Long Lens and its overall compactness
for its reach. Fairly sharp througout its range although you give up a lot of it since you have to use a fast film- at least 400, preferably 800. It's great for outdoor photography. It's a "take it with you " camera and that's all that should be expected from it. It's great for what it was intended to do.

You are locked into using a fast film since the lens is so long. However, it gives you a reasonable lower end unlike the espio 200.

This is a relatively compact very very long point and shooter. It's not for everyone and not for every purpose. Of course it has to be treated with respect like any precision camera. If you drop it , abuse it or mess with it, it will likely break. What do you expect? I've had it for over 3 years now and it works perfectly.
It sure beats lugging around my Nikon slrs or Hasselblads when I go biking or holidaying.

Customer Service

I've always been satisfied with Pentax service since my working days with
Spotmatic Asahi Pentax slrs. The dealer of course is the key for service.
Avoid grey market dealers.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon point and shoot. Canon Point and shoot.

Excellent zoom
Indoor pictures are GREAT!

Fine tune zooming a pain. When action is going on, you don't want to zoom and then fine tune to your zoom. Red eye reduction is grainy. Bought it for taking night pictures in a lighted environment, not good results.

Great for holidays, birthdays, & family get togethers. Not for your kids in sports or at an action event.

Customer Service

N/A

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Kodak Advantix

Sharp images, compact design, long zoom allows in-camera cropping,a lot of features typically not found in 'Point and Shoots.'

Requires relatively high-speed film if doing a lot of zooming, sometimes it's hard to see the image in the view finder, red eye reduction works so-so, may be a bit advanced for someone wanting a basic Point and Shoot.

Bought this camera nearly a year ago and have not experienced any problems with it. Many shots rival those taken with my old Canon FTb. Switches and dials are laid out intelligently. You just have to remember to brace yourself or use high speed film if zooming out to 160. A great camera for those everyday shots and beyond.

Customer Service

So far haven't needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Sure Shot,
Nikon ? (can't remember the model but it's a simple Point and Shoot.)

38mm - 160mm Zoom
Ease of use
Error proof loading
Panoramic or landscape
Many capabilities
All the bells & whistles

Red eye reduction
Must study booklet in order to operate to it's fullest.

I researched high & low before purchasing this camera. I absolutely love the Pentaz IQZoom 160! I definitely recommend this camera to others. My photos are great quality. The focus and zoom are wonderful! The red eye reduction doesn't always work, which you should expect with the flash so close to the lense. Loading is error proof. This camera is very easy to use, but if you want to take advantage of all the extra features this camera has to offer, you'll need to study the handbook. I feel this camera is great for beginners, casual, and intermediate photographers. It would also serve as a great back-up/extra camera for advanced photographers.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Canon zoom

Great for all types of photography - I use it for sports and family shots, and it's taken its fair share of abuse in without ever complaining - In a fanny pack at -10 skiing, getting wet on a raft trip - on roller coasters -it's great - and the picture quality is always top notch!
The long zoom lets you get a lot of great cameo shots, as people don't see you so far away, and the lens is fast enough that you can freeze an 8 and 10 year old's action shots.
Many people have used it for shots, and it seems readily understandable by most.
Considering the abuse its taken, the reliability is great - I've had mine for about 4 years, and I'd readily buy another but I'm ready for a digital.

Viewfinder is small, and the diopter adjustment can get bumped around.
I haven't used the red eye reduction, but without using it I'll say that you have to be careful to avoid it (don't zoom out too far - I always do!)

Wonderful piece, that has been bulletproof for me. Shots are routinely excellent, and the long zoom gives the potential for lots of shots that would otherwise be impossible. Red eye is a problem if you zoom in tight quarters.

Customer Service

Haven't had to use it.

Similar Products Used:

Olympus - Forgot the model, but it was the IQ 160's equivalent- all the shots were dark - Lost it in an airport - wasn't very upset.

Long zoom
dial instead of buttons

I received a defective camera, only lets me take 4 or 5 pictures then it rewinds the film

I ordered this camera over the internet, waited over a month to get it, was excited to try it, and found that it is defective. I will be returning it and I won't buy another Pentax.

Customer Service

Not so good

Similar Products Used:

I had been using an APS camera and I prefer it.

Nice Zoom Range
Small Size
Lots of 'Bells & Whistles'
Fairly Durable
Easy to Use

Tiny Viewfinder

I purchased the 160 after my IQ Zoom 140 was stolen. I use a point and shoot to carry around in my vehicle as an emergency camera. This 160 zoom has been a very durable point & shoot camera. It has survived beach sand, dirt from when I slipped at Yellowstone Nat'l Park, cold mountains and condensation, and my kids! The photo quality is very good. The layout is easy to learn. Multiple Exposure is fun. Film loading is a breeze. Its small size is fun in crowds and street 'shooting', becasue it is not intimidating. It is very lightweight, good for backpacking. Uses moderate battery power. This is a very good point and shoot camera that I use besides my main SLR gear. It has withstood some tough times and still takes good shots.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

IQ Zoom 140

None

See Review Summary

Original camera was defective and ruined several rolls of film taken on a trip and not easily replaced. Camera was repaired at my expense because the repair cycle quoted by Pentax was
absurd. Camera failed again on the next trip and was left in the Pacific off the Costa Rican coast.
Pentax customer service works as well as their products. I'm delighted to have found this forum so that I can share my unfortunate experiences with prospective customers.

Customer Service

See Review Summary

Similar Products Used:

None

Camera is compact, and easily handled, with good ergonomics. Zoom is very good; range surpasses most others.

Way too fragile. Within 20 days of 3-4 rolls of film per week, the flash would no longer fully retract. Sometimes the lens protective door stuck open. Finally, after about 8 months of normal use, 2-3 rolls per month, film advance gear stripped completely.

Liked the Camera to use; but fragility and apparent poor quality made it a poor choice and poor bargain.

Customer Service

When checked with Pentax dealer, even though camera was supposedly under warranty, cost of repair of stripped gear was nearly as much as a new camera.

Similar Products Used:

None

Good, compact camera. Has all the functions that a beginner to intermediate level photographer needs. Quality pictures in a snap.

Red eye reduction function does NOT really work well.

This is a good camera for the beginner and intermediate photographer. It is compact, very easy to use and takes great pictures. Red-eye reduction function does not work well.

Customer Service

N/A. Has not has an experience with costomer service - Therefore, my particular camera has been trouble-free.

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Canon AE1