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Pentax K200D digital SLR

Not as family-friendly as Pentax proposes

Another nod towards to the consumer sector is that fact that the K200D uses four AA-sized batteries and an SDHC memory card. The camera can use lithium-ion or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeables, as well as alkalines. Pentax doesn’t recommend using the latter, and says they should only be used in emergencies or for checking the K200D’s functionality.

We think Pentax is being a little pessimistic here, because we tried using the K200D with alkalines and found that it operated well on them, although the penalty paid is a much reduced shooting capacity - around 200 shots without flash compared with 1000 or so for lithium-ion batteries, according to Pentax.

Pentax K200D DSLR

You'll have little trouble knowing what settings are selected

If you’ve used Pentax’s K100D, then the K200D will feel very familiar. On top, starting from the left, there's a large mode dial, pop-up flash, hot shoe and an LCD readout. In front of this are an exposure compensation button and a green button which resets the exposure mode to automatic. At the very front is a large shutter button and the on/off lever.

On the back are the flash's flip-up trigger; Menu, delete, Info and playback buttons; a 2.7in LCD screen with 230,000 pixels; Fn function button; a four-way controller; and the image stabilisation activation slider. There’s also a dial that can be used for setting various parameters such as shutter speed and sensitivity, and for zooming into the shots you've taken. It has an exposure lock button next to it.

Pentax K200D

It's weighty

The right side is home to the memory card compartment; on the left is flap covering the AV/PC port, and underneath the camera is the battery compartment. Tucked away near the lens is a RAW button, which lets you switch from JPEG to RAW files in an instant, along with a switch that flips between manual and autofocus modes.

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