Comparison
I took along a Canon Sure Shot Z135 to not only compare the two cameras, but also to get some color images.
Pentax IQ Zoom 120SW on the left, and Canon Sure Shot Z135 on the right. Both cameras show little distortion, but the Canon has a much better record when it comes to exposures.
Biggest fault of the Pentax is the metering. Even with 400 speed film, I was getting too many under exposures. On a bright sunny day, it did very well, but once it was overcast, the Pentax was very hit-or-miss.
There is also the issue of whether it focuses well at infinity. I would get the flashing indicator by the viewfinder, and then hit the AF button to turn on the Infinity Focus program. You can't tell the difference, as far as I'm concerned. And the feature shuts back off after you take the exposure, so you have to turn it back on with every shot. This could get really annoying if trying to go for a 360 degree panorama, and keeping your horizon line in place, because the button is on the top of the camera, nestled close to two other buttons. This means you have to lower the camera to see if you actually have the Infinity Lock on.
I thought that this camera was a Panoramic mode only, until I just found the P button on the bottom of the camera. Oh well, that happens when you can't find a manual. I realy like the idea of a 28-120mm lens in a small package. It is pocketable, but there is a lens bulge, unlike with the Canon Sure Shot 120 Classic that retracted the lens completely into the camera body. But then it was a bigger camera, so it had the room.
Comparison
I took along a Canon Sure Shot Z135 to not only compare the two cameras, but also to get some color images.
Pentax IQ Zoom 120SW on the left, and Canon Sure Shot Z135 on the right. Both cameras show little distortion, but the Canon has a much better record when it comes to exposures.
Biggest fault of the Pentax is the metering. Even with 400 speed film, I was getting too many under exposures. On a bright sunny day, it did very well, but once it was overcast, the Pentax was very hit-or-miss.
There is also the issue of whether it focuses well at infinity. I would get the flashing indicator by the viewfinder, and then hit the AF button to turn on the Infinity Focus program. You can't tell the difference, as far as I'm concerned. And the feature shuts back off after you take the exposure, so you have to turn it back on with every shot. This could get really annoying if trying to go for a 360 degree panorama, and keeping your horizon line in place, because the button is on the top of the camera, nestled close to two other buttons. This means you have to lower the camera to see if you actually have the Infinity Lock on.
I thought that this camera was a Panoramic mode only, until I just found the P button on the bottom of the camera. Oh well, that happens when you can't find a manual. I realy like the idea of a 28-120mm lens in a small package. It is pocketable, but there is a lens bulge, unlike with the Canon Sure Shot 120 Classic that retracted the lens completely into the camera body. But then it was a bigger camera, so it had the room.