Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #121275 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Pentax
• Dimensions: 3.60" h x 5.40" w x 5.20" l, .75 pounds

Features

• 11 Pentax Exposure Functions
• Wireless Flash & High Speed Sync capability
• Six selectable auto Picture Modes
• Six segment light metering
• TTL auto pop-up flash w/red-eye reduction

Amazon.com Product Description
The innovative Pentax ZX-L features super-compact dimensions, simple operation, and Pentax's original Auto Picture Mode with a large illuminated mode dial. Designed for intermediate photographers yet easy enough to use for the budding amateur, the ZX-L is fully equipped with high-end features.

The Auto Picture Mode automatically selects one of five picture modes: landscape, close-up, action, portrait, or standard program. The latter setting is based on your subjects' distance, lens focal length, and movement; the ZX-L then tells you the camera's decision via the illuminated mode dial. This eliminates the need for you to flip through different modes yourself when photos are quickly needed.

You can tackle any lighting situation with the built-in flash (with red-eye reduction) and Pentax's sophisticated six-segment multi-pattern light metering system which calculates the optimum exposure, so that even the most difficult high/low-contrast lighting situations are no problem.

The predictive autofocus function automatically detects your subject's motion and anticipates the correct positioning at the time of shutter release, resulting in perfectly focused pictures even when the subject is moving toward or away from the camera.

You can also create artistic shots by combing exposures onto a single frame. When taking three or more exposure onthe same frame, simply press the multiple exposure button after each exposure to create your image. This camera also features quartz dating, panorama mode, and a remote control.

Manufacturer Product Description
The innovative ZX-L features super-compact dimensions, simple operation, and PENTAX's original Auto Picture Mode with a large illuminated mode dial. Its multi-mode auto-exposure system makes it the perfect starter SLR not only for beginners but also for intermediate photographers. In addition, it offers a host of advanced features and user-selectable exposure modes for advanced photographic applications and creative expressions.

The ZX-L features 11 Pentax Functions to customize the camera to the user's needs. Six selectable Picture Modes when the user wants more control over camera functions; plus, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Bulb, and full manual. Illuminated mode dial shows what mode is selected.

Three-point wide-frame autofocus with selectable Spot AF quickly focuses on the subject, even when it isn't in the center of the frame. Predictive autofocus automatically engages when the camera detects subject movement. Intelligent Auto Picture Mode selects the proper program line for every photographic situation.

Built-in auto pop-up flash with red-eye reduction gives extra illumination in low light conditions. Six-segment metering perfectly exposes photos in any light. 1/4000-second high-speed shutter lets you capture fast moving subjects. Auto bracketing and exposure compensation functions give the user freedom to experiment with difficult lighting conditions. Multiple exposure function allows the user to create eye-catching images. Memory lock button allows the camera to memorize exposure information for 20 seconds while the shot is recomposed.

Large LCD panel that automatically illuminates in low light conditions allows the user to quickly reference important camera information. Viewfinder display provides a full range of exposure information, including the selected picture mode.

Customer Reviews

Excellent package for the price
I bought this camera to have a "good camera" for a trip to Europe, and I am in the shakedown phase of using it. This is my first AF camera, but prior to this I used another Pentax SLR, the P30t.

This camera has an excellent metering system. While you may wonder if a metering system with 35 points is better than Pentax's 6 segment metering, I doubt very seriously that it is. I have gotten accurate metering outdoors, in backlit situations, indoors, low light, etc. The spot metering system also seems to be accurate.

This camera has an "auto" mode that turns it into a glorified point & shoot camera. It works fantastically! When I check the f-stop and shutter speed settings I nearly always find them appriopriate for the situations I'm addressing. If you shoot slides have no fear, the ZX-L does not overexpose. For situations in which I want more control, both the shutter priority and aperture priority modes are extremely easy to use.

The AF system is great, too. It is not loud (though not as quiet as the Canon USM AF system), but it is reasonably fast and quite accurate. The body supports AF tracking for when a subject is moving. I have found that feature to work well, also.

This body has a durable *metal* KAF mount for lenses, which means old Pentax lenses from years gone by will fit. So you might be able to extend your lens collection for this camera by borrowing from friends who have old Pentax lenses they no longer use. For instance, I an old 50mm SMC-A lens from my old P30t with this camera just fine.

I find the 28-80 lens to be an adequate general purpose consumer zoom. It is, of course, not as fast optically (f/3.5-5.6) as a high end zoom, but works in most situations.

The on camera flash is very convenient, and pops up automatically in most situations where it is needed.

I have taken about 15 rolls of print film since getting my camera 1.5 months ago. These include indoor and outdoor pictures, pictures with the on camera flash and a larger flash on the hot shoe. All came out well. Exposure times varied from about 1/500 to 10". I have taken a roll of slides outdoors in bright sunlight with no exposure problems, and at night as long exposure with no exposure problems.

Pentax ZX-L, a superb camera
I bought my ZX-L about 6 weeks ago, have always loved pentax equipment, saw it in a photo shop, fooled with it and bought it in a minute, not the best way to buy photo equipment.
Now, a while later, I could not be more pleased, this is a beautifully made camera that consistently turns out magnificent photos. The idea of using an SLR as a point and shoot camera seemed ridiculous, I refused to accept it, started using it in Aperture or Shutter speed mode. The I decided to go for Pentax,s full program mode, and this is the way I use it exclusively now, the thing shoots almost exactly the way I would shoots, pick shutter and aperture as well as I can, also sets off flash when required, in that it does a much better job than I could.
There is no way to beat this silver beauty, there really is nothing to criticize, a great great camera.
If you,re looking for a new slr, go for the ZX-L, I just dropped digital and when back to film,

A very fine camera
I just purchased The Petax ZXL, I could not be more pleased, it workds just beautifully, in the process of using it you dont have to go back to the manual for more instructions, although the manual is pretty good, if you have some experience with these types of SLR AF cameras, this is a snap.
The camera works so well, the results are excellent, it is just a winner, I cannot understand why [Amazon.com] no longer carries this camera,thats a shame.
Besides working so well, this as some camera reviewers over the years have said, is typically Pentax, neat as a pin, works like a dream, when I saw it for the first time a few days ago, found it irresistable, I enjoy using a camera that does not look like a star wars weapon, has a very contemporary look, fits me perfectly, works beautifully and still has a tremendous battery of electronic enhancements very well hidden, I love the thing.
Also shot some slides, I eventually scan them in and they come out great, pentax slides with the ZXL are superb.
Nuff said.