Product Description

The PENTAX IQZoom 200 makes a little go a long, long way as the world's first zoom compact camera with 200mm telephoto capability. An uncompromising yet user-friendly camera, the IQZoom 200 expands the realms of photographic possibility with a ground-breaking 48mm-200mm zoom lens. With the Zoom Macro, you can capture a large, detailed image of your subject without making any adjustments from as close as 1.2m at 200mm telephoto to 0.8m at 48mm wide-angle. The "Actual Image" viewfinder employs automatic LCD parallax compensation to display the framing area with superb precision. IQZoom 200 has Multiple Exposure mode.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #87697 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Pentax
• Model: 200

Features

• Powerful 48-200mm zoom lens
• Passive 5-point autofocus
• Built-in flash with red-eye reduction
• 10-second self-timer
• Panorama, bulb, slow synch, and landscape shooting modes

From the Manufacturer
The PENTAX IQZoom 200 makes a little go a long, long way as the world's first zoom compact camera with 200mm telephoto capability. An uncompromising yet user-friendly camera, the IQZoom 200 expands the realms of photographic possibility with a ground-breaking 48mm-200mm zoom lens.

Features

• The extraordinary zoom lens of the IQZoom 200 takes you easily from 48mm to 200mm with a superb 4.2-times zoom ratio.
• The IQZoom 200 features a user-friendly mode dial, so you can turn the power on and off and select the desired mode with a single twist of the dial.
• The five-point passive autofocus system produces images that are eyelash sharp, even in shots that may "fool" other cameras, like those taken through window glass or an off center subject.
• The highly accurate six-segment multi-pattern metering system measures lighting conditions to assure optimum exposure of the subject even in difficult lighting situations.
• The large, easy-to-read LCD instruction panel automatically illuminates to provide you with all the information you need to operate the camera day or night.
• Automatic backlight compensation fires the flash during backlight conditions to properly expose the subject.
• The "Slide-Out" flash comes out to the side of the camera as soon as the power is turned on, ready to act. . . automatically. It also provides a "red-eye" reduction mode in addition to a number of other flash options.
• For a different perspective in your photo, simply switch to panorama mode -- even in mid-roll. The IQZoom 200 automatically provides a view of the new panorama area via the viewfinder.
• With the Zoom Macro, you can capture a large, detailed image of your subject without making any adjustments from as close as 1.2m (4ft.) at 200mm telephoto to 0.8m (2.6ft.) at 48mm wide-angle.
• The "Actual Image" viewfinder employs automatic LCD parallax compensation to display the framing area with superb precision. The adjustable diopter allows the user to adjust the viewfinder image to match his/her eyesight.
• The IQZoom 200 packs the maximum features into minimum dimensions within its ultra-compact ergonomic design.
• The self timer mode allows you time to get into the picture. It releases the shutter ten seconds after pressing. The optional remote control provides even more control, releasing the shutter with a three-second delay.
• Remember that day forever with the optional date imprinting available on the IQZoom 200 Date model.

Customer Reviews

expensive but terrific
If you are looking for a point and shoot (P&S) camera which has it all (and if you dont mind paying those extra $$ for a quality product) then you should seriously consider the Pentax IQ Zoom 200. This is probably one of the best in P&S film cameras. Its powerful 200mm zoom feature (I think its the highest in this category) lets you capture those spots you never thought you'll be able to (clearly). The powerful zoom lets you take great pics (as in the zoo).

Ergonomics: I found the position of the viewfinder (to the left corner as opposed to the usual center) very helpful in adjusting when taking pictures (in vertical) without a pivot. When you rest the camera vertical over a couple of books (for the correct height adjustment), the viewfinder is at the top and its very convenient compared to the case when its in the center.

Features: Apart from the normal and flash (daylight sync) mode, it has the following-

Slow speed without flash: Used when flash photography is prohibited (theaters/museums) and low light conditions exist

Slow speed with flash: To photograph subjects and background in a balanced way (flash for foreground and slow speed for low-light background)

Bulb mode: long exposure times (fireworks and night scene)

Bulb Synch: Uses flash in addition to the bulb mode to take a protrait photo with a night scene in the background.

It has red-eye reduction, self-timer (10 seconds) and can also be controlled by remote. The LCD panel gives a clear readout and also indicates any errors. Has auto-focus, spot-focus and focus-lock (for difficult to focus subjects). You can also take photos in the panorama mode (as in the beach). I would recommend getting the quartz date model (which prints the date automatically). You can change the date mode from mm-dd-yy to other combinations like dd-mm-yy (common in the East), yy-mm-dd. Use film of ISO 400 for better pictures. The Multi-exposure mode lets you superimpose pictures onto a single frame to create fantastic illusions. All in all its a camera which gives you the maximum features with the ease of operation and has a powerful zoom. You could get a digital camera for the same price but it will not have the features like this one.

The only thing I'll crib about is the cost. But if you are willing to invest those $$ for great pictures then this is what you should get. Pentax has a very informative web-site which you might want to check too.

A lot of bang, and some bulk, for your buck
I bought this camera for two reasons - a 200mm zoom in a automatic 35mm size, and for all its cool features, such as panorama and infinity clear focus, which makes it ideal for outdoor shooting. Let me tell you, though it's a little bulky (the Olympus Stylus zoom cameras are smaller), I wouldn't trade this camera for anything. If you want professional quality shots but aren't a photo pro, this is the camera for you. The Pentax lens is characteristically sharp. And despite its lightweight, it's rugged enough to go most anywhere.

If you can find it, get the non-date version and save some money; I still don't understand how anyone could want the date printed on their pictures.

Fantastic!
This is a fantastic camera that I've been recommending to everyone. I had bought a simple Olympus one shot for a trip to Europe. After shooting nearly 12 rolls of film, I got the photos developed, and none of them had turned out. It seems that at the manufacturing plant there had been something covering one of the lenses in the camera that hadn't been removed. Furious I called Olympus who never called back. Classic example of horrible customer service dicatating future sales. The Pentax on the other hand is a miracle! The camera is much more light weight than you'd think given it's size, and the durable design makes it easy to hold even with just one hand. It has the option of removing the time/date stamp if you want which is nice. Some don't give you that. The great thing is the camera comes with six different flash modes to set for various light settings. For people who are camera novices, don't be alarmed. In two small pages the booklet explains what they are, and it's really quite simple. The zoom is terrific, and there's a meter inside that lets you know if the camera can't figure out what you're focusing on. The camera almost makes it hard to take a bad picture. There's also the added feature of choosing between standard and panorama, as well as red eye reduction. One thing I did learn about red eye. Remember it's reduction, not elimination. The reason red eyes happens is because in the small cameras the flash is situated so close to the lens. So no camera with red eye reduction can completely eliminate it. The camera does cost a bit more, but I've learned the hard way you get what you pay for. I plan to have this one for a long time!