The best reason to get the fully automatic Pentax IQ Zoom 160 QD is for its state-of-the-art, ultrapowerful, and ultraclear 38-160mm zoom lens. This is one of the longest zoom lenses available on a 35mm point-and-shoot, making it a very versatile camera for travel, portraits, and everyday use. The body is ergonomically designed with a "slide-out" flash (includes red-eye reduction) that pops out of the side of the camera the moment you turn on the power, and the lens fully retracts to protect it when you shut off the camera. If you forget to shut off the power, the lens will retract to its original position anyway to protect it.
The IQ Zoom 160 QD features a five-point passive autofocus system that produces extremely sharp pictures, even in difficult focusing circumstances such as through a window. You can also take extreme close-up shots with its full-range macro capabilities for great pictures at any focal length. It is excellent in tough lighting situations as well, thanks to a six-segment multipattern metering system that takes incredibly accurate exposure measurements. The automatic backlight compensation feature lets you know when your main subject requires increased light, too.
This compact camera is designed to be very easy to operate. It includes a user-friendly mode dial that you simply twist to turn the power on or off and to select your desired flash mode. It is also easy to switch to panorama mode, and you can even create double exposures by using the multiexposure mode. In addition, the IQ Zoom 160 QD features an "actual image" viewfinder with automatic LCD parallax compensation for a precise framing area, an adjustable diopter so you can adjust the viewfinder to match your eyesight, and a large, easy-to-read LCD instruction panel that displays the vital information pertinent to each exposure. Other nice features include an optional remote control and date imprinting.
Manufacturer Product Description
With its compact, eye-catching body, the IQZoom 160 was designed to combine exceptional image quality with utmost versatility. Its state-of-the-art 38mm-160mm zoom lens offers superior picture-framing flexibility. In addition, the IQZoom 160 has all the other features that make Pentax compact zoom cameras so popular.
Zoom in to catch the subject's subtle expressions, or zoom out to capture the entire scene with the amazing 38mm-160mm power zoom lens, the longest on the market. The five-point passive autofocus system produces images that are eyelash sharp, even in shots that usually "fool" the camera like those taken through window glass or with an off center subject.
For spectacular landscapes or group pictures, just switch to the panorama mode at any time and any frame. Get eye-catching results with the multi-exposure mode that allows you to combine two or more exposures on a single frame. Move in close with the full-range macro for large, clear images at any focal length with no mode switching. Record those moments forever with the optional date imprinting available on the IQZoom 160 Date model.
The large, easy-to-read LCD instruction panel displays all the vital information to ensure a smooth and simple ride. The "Actual Image" viewfinder employs automatic LCD parallax compensation to display the framing area with superb precision. The adjustable diopter allows the user to adjust the viewfinder image to match his/her eyesight.
The "Slide-Out" flash comes out to the side of the camera as soon as the power is turned on, ready to act...automatically. The Slide-Out flash also provides a "red-eye" reduction mode in addition to a number of other flash options.
The six-segment multi-pattern metering measures lighting conditions with incredible accuracy to ensure proper exposure, even under difficult lighting conditions. With automatic backlight compensation, the camera tells you when your subject needs more light.
The IQZoom 160 features a user-friendly mode dial, so you can turn the power on and off and select the desired flash mode with a single twist of the dial. Even when you forget to turn the power off, the IQZoom 160 retracts the lens to the original position to protect it against damage.