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 Watches dating, panorama mode, and a remote control.
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.
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