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Over the years, we've come to expect two things from Pentax compact cameras. One, that they are generally reliable, well-thought-out cameras that serve point- and-shooters well. Two, that they are usually largish bricks of black plastic.
In recent times, Pentax has tweaked its conservative design envelope here and there with metal-look plastic (the IQZoom 90MC and 140M, f'rinstance) and more compact body styling. But with two recent introductions, Pentax has gone hog-wild (at least for Pentax) into high-fashion, metal-bodied designs.
But relax. The IQZoom 120Mi (35mm) and the efina T (APS) are still replete with all the Pentax virtues-just that now they come in aluminum-clad packages. We'll look at the 35nun beast first. Aside from the very nicely finished aluminum casing, the 120Mi could be any IQZoom of recent vintage, which is to say that the controls are where you expect them, and camera functions are sorted out logically with four buttons.
View through the finder is crisp and undistorted, although, as with so many real-image zoom finders, you have to keep your eye carefully centered so as not to lose the image. Most eyeglass wearers could see to the edge of the finder frame. The viewfinder diopter on the 120NE is one of the very few on a P/S that can be adjusted at eye level. Panorama format is shown by full black edge masking.
A nice rubberlike accent helps you get a comfortable grip on the camera-, the shutter button falls naturally under your index finger; the zooming control (a conventional toggle switch) is within ready reach of your thumb. As is now long-standing Pentax practice, the 120Mi has four control buttons rather than one or two, and they are labeled with clear, understandable icons. The flash button allows you to choose all-auto, fill flash, flash off, night flash, bulb, and bulb with flash (wouldn't be an IQZoom without those last two!). The redeye button turns the single preflash on or off. The selftimer button sets the self-timer and infrared remote control. And the AF button lets you switch from wide-area autofocus (five points) to infinity lock and spot AF.
The control buttons don't require a button-poker (although they do need quite a firm push). And to help you make settings in the...