IQ K100D or D40

Hello,

I conisder to buy K100D or D40.

I have read all forums regarding this tread. I really would like to buy K100d but I am concer about IQ. At the moment I have got Kodak P880.

K100d, with all the option looks for the better camera however I am not so impressd by photo quaility from the box. Am I right?

D40 photos looks much better.

What do you think.

thanx for answers
Martin

Hard to know if you are impressed or not.

Thanks
--
I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception.

Then try Bright image tone with Sharpness +2 and Contrast +1.

I would also recommend Saturation -1, since the colour saturation in Bright image tone is very vivid...

But then, so is the D40 by default too and if you like that one...

--
Take care
R
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raphaelmabo

If all you want to do is shoot JPEGS that are high quality with little to no post processing, than the D40 is probably a safer bet. The k100 seems to be aimed a little more at the photo hobbyist who is willing to PP a little with RAW format photos. That being said, I am extremely happy with the quality of photos I have gotten, even JPEGS from my K100. The bright mode does have some issues (for me, way over saturated pinks when taking pics of my Daughter, if she has any pink on, its over saturated). I am new to the hobby though, and maybe others opinions will vary. I liked both cameras when I tried them. It came down to (primarily) lens choices and image stabilization with the K100 for me...

IQ is good on each. The D40 has lighter shadows and I think the K100D caprures shading detail/texture a little better. Most will not notice the difference.

The big issue is the lack of lens support for the D40. On the other hand, The K100D is faster, has AS and is compatible with 30 years of PK lenses.

If you really want a 6MP Nikon, get a D50. However, it is a bit bigger and does not have as nice a viewfinder.

For JPEG just use Natural tone, Contrast +1, Saturation +1 and Sharpness +1.

Stunning results ready for printing and those settigns are fixed, i.e. you do not need to change them every tiem you turn the camera on. So make the changes once ... and you are set forever unless you decide to change back of course.

Takes literally 4 seconds to make the changes

--
***********************************************
Please visit my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/alfisti

Pentax Lens examples at http://www.pbase.com/alfisti/images_by_lens

Updated March 2007

Thanx for the answers.

I really want to buy K100d due to Is and options and cheaper lenses.

My Kodak p880 gives me hard time when foucing in low light.

Probably I will get K100d but I am still not sure.
I am still browsking thru the flickr photos.

Flickr or any online gallery is tough to make an objective opinion. Who nows how good the photographer is?

IQ should honestly not concern you, there is so little difference if any. Go on ergonomics.

M112 said:

Thanx for the answers.

I really want to buy K100d due to Is and options and cheaper lenses.

My Kodak p880 gives me hard time when foucing in low light.

Probably I will get K100d but I am still not sure.
I am still browsking thru the flickr photos.

Click to expand...

--
***********************************************
Please visit my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/alfisti

Pentax Lens examples at http://www.pbase.com/alfisti/images_by_lens

Updated March 2007

While the D40 probably has the edge when shooting JEPGs, the difference in image quality(shooting RAW) shouldn't be very differnt, the K100D really is a good camera when it comes to IQ. Buuuuut, shooting raw with an K100D requires patience, it's slooow. So slow I couldn't stand it and bought the K10D instead. To be honest, I didn't like how it felt in my hands either, the D40 is better ergonomically(for me) My tip: Buy a K10D ;-)
--
Amund

Flickr tells more about the image processing power inside the photographer, than inside the camera.

--
Take care
R
http://www.flickr.com/photos/raphaelmabo

M112 said:

K100d, with all the option looks for the better camera however I am
not so impressd by photo quaility from the box. Am I right?

D40 photos looks much better.

Click to expand...

Why bother then?

For direct use Pentax recommend the Bright mode which I don't like at all.

Give us one type of basic jpeg quality as neutral as possible (Normal jpegs) for PP. Then add some predfined image styles that can be applied to any of the scene modes or shooting modes for the ones who don't want to post process or don't have a taste of their own.

