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Posts with tag pentax

Pentax K-m DSLR gets smothered in Swarovski crystals


No, you can't order a Pentax K-m with live view, but you can end up with one littered in Swarovski crystals. Over at Photokina, this gem (ahem) was proudly on display, reportedly aimed at dames in the crowd with a thing for fashion and technology. A company representative wouldn't disclose pricing, through she did say any prospective buyers could phone up Pentax to talk cheddar.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Pentax's 10.2 megapixel compact K2000 for first time reflexers


As the big Photokina show prepares to launch tomorrow, out pops the new Pentax K2000 first spotted over the weekend as the leaked K-m. Positioned as an entry-level DSLR for those looking to make the jump from point-and-shoot, the K2000 features dead-simple Auto Picture modes, a 10.2 megapixel CCD and 2.7-inch LCD offering 96% field of view, ISO 3200 sensitivity, and the vibrational dust removal system and Shake Reduction tech expected from a Pentax K-series shooter. All this housed in one of the smallest and lightest camera bodies in its class. The K2000 body ships only as part of a $700 kit containing a smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL lens (a first from the affordable DA L series) and AF200FG flash starting in November. Optional $1,500 smc PENTAX DA 60-250mm f/4 ED[IF] SDM lens pictured after the break.

Update: Hands-on preview of the K2000 (aka, the K-m as it's known in Europe) over at dpreview.

Pentax K-m DSLR leaks out a little early


Just in time for the big Photokina show in Koln, Germany, rumours are buzzing about a new Pentax DSLR that briefly appeared on the Pentax Germany site. Though details are sketchy, the K-m looks to be a lower-cost take on the K10D, with the same 10.2 megapixel Sony sensor and in-body stabilization but a lighter and smaller plastic case and slightly larger 2.7-inch LCD display. Sadly, there's no live view, but if the rumored pricing -- €500 ($725) for the single (18-55m) lens and €600 ($875) for the 2-lens kit (18-55mm and 50-200mm) -- is accurate that might not be a dealbreaker. We'll find out soon.

[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]

Pentax Optio W60 waterproof camera gets reviewed


When it comes to choosing a waterproof digital camera, there's obviously one feature that matters above all others and, according to Trusted Reviews, Pentax's Optio W60 passes that test without any difficulty. What's more, it's also apparently reasonably rugged, and it takes some decent pictures for good measure. While you can expect the usual noise problems at the highest ISO settings (including a nearly useless ISO 6400), the W60 looks to actually perform decent enough up to ISO 800, which is more than you can say for some cameras. On the downside, the site found that the camera suffered from some "particularly bad barrel distortion" at wide angle settings, and it proved to be a bit more sluggish than the norm, which appears to be at least partly due to the camera's autofocus system. Still, if resistance to the elements is your top priority, it looks like this one will get the job done.

Pentax rolls out another yawner: the 10MP M60 point-and-shoot


If the E60 had you dozing last night, you'll be conked out in no time by the time you finish reading this. Pentax is at it again, proving that point-and-shoot cameras can still be boring this day and age. The M60 tries to be fancy with a 10-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, "approximately 36.5MB of built-in memory," movie / panorama modes, a variety of scene modes and smile detection capabilities to boot. Expect this one to arrive late next month in blue, pink and silver for around £90 ($179).

[Via PhotographyPress]

Pentax Optio E60's 10 megapixels are easy on the wallet


In strict megapixel to dollar terms, the new Optio E60 from Pentax is a real steal, at a mere $140 for its absurd 10 megapixels. Of course, there's more to the story. The 3x zoom and lack of optical image stabilization -- "High Sensitivity Digital Shake Reduction" is little comfort -- won't be winning you any "best candid shot of whatever we did last night" awards, but there are some decent automatic perks like face recognition and a "Green" settings mode for absolute novices that should keep you from getting booted out of your Flickr pool. The E60, which is powered by AA batteries, will be available in October.

Pentax K200D gets reviewed


Pentax's K200D has been out and about for a little while now, but if you're still undecided about taking the plunge on the mid-range DSLR, you may want to pay a visit to Photography Blog, which has just put the camera through its paces. On the whole, they seem to have come away pretty impressed with it, saying that it offers a "substantial number of improvements" over the previous K100D, which they say was already an excellent camera to begin with. In addition to the bump to 10-megapixels, the site seems to have been particularly impressed by the camera's new Sv shooting mode, "greatly improved battery life," and some new dust and water-resistant weatherproof sealing. On the downside, there's still no Live View mode, but considering the price (around $600 street), it seems like this one is a solid bet.

