09/17, 12:00am
Pentax K-x camera brings HD movies
Pentax tonight aggressively tackled the starter DSLR field with an overhaul for its least expensive K series camera. Now using the Japanese naming scheme, the K-x becomes the least expensive DSLR ever to shoot video and records 720p at 24 frames per second. Compared to the K2000 it replaces, it also gets a much improved 12-megapixel CMOS sensor (up from a 10-megapixel CCD) that takes in more light and has a dramatically larger ISO range that normally sits between 200 and 6,400 but can extend to 100 and 12,800 with an override.
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08/05, 6:25pm
Pentax WS80 P80 E80 Cams
Pentax tonight updated its Optio compacts with three new models that include an update to its semi-rugged W models. The WS80 can withstand water at depths of up to 5 feet but still keeps in step with most newer point-and-shoot cameras, including an option of shooting 720p, 30FPS video rarely seen in its category. Still images are captured at 10 megapixels and get a relatively long 5X optical zoom as well as ISO 6,400 sensitivity, face detection and anti-shake compensation to compose shots.
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07/06, 4:40pm
Pentax K-7 DSLR shipping
The Pentax K-7 digital SLR camera introduced at the end of May is now available via online retailer Amazon. Offered as a body-only, with no bundles in sight, the camera is priced at its promised $1,300. The 14.6-megapixel camera is Pentax' flagship, and can capture HD videos in 720p. Unlike other HD-capable cameras in the class, it also has a microphone jack for external input.
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06/24, 6:00pm
Pentax W80 rugged camera
Pentax on Wednesday announced the Optio W80, a rugged digital camera featuring a 12.1-megapixel sensor capable of recording 720p video at 30 frames-per-second. The housing is claimed to remain waterproof at depths of up to 16 feet for two hours of continuous operation. Integration of shock-resistant materials throughout the internal components protects against drops from heights of more than three feet without damage to the body. The camera also works in temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
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05/20, 10:00am
Pentax K7 DSLR debuts
Pentax has formally introduced the new K-7 DSLR featuring a 14.6-megapixel sensor and HD video capture capabilities, confirming several details leaked earlier this week. The redesigned CMOS sensor is claimed to offer reduced noise, while four-channel output enables fast captures. Users can select various video resolutions, including 1280x720 and 1536x1024 at 30 frames per second, including with controls for aperture. An external microphone terminal supports stereo recording.
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05/18, 10:10am
Pentax K7D Specs Leak
A forum leak today may have provided details of the new K series camera Pentax plans to launch later this week. Using an claimed promo graphic as support, the tip supports the notion of a K7D launch and maintains that the camera will have the 14.6-megapixel resolution of the K20D but a new PRIME II imaging engine and the company's first-ever support for HD video recording in an SLR. A viewfinder with 100 percent coverage is also billed as new.
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05/15, 11:10am
Pentax Optio E75
Pentax today brought out an update to its most basic cameras in the Optio E75. The compact maintains the 10-megapixel sensor and 3X optical zoom of the E70 but grows the preview LCD from 2.4 to 2.7 inches. It continues to carry more recent software-driven features such as a full-auto scene mode, face detection with a face priority mode as well as smile detection.
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05/13, 1:35pm
Pentax K Teaser in US
Pentax today supported rumors by posting a teaser on its home page for a new digital SLR. Calling it only "the new K," the company shows a top portion of the camera and is running a countdown that ends on May 20th, when the announcement takes place. No clues are given as to what features the camera would have other than familiar DSLR features like a flash hot shoe.
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04/23, 8:50am
Pentax K7D Teaser
Pentax may have confirmed rumors of its K7D flagship through a new Japanese teaser ad. The spot advertises a "new K" camera that will be unveiled on May 21st, falling in line with claims of a third-week introduction that month, and appears to provide a partial shot of the camera itself. No immediate clues have been given as to the feature set other than the presence of the expected flash hot shoe.