I think the D40 jpegs are closer to reality than any setting possible with Pentax in Bright mode.

However if you want the best possible and most flexible image quality in the end then you will want your camera to deliver the best possible material for PP regardless of using RAW or jpeg and Pentax jpegs are better suited for that purpose IMO as the Nikon jpegs have a Nikon "flavour" straight from the camera which is not that easy to deal with in case it does not fit the scene. Especially at high ISO's. Pentax Normal jpegs are neutral and neutral is what you want if your own taste matters the most.

With my DL I have Sharpness +1 and Contrast -1. With my K100D I have Contrast -1. This is for PP material if I use jpegs and I prefer to take care of my precious moments myself because I can make a much better job at my computer than any in-camera PP is capable of.

If you really care about subtle nuances at maximum image quality then RAW is the only thing to use because this is when a DSLR really shines regardless of the brand. A quick estimate shows that I have about 75% RAW images and 25% jpegs with DSLR.

.......
Have a nice day (a picture says more than 1000 words)
Jim

Inspiration Challenge - in depth feedback guaranteed

'Don't overestimate technology - nothing is knowledgefree'

I owned both cams(now only D40).

Both are good cams, but I liked the D40 better. Yes, JPEG output is better, and even RAW I like more.

Other reasons I like the D40 over the K100D are faster focus, a more quiet shutter sound, and much better continuos performance. Especially with JPEG this is much better.

Only thing I liked on the K100D over the D40 is the in-body IS. It worked fine with my 500mm Danubia(also the A-mode). On the D40 only in M mode.

D40 is lighter and smaller. And available in silver. I got one because I prefer it over black.

Your decision.

You're also pretty much stuck with how the D40 images look. From reading the review here it seems the in camera image parameter adjustments, such as contrast etc have very little effect.

--
Steven Alan

I'm an extremely happy K100d user, but I will agree that the shutter noise is excessive. This is probably the only serious complaint I have (except for auto white balance, but I'm not sure any manufacturer is doing a terrific job with that in this price range).

As for flickr, Roland & others are right: galleries like that do tell you more about the photographer, and sometimes about a given lens's capabilities. On the other hand, that raises a larger issue, which is that the cameras are so similar in their capacities that it really doesn't matter which one you get. Once you know how to use it, either will do a fine job. And either will put the burden of getting great photos on you, the photographer.

That said, there are two things I'd suggest you think about. The first is ergonomics. You're going to be carrying the thing around a lot; how does it feel? This will matter. If getting to know the camera is key to getting good shots, then make sure it's a camera you'll want to get to know.

Second thing is lenses. In cameras like this, a lens will change what you can get far more profoundly than a body. Think about what you might want & how much it might cost you.

If you want to shoot with primes, I'd say you'd be far better off with the Pentax. There's an excellent selection, outstanding quality, and they're comparatively affordable. You can even get 30+ years' worth of used models at reduced rates and they will work quite well. Pentax is, moreover, committed to backward compatibility of lenses, meaning that you're more likely to see your investment pay off through numerous bodies.

If, on the other hand, you want to just get one or two zooms and fool around with both camera & lenses as little as possible, then the Nikon might be more to your taste. I haven't used one, but the sense I get from research I did before making up my own mind is that the D40 will give more pleasing results straight out of the box. For those who don't like to customize, that might be an attraction.

Just bear in mind that at the end of the day the capacities of each body to produce images (other variables such as lenses being equivalent) are so closely matched as to be of little importance.

I only shoot RAW with my D40. Maybe sometimes JPEG Fine when I need the full continuos drive speed and the conditions allow it.

But the RAW files give you very fine results.

I would recommend the K100D for people which don´t need so much speed and want an IS without paying too much for lenses(I love my 70-300mm VR but it was expensive).

M112 said:

I conisder to buy K100D or D40.

Click to expand...

