X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Product shots and photo samples: Pentax K10D

A tour of the features of the Pentax K10D plus annotated photo samples.

Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Lori Grunin
32070317-2-440-SS5.jpg
1 of 6 CNET Networks
Not only does the K10D supply a raft of useful dSLR features, but most of them are available via direct-access buttons. Oddly though, frequently needed settings such as ISO speed, drive mode, white balance setting, and flash mode need to be called up via the Fn button, much like in a snapshot camera.
32070317-2-440-SS6.jpg
2 of 6 Lori Grunin
The K10D does a very good job across the entire dynamic range, as you can see from the artifact-free detail in Lorcan's white fur.
32070317-2-440-SS7.jpg
3 of 6 Lori Grunin
I didn't have a telephoto lens when I was shooting at this feral colony, but the combination of the sharp kit lens and 10-megapixel sensor delivered plenty of cropping latitude. It helped that the weather was quite sunny, so that I didn't need to increase ISO speed to maintain the same shutter speed with the typically slow (f/3.5-5.6) kit lens.
32070317-2-440-SS8.jpg
4 of 6 Lori Grunin
The flash didn't fire for this shot, resulting in the photo on the upper right; if you strain, you can tell there's something there. I brought the exposure up in Lightroom, and you can see the dynamic range latitude afforded by the K10D. (Note: This is not representative of the K10D's noise, since Lightroom applies some noise-reduction of its own.)
32070317-2-440-SS9.jpg
5 of 6 Lori Grunin
This shot is pretty representative of the K10D's noise profile. At ISO 800, there's little overall color shift or loss of detail, but the grains are beginning to become obscured by the color noise.
32070317-2-440-SS10.jpg
6 of 6 Lori Grunin
Though it's not the best image stabilizer we've seen, the K10D's Shake Reduction does buy you about one and a third stops. Both of these photos were shot at 1/10 sec; the one on the left with Shake Reduction, the one on the right without. As with all image-stabilization technologies, your mileage may vary.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos