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.
