpensive route to
quality pictures.

The Dual segment multi-metering system is extremely accurate. The slim line body is comfortable to hold (and even moreso with the optional $25 AA FG battery pack - which you simply must get). It looks great. Has fast and positive AF. Takes excellent, high quality SLR pictures. What more do you need?

* No exposure lock
* Only multi-segment metering (Partial metering would have been nice) :(
* Viewfinder LCD disappears in bright sunlight
* No autobracketing (but has exposure compensation)
* No multiple exposure (Feature is available on the ZX-30)

Last year, in an issue of the British magazine, Practical Photography, the ZX-50's Dual Segment metering was tested alongside the more complex and many segmented metering systems of Nikon, Canon and Minolta cameras and came out ahead of the majority of combatants with exposures that were right on target. In fact, it came in second behind the Pentax MZ-5N (ZX-5N in the U.S.) in cameras under $400.

Also, in a budget camera showdown last year, the British magazine, Amateur Photography, chose the MZ-50 (ZX-50 in the U.S.) over the Nikon F60 (N60 in the U.S.), Canon 3000 and Minolta 404si (STsi in the U.S.) because of its "Superb metering and AF, smallness combined with build quality, simple to use control layout and a stunning set of slides. 'Nuff said."

The ZX-50 is a truly remarkble SLR. It is immensely affordable (and now it has been replaced by the even more affordable, feature-rich ZX-30). For those who are on a budget and are beginners/casual users and want a reliable and affordable SLR, and for those who just want to be able to take outstanding, well-exposed photos, I highly recommend it.

I've owned the ZX-50 for three years and am continuosly amazed by the excellent quality of the photos I've taken with this extremely inexpensive but very capable SLR. Pentax ought to be commended for releasng this gem. I give it 5 starts for value and 5 for the overall rating.

Customer Service

Not needed. I've emailed them and have received prompt responses.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel G/2000, Elan II/IIE/7E
Nikon N60/65, N80
Minolta 500si, HTsi Plus, XTsi
Pentax Pentax ZX-M, ZX-30, ZX-10, ZX-7, ZX-5, ZX-5N

Very Good Camera

I bought with Sigma 28-105 and have had good (only good) pictures.

This camera (not lens) is a very good one. Ease to use. Not too heavy-not too ligh.
Unfortunatly the lens (Sigma) was a regular one.

Customer Service

Not needed

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None

Light
Affordable
Good Quality Pictures
Simple and self explanitary to use.
Mine came with a 35-80mm zoom lens, ideal for my landscape photography.

None that I can spot. Possibly, dont buy if you are looking to upgrade a 35mm and you like the look of the SLR - accessories are expensive and these cameras are bulky. Not too heavy though. I think this is an ideal camera for the begginer or intermediate photographer, on a budget.

Excellent camera - just wish I could afford to upgrade my lenses!!!
I think a bit simple for a professional photographer, this camera is really ideal for the enthusiast on a budget. Ideal for holiday snaps - the picture quality is outstanding, and some excellent effects can be acheived. The exposure time for this product ranges from 30 seconds to 1/2000 seconds. I got some great action shots of my skiing holiday at New Year, as well as night time firework shots on the same holiday!
I dont know if the price is correct - I am from Dundee in Scotland, and I paid 180GBP for mine. It came with the autofocus zoom lens. I have added a Pentax 49mm UV filter and a Hoya 49mm Cross filter to my accessories, and am looking to purchase the 80 - 200mm Pentax lens at some time in the near future. These Pentax lenses are superb.

Customer Service

Excellent - I had my one stollen, and it was replaced within a fortnight, with my Pentax cover plan. The people in store helped me choose the right camera for my budget. Also, I bought a UV filter from Pentax, through advice they had sent me via email! They didnt say to buy their own brand, they even suggested that a cheaper brand would be just as effective!

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Canon EOS 300 - good as well, but it was unfortunately out of my price range.