Guys,
Any concern about the penta-mirror viewfinder in the K100D is misplaced. The K100D/K110D are replacements for the *ist DL/2 and uses the same viewfinder as the DL used, which was still (IMHO) preferable to the finders used by the competition. In effect, this is simply an upgraded DL with more AF points (11 as per the DS), improved image processing and shake reduction system (K100D), all at what looks like pretty sharp pricing. The penta-prism is/was used in the *ist DS/2 and *ist D.
The higher level camera is due to be released later in the year (Photokina?) and has already been announced as having a 10mpix sensor. It has been rumoured to also have shake reduction – infact that preview pics of the body from PMA show what we now know to be the SR switch as used on the K100. This new model is rumoured to be called K10D.
The shake reduction system looks to have really good potential as Pentax appear to have made it work with pretty much any lens you can bolt to the body, including M42 glass. This is achieved through a menu option allowing you to enter the focal length of the lens in use when the camera can’t detect it.
The 21mm pancake lens also looks good and ought to be released shortly.
Regards,
Stuart.