Not really - you're considering buying either the K100D or the D40 WITH WHICH LENSES?

The two 18-55mm kit lens are about equal and if you'll never go beyond that and don't need image stabilization (only moving subjects in good light), then the D40 is probably the better camera. That describes VERY few people though.

Most people will benefit from image stabilization and most people will want affordable lenses beyond the 18-55mm kit lens. If you buy the D40, what lenses will you buy for it?

Nikon 55-200 f/4-5.6 AF-S DX telephoto zoom lens reviews:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/55200.htm
http://www.camerahobby.com/Review_18-55_55-200.htm

what DSLR to buy as a first purchase
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=22220546

Nikon D40 lens compatibility
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1000&message=20866493

I have a K100D and have used a D40. The K100D in bright mode will get you very similar results. Remember the Pentax has antishake and the cost is pretty similar. I would say the two cameras are very equal but for the shake reduction in the Pentax.
--
Dave Lewis

K1000Photographer said:

IQ is good on each. The D40 has lighter shadows and I think the
K100D caprures shading detail/texture a little better. Most will
not notice the difference.

The big issue is the lack of lens support for the D40. On the other
hand, The K100D is faster, has AS and is compatible with 30 years
of PK lenses.

Click to expand...

Good point if you can find any of them to buy. Right now Pentax is a camera with a kit lens and that is about it. As summer approaches that will get even worse. The lack of available lenses is going to be Pentax's ultimate failure in the market place. It is getting almost impossible to even get used third party lenses much less Pentax ones. Good used Pentax lenses bring at least 25% more than new retail on ebay now. The whole frenzy is insane. I'm sitting back and watching now and filling out my Canon system. No problem getting Canon lenses everywhere. If Pentax wanted to compete they should have put their money in their lens factory.

K1000Photographer said:

If you really want a 6MP Nikon, get a D50. However, it is a bit
bigger and does not have as nice a viewfinder.

Click to expand...

--
Dave Lewis

So because you are impatient and expect a smaller company to have large company service, you are paying more for lenses

Yes its a problem with lenses, but before the K10D it was not a problem. So what does that tell you. A lot of people are buying the K10D perhaps....
I'm 100% sure they'll fix this problem, they have a new lens factory as well.

But as people reported from PMA Pentax know they have a lens shortage.

I'm sure right now the factories are producing the DA* lenses everyone wants and then after that other lenses will probably be produced in bigger quantities.

Dave Lewis said:

K1000Photographer said:

IQ is good on each. The D40 has lighter shadows and I think the
K100D caprures shading detail/texture a little better. Most will
not notice the difference.

The big issue is the lack of lens support for the D40. On the other
hand, The K100D is faster, has AS and is compatible with 30 years
of PK lenses.

Click to expand...

Good point if you can find any of them to buy. Right now Pentax is
a camera with a kit lens and that is about it. As summer approaches
that will get even worse. The lack of available lenses is going to
be Pentax's ultimate failure in the market place. It is getting
almost impossible to even get used third party lenses much less
Pentax ones. Good used Pentax lenses bring at least 25% more than
new retail on ebay now. The whole frenzy is insane. I'm sitting
back and watching now and filling out my Canon system. No problem
getting Canon lenses everywhere. If Pentax wanted to compete they
should have put their money in their lens factory.

Member said:

If you really want a 6MP Nikon, get a D50. However, it is a bit
bigger and does not have as nice a viewfinder.

Click to expand...

--
Dave Lewis

Click to expand...

--
Justin
--------------------------------------------------------
The Blind Pig
http://www.jeber.com/Members/Justin/Gallery/
Photobucket
http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m313/justin-23/

My old F50/1.7 is fully functional on a K100D. Will a cheap Nikon 50 AF on a D40? No way. Pentax has a temporary shortage of current lenses due to a tremendous demand. The D40 just is not compatible with most Nikon lenses. That is the big problem.