Though the Pentax ZX-M SLR camera shares its compact dimensions and easy-to-use features with the Pentax ZX series, this model lets you switch from a completely automatic mode to a completely manual mode. In addition to the user-friendly features, this camera incorporates a wide variety of functions, including a multimode exposure system, an advanced light-metering system, and a 1/2000-second high-speed shutter. The Pentax ZX-M uses the Pentax A-series manual focus lenses, the FA- and F-series autofocus lenses, as well as a wide range of optional accessories to satisfy the photographer's creative needs.
With its four exposure modes: Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Metered Manual, and Programmed AE, you can give this camera as much or as little control over your pictures as you want. You can use the Programmed AE for those shots that you want exposed with no guesswork on your part, while Aperture-Priority AE and the Shutter-Priority AE give you partial control over the shot. Or, for complete control, switch to the manual mode and capture the shot exactly the way you want it.
The Pentax ZX-M lets you check the depth-of-field for a given aperture with just the push of a button. This feature ensures that your picture will have the visual effect that you want, before you take the shot. You can even use this feature when the camera is set in automatic mode. The external LCD viewfinder display features the Pentax Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, which gives you a sharp, clear image and lets you confirm all of your settings with just a glance.
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I bought this used camera in August and yesterday the shutter buckled while I was photographing. The images have not been totally been in focus, its been hit or miss. It's 15 days past my return date so I can't return it. I'm really dissappointed in this camera as I've heard great things about Pentax.
It's a nice camera, exposures are good. This particular lens has a very loose focus ring which I don't like. but overall the camera is a good way to learn photography and take fine pictures.. . Depth of field preview is very handy, especially if you are not familiar with how different apertures affect your image. There is no end to the number of used lenses you can purchase for this camera so it's easy to shop competitively and build a system.
For what it's worth, I am old school, having earned a degree in photography before the digital age.
I bought th zx-m to replace an old K-1000 that getting old and a little unriable. The nice thing about the zx-m is it is only manual focas camrea the Pentax makes. It still uses all the old pentax lense and will work with all the old pentax lenses as well as the automatic focus lense. The only bad thing is you will not be able to use the aperture priority setting if you have a lense with does not have a setting for it. You can check to see if you have an A lense if you have the green A on the f stop ring. This forced me to buy a new lense because I wanted this feature. If you don't mind manual metering then you don't have to buy the Pentax A lenses. The nice thing that makes this camrea a little better than the K-1000 is it can be fully manual or you can use the shutter priority and the aperture priority together. It does use a lot of plastic in the construction of the body which gives it a cheaper feel. I love my pentax super program because it has be with me through rough conditions and still keeps on working relaibly. If you drop any camrea it will break even stainless steel camreas dent and can stop working after a slight drop. Usally from waist level to floor will do it. But with plastic it will crack and expose the in side of the camera to dirt and contaminants. The last thing I say is the lense mount is plastis. Some people don't like that and some don't mind. It does not effect the performance of the camera but is easier to break. As to the long term wear it can stand if your carefuly it will last a long time and if you are rough when mounting you lenses it will not last long. If you are looking for the best Pentax camera on the market to day it is the ZX-5n.
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2003
I bought a Pentax ZX-M (not from Amazon) a couple years ago. This is an excellent camera for a great price, and I've gotten my money's worth back and then some. The lens that comes with the kit does particularly well in close shots. That being said, there are a couple things to beware of: - this camera is not so good for shooting pictures of animals (birds, pets etc) since the shutter is rather loud. - it is also very light and so it seems very front-heavy with a big lens or on a light (cheap) tripod. The lightness is a huge plus when hiking or during any activity when you just don't want to lug around heavy stuff. - be careful when you need to change the batteries. Try to do so while there's no film loaded. I don't think this is supposed to happen, but it ate the film I was shooting when I ran out of batteries and had to change. I'm pretty sure this was a mistake on my part, so either read the manual carefully and do it right, or just change batteries when there's no film loaded. Happy shooting!
This camera is great. It was the first "real" camera I bought for myself when I started photography back in high school, years later I still have and use this camera. It's simple and easy to use with out being just a point-and-shoot. Perfect camera to learn on, and can use most of the older Pentax lenses.