The versatile built-in flash has several programmed exposure modes that suit a variety of lighting situations. If it detects an insufficient amount of light, the flash fires automatically; the backlight compensation uses the available natural lighting (without a flash) to improve the balance of light between the subject and the rest of the picture. The advanced flash functions let you flex your creative muscles; the flash-on mode can help eliminate shadows when sunlight is behind your subject, while the flash can be turned off for those times when use of flash is restricted--in museums or during concerts. You can also use the red-eye reduction lamp to help reduce that ugly red-eye effect often caused by flash photography.

For those times when your subject is in the distance, you can use the infinity-landscape mode to capture the image clearly--even through glass. With the 10-second self-timer, you can also add yourself to the picture. With all of these options, keeping track of your settings may seem a bit challenging. Pentax has a solution--the easy-to-read LCD panel lets you see all of your settings and levels, including: exposure counter, battery exhaustion warning mark, red-eye reduction, flash-on, flash-off, slow shutter, bulb, backlight compensation, infinity landscape, and self-timer, with one quick glance.

Since the IQ Zoom EZY-S is fully automatic, all you have to do is load the film and go. The film transport system handles the loading, winding, and rewinding. It even turns itself off after three minutes of inactivity, which saves battery power and protects the lens.