Pentax Digital SLR camera

Pentax have typically been the top recommendations from the Minneapolis Star Tribune because the camera bodies have built-in image stabilization and also because their consumer-grade kit lenses are noticeably better than the Nikon and Canon counterparts.

They feel the the best buy on the market is the Pentax K20D, which sells for about $800 with an 18-55mm Series II lens. The Pentax K20D is a joy to both use and own compared to competing models, and the combination of sensor-shift image stabilization and the top of the line quality Pentax lenses guarantees great results.

Although the Pentax can be fully automatic and it is fairly easy to use, it does feel more like a pro camera than a consumer camera with its solidly built, weather-sealed body. The camera controls are conveniently placed, and the LCD screen and viewfinder are both big and bright. The 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor conserves power for many hundreds of exposures that can be used per battery charge, which produces professional-quality images that are both detailed and sharp with great color.

This is a digital SLR camera that should last many years based on build quality alone.