Pentax K200D vs Pentax KM — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Pentax K200D
44
WINNER
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Pentax · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Pentax KM
41
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K200D and the Pentax KM are both 2008 APS-C DSLRs built around the same Pentax KAF mount, so any K-mount lens you already own fits either body. The K200D arrived in January, and the KM followed in September. Both pair a 10.2 megapixel CCD with an optical pentamirror viewfinder, so prints and crops start from the same resolution. The KM is the lighter and smaller body, at 590 grams against 690 grams for the K200D, and it measures 123 x 92 x 68 mm against 134 x 95 x 74 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 23, 2008 | September 22, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 134 x 95 x 74 mm | 123 x 92 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 690 g | 590 g |
| Optics | 48/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe KM is the better pick for handheld shooting in dim rooms, because its native ISO range reaches 3200 while the K200D stops at 1600. That extra stop of sensitivity gives you faster shutter speeds indoors at a school play or a candlelit dinner without changing lenses. The K200D answers with a native minimum of ISO 100 against the KM's 125, which suits long exposures in bright light. The KM also shoots at 3.5 frames per second against 2.8 on the K200D, a useful margin for a child running across the garden. In-body stabilisation is shared, so any K-mount lens gains shake reduction on either body. Both offer 11 autofocus points and a 1/4000 second top shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.2 MP050 | 10.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3872 x 2592 | 3872 x 2592 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
16 x 24 | 16 x 24 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
2.8 fps045 | 3.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Pentax KAF | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime | Prime |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 12530200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither the K200D nor the KM records video or offers a built-in timelapse mode, so both are stills-only bodies. Anyone who wants movie capture alongside stills will need a different camera entirely. Composition happens through the optical viewfinder. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 34/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing makes the K200D the better companion on a drizzly beach walk or a dusty trail, because it is sealed while the KM is not. Each body also carries a 2.7 inch, 230,000 dot LCD, a built-in flash and a hot shoe for an external flash. Both lack GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth, so neither camera tags your photos with location data or transfers images wirelessly. Neither body offers live view or a tilting screen either, so framing is through the optical viewfinder only. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 51/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe K200D gives you slightly wider card flexibility, accepting MMC cards alongside SD and SDHC, while the KM takes SD and SDHC only. In practice SD and SDHC cover most needs for both bodies, and each has a single card slot. Both cameras run on four AA batteries, which is handy when travelling, since spares are available almost anywhere, and both carry the same 1800 shot battery rating. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / MMC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | 4 x AA batteries | 4 x AA batteries |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1800 shots1505000 | 1800 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the K200D for outdoor work in changeable weather, because its weather sealing is protection the KM does not offer, and its ISO 100 base suits bright-day long exposures. Choose the KM for indoor or low light work, where its ISO 3200 ceiling doubles the K200D's reach, or for moving subjects at 3.5 frames per second.
The shared mount, resolution and sensor type mean your existing lenses work on either body, and in-body stabilisation is common to both. Weigh the K200D's weather sealing and ISO 100 base against the KM's higher ISO ceiling, faster burst and lighter body.