Pentax kicks out the waterproof Optio W60


Pentax has been cranking out waterproof Optio point-and-shoots for a while now, and the company's latest, the W60, doesn't really break from the company's successful basic formula. The 10 megapixel shooter packs a 2.5-inch LCD, 5x optical zoom that doesn't ever extend out from the main camera body, 720p movie mode, ISO 6400 sensitivity and face, smile, and blink detection. Oh, and it works in depths up to 13 feet in temperatures of just 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and is JIS Class 5 certified against dust and sand. You know, just in case. Should be out in July for $329 in both blue and silver.

Samsung working up full-frame CMOS sensor for pro DSLR?

Go on and grab your salt shaker, as this rumor just isn't fit to digest without a few dashes. According to information gathered by Amateur Photographer during an "informal discussion with [Kyong-Kook Shin] at an industry event in Seoul, Korea," Samsung could be developing a full-frame CMOS imaging sensor. As the story goes, said sensor would eventually be housed in an undisclosed "professional DSLR," but as of now, the device has only reached the design stage. When Sammy's UK branch was contacted about the whispers, it refused to confirm, but commercial director Robert King did note that the company was "committed to the DSLR market" and would "continue to invest in R&D in this important market sector." Yeah, it's all shaky at best, but we can't pretend we aren't a wee bit giddy just thinking about it.

[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]

Pentax introduces 8MP Optio V20 point-and-shoot


Not quite able to squeeze into a size 2 chassis before PMA, Pentax's Optio V20 now has the runway all to itself. This 8-megapixel point-and-shoot isn't anything spectacular, but the 5x optical zoom is a nice complement to the 3-inch LCD monitor, face recognition, blink detection, USB 2.0 connectivity, video out and VGA movie mode. You'll also find a SD / SDHC expansion slot in case 52MB of built-in memory just isn't enough, and the rechargeable Li-ion is said to be good for around 200 clicks on a full charge. On board? Start pinching those pennies now, as this one will set you back $279.95 when it runs aground in May.

[Via CNET]

Pentax canceling the 645 Digital to focus on K-series DSLRs?


Pentax's 31.6 megapixel medium-format 645 Digital has been announced for over a year now -- we've even seen one in the flesh -- but it's never actually shipped, and now it looks like it never will. According to Impress, Pentax is killing off its digital medium format cameras to focus on K-series DSLRs, but the 645's film versions will live on. Considering the ever-more-competitive field of excellent prosumer cams out there, we can't say we fault the decision, but if there are any engineering samples lying around, we'll be happy to take 'em off Pentax's hands.

Hands-on with Pentax's new Optio lineup


There doesn't seem to be a lot of excitement when Pentax releases new cameras in its Optio range -- do you people only love them for their DSLRs? -- but nonetheless, we gave them the same hands-on treatment that everyone else gets. Below you'll find the new S12, E50, and M50 in all their seemingly-unpopular glory, despite the fact that they seemed like fairly stylish, solidly-built products to us. Still with us? Great, we've got a lot of multi-colored point-and-shoot action in store for you.

Hands-on with the Pentax K20D DSLR


Lookee here, the K20D, Pentax's flagship entry in the DSLR race and replacement for the K10D. Good looking stuff here, and right off the bat you can see it's a step above the K200D: a proper command dial in place of buttons on the back of that dust-proof (not just resistant) and weather-resistant body. But the beauty's more than skin deep -- check out the 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor, Live View 2.7-inch LCD and ISO sensitivity that peaks out at 3,200 (thanks, CMOS!). And in case you were wondering, no "scene" modes at this level, either.

Hands-on with the Pentax K200D DSLR


Pretty much all the major camera manufacturers had their wares on display tonight at Digital Focus, the pregame event to PMA. We got our hands on Pentax's prosumer DSLR, the K200D. Pentax definitely makes a competitive case for itself here -- lots of buyers just getting into a DSLR don't have "investments" into glass from other vendors, and the features on the K200D look great: 10.2-megapixel CCD, 2.7-inch LCD, Shake Reduction in the body, and dust/weather resistant seals. We're curious to see if the "soft" JPEG processing from Pentax's other DSLRs still remains.

Samsung GX-20 DSLR gets official in the UK

Samsung's GX-20 DSLR has taken a rather roundabout route on the way to release -- first getting leaked on a Norwegian website and then getting official in Korea -- but it looks like things are really pickup up now, with Samsung announcing the camera for the UK and, thankfully, providing all the details this time around. As we knew before, the DSLR is a 14.6-megapixel number, with a 2.7-inch live view LCD, RAW and JPEG modes, sensor-based image stabilization, and ISO settings up to 3200, among other equally impressive specs. What's new this time around is the all-important price (£699, or just under $1,400), and some of the finer details, including word of two new lenses for the camera. What's more, as Digital Photography Review points out, this announcement also confirms that the GX-20 is, in fact, essentially the same camera as Pentax's just-announced K20D, with the Samsung boasting only a few minor cosmetic changes and, according the company, its own JPEG processing.



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