Well, I erroneously said the mode dial on the K100D was on the other side from the DS (that's because I've been using my Canon a lot lately in the gap between selling the DS and getting the K100D).
In actual fact, if you compare pictures of the two cameras, the *istDS and the K100D, they are extremely similar as to size, location of LCD screens, buttons, and dials. Very, very similar. The LCD screen on the back is bigger, but when I went out and shot extensively the other day with the K100D it felt like I was using the DS. It is a tad quieter than the DS (though Pentax seems to go in for noisy shutters, my Canon is a lot quieter. Maybe it's to emulate that old-fashioned mechanical manual SLR feeling). And it has better menus than the DS, overall. I can't say quite how they are improved, but they are. A little lighter weight, but still not a plasticy camera, and not too light weight. I haven't tested it with the AS off yet, but I have gotten sharp enough photos with it and the 50-200 zoom (which is not quite as good as the 16-45 I have). I find I am trusting in-camera AS as much I as I trust my Canon IS lenses (I am not the steadiest person in the world). I shot all day the other day with K100D, and I think the best thing I can say about it is it became "transparent" to me. I was not thinking much about the camera when I was shooting at all. Instead I was thinking about my photographs. The best tools are the ones that can become transparent, IMHO. So, yeah, it's only 6 mp, and it isn't water sealed and it probably isn't as good as the K10D, but I am happy. I do not regret "upgrading" from the DS at all. Anyone currently using a DS would find the move to the K100D a short move with only minor changes. I will probably try AS (off and on) later and maybe report on that separately later too. Marnie aka Doe :-) --------------------------------------------- Warning: I am now filtering my email, so you may be censored. ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