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04/21, 1:55pm
Pentax K7D Rumor
The rumored new Pentax digital SLR may ultimately be a new high-end model that sits at the top of the line. An Austrian forum leak corroborated separately suggests that a new camera known as the K7D will be unveiled in the third week of May and that it won't be a sequel to the K20D but instead its own, unique model. The single-digit naming scheme implies Pentax is pursuing the quality of a camera like Canon's EOS-5D Mark II.
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04/16, 1:15pm
Leaked Pentax DSLR image
An image of what appears to be an upcoming Pentax digital SLR camera has been spotted on a Chinese blog site earlier this week. While no hard specs are known, the blurry image does reveal a body that is different from the current Pentax range, including the three new special-run DSLRs announced late last month. The camera sports a new-look Pentax logo introduced when Hoya bought Pentax in the summer of 2007.
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04/10, 4:55pm
Lensbaby Composer Look
Lensbaby, makers of unusual optics add-ons for DSLRs, continues to evolve the product, as seen with the recently introduced Composer. We've taken a quick look at the system to see how it works as well as to provide some anecdotes from our experience using it in practice. We've also taken a look at the Optic Swap System that lets you tailor the visual effects of the Composer.
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03/24, 3:35pm
Pentax 645 and Special K20
Pentax on Tuesday served both the very high and very low ends of its audience with more details on its first true medium-format digital camera as well as two special editions of its mainstream digital SLRs. Teased as early as 2007, the 645 Digital (shown) is now set to be the company's sharpest-ever camera and should produce at least a 30-megapixel image. It should also accept any of the film-based 645's lenses and should have a large and likely full-view eyepiece. Pentax will show a prototype at the Photo Imaging Expo in late March and now says the finished 645 Digital is due in 2010.
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03/03, 12:40pm
Pentax X70 Official
Pentax today followed up on late leaks with the formal debut of the X70. Considered a "bridge" camera, the 12-megapixel camera is one of the longest-ranged ultrazooms with a 24x, 26-624mm equivalent lens and with image stabilization built into the sensor. It also provides full manual control and settings often reserved for SLRs, with aperture and shutter priority providing photographers an in-between option for photography.
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03/02, 11:25am
Pentax X70 Leak
Pentax should top its camera launches for the PMA show with its first real ultrazoom compact. Listings at B&H and elsewhere have revealed that the X70 will center on a 24X, 26-624mm equivalent lens with sensor-shift image stabilization. The 12-megapixel camera should also be very fast with an option to shoot at up to 11 frames per second by lowering the resolution to 5 megapixels.
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02/23, 4:45pm
Pentax drops K20D pricing
Pentax on Monday announced an immediate price drop for its K20 digital SLR camera, which sports a 14.6-megapixel sensor and a dust-proof, weather-resistant body. The new $200 discount is permanent, unlike an earlier price drop where Pentax lowered prices for the K20D and K2000 DSLR cameras and their bundles until by $100 until February 22nd. The body of the Pentax K20D is now priced at nearly $800, while the K20D with a DA 18-55mm II lens kit costs nearly $880. A kit with a 16-45mm lens kit carries a price tag of $1,200.
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02/04, 9:35am
Pentax Cuts and K2000 Kits
Pentax on Wednesday spurred sales ahead of the PMA expo by slashing prices on its mainstream digital SLRs and launching a handful of new K2000 kits. The 14.6-megapixel K20D mid-range camera is getting an immediate $100 discount that lasts until February 22nd; the K2000 flash bundle that carries an 18-55m lens and an AF200FG external flash is also dropping permanently to $600. The special white K2000 bundle is also seeing a price reduction to $680.
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01/05, 11:00pm
New Pentax cameras
Ahead of CES, Pentax on Tuesday announced two compact digital cameras: the Optio P70 and Optio E70. The ultra-slim PENTAX Optio P70 digital compact camera offers 12 megapixel resolution, a 4X optical zoom (equivalent to 27.5mm-110mm), and a wide angle 28mm lens; The Optio P70 features metal body and is available in multiple colors. Other features include a 2.7 inch high-res, wide-angle view LCD panel, and new Pixel Track Shake Reduction technology decrease shake in low lighting. The Optio P70 also offers Advanced Face Recognition that tracks up to 32 faces in 0.03 seconds as well as both Smile Capture that automatically releases the shutter when subjects smile and Blink Detection to provide alerts when subject’s eyes are closed.
