Pentax has incorporated a large 2.5 inch LCD which sports a wide-view design for viewing both 140 degrees vertically and horizontally. The LCD has a resolution of up to 210,000 pixels and the monitor offers digital zooming of playback images up to 12 times for better viewing and navigating. For realistic and vibrant images the Pentax K100D sports a 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD image sensor which is capable of 6.1 resolutions. One can also opt for any of the two finishing touches of “Natural” or “Bright and take full advantage of the 1/4000 second shutter speed. The DSLR also features a penta-mirror viewfinder which is an amalgamation of both PENTAX finder optics and a Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen.

The Pentax K100D thanks to the Shake Reduction (SR) system promises amazing results even in high ISOs and low lighting conditions by reducing camera shake. This feat is achieved thanks to the unique architecture which is able to swing the CCD image sensor by magnetic force in high speed and then adjusts the speed of oscillation in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor. For beginners the auto system will come in handy which include the SAFOX VIII autofocus system with 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors) to automatically focus accurately even when it is positioned off center. The AF system includes two modes the conventional single AF, and the continuous AF, which focuses on the moving subject till the shutter release button is pressed halfway down.

The K100D cameras hopes to capture a wider demographic which would include both serious and beginner photographers. Thus care has been taken t include features which will appease both the groups. The K100D has the highest auto sensitivity setting in its class, an impressive ISO 3200 which will results in exceptional result even in poor lightening conditions. Picture modes include old time favorites like Portrait, Landscape and Macro and the included software consists of PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 that features the reliable SILKYPIX image-processing engine (developed by ICHIKAWA SOFT LABORATORY) for RAW data processing, and the PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3.

The Pentax K100D Camera is priced around $699 (USD) and is expected to hit stores in July of 2006.