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12/17, 6:55am
White K2000 DSLR camera
PENTAX imaging has announced a limited edition white version of the K2000 camera with a double zoom kit. The camera continues to use a 10.2 megapixel sensor and a 2.7-inch wide-view LCD monitor, and is still tailored towards newcomers: a custom image mode containing six preset options and a full auto picture mode potentially take full control of the scene rather than pushing the user into manual control. Other touches include ten different scene modes, a help button, and a dust alert function for the sensor.
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09/22, 8:15am
Pentax K2000
Pentax this morning quickly followed up its European launch of the K-m with an American equivalent, the K2000. The camera is Pentax's attempt at competing against beginner-friendly DSLRs like Nikon's D40/D60 and, as with the European K-m, is much more compact than most such cameras. The help button is now said to be programmed by the user to pop up certain relevant information in addition to context-sensitive help. All settings info shows on the rear LCD rather than on the secondary top displays from larger but more complex DSLRs.
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09/21, 10:55pm
Pentax K-m
Pentax tonight jumped into competition against the Nikon D40 and Canon Rebel XS with the launch of its previously leaked K-m digital SLR. Although equipped with the full-size sensor and detachable lens system of an SLR, the 10.2-megapixel camera is consciously designed to acclimate first-time users with a smaller body and simplified controls that resemble those of a point-and-shoot. Settings info is moved to the back LCD rather than the top LED display often found on higher-end cameras, while a D40-like help button is also present.
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09/19, 12:35pm
Pentax DSLR, lens leaks
Camera builder Pentax has accidentally leaked information on a new camera, according to reports. Thought to be called the K-m (not pictured), the camera would allegedly be an entry-level DSLR, similar to Nikon's D60 or Canon's Rebel XS. Specifications pulled from Amazon UK point to a 10-megapixel CCD sensor with sensor-shift stabilization, and ISO sensitivity up to 3200. It is expected to shoot in PEF or DNG RAW formats at up to 3.5fps, and come equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD. Unlike most DSLRs, it is also believed to be powered by four AA batteries, not a proprietary lithium-ion design.
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07/28, 8:30pm
Pentax Optio E60
Pentax tonight gave entry-level photographers an extra option through the 10.1-megapixel Optio E60. Its standout addition is a 32-96mm equivalent wide-angle lens that helps frame wide portrait shots, scenery, or other very horizontal subjects. Its beginner focus includes a fully automatic mode that changes all settings itself, though the camera adds face detection and ISO-based blur correction that also help more experienced owners.
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05/22, 7:30pm
Pentax W60
Just ahead of Memorial Day weekend (in the US), Pentax tonight released the Optio W60. Where other cameras need special shells underwater, the W60 is explicitly designed to be waterproof from the outset and includes watertight joints that extend to the lens: as the optics never protrude from the body, no room exists for water to seep in, the company boasts. The resulting adjustments lead to a camera that not only operates at up to 13 feet deep but is also dustproof and survives freezing temperatures as low as 14 Fahrenheit.
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04/11, 7:45pm
Samsung full-frame DSLR
Samsung has given indications that it will release a full-frame CMOS-based digital SLR camera, targeted towards professional users. The alleged camera is currently in the design stage, so a solid release schedule is not currently available. Amateur Photographer technical writer Barney Britton attended an industry event in Seoul where Kyong-Kook Shin, assistant manager for Samsung's digital camera marketing division said photographers could look forward to a full-frame DSLR with a Pentax lens mount in the future.
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03/17, 10:25pm
Pentax Optio V20
Pentax tonight ducked past the initial wave of camera releases this year and introduced the Optio V20. Though it runs at 8 megapixels versus the 10 or more of some high-end cameras, the point-and-shoot is balanced with a higher than average 5X optical zoom as well as a 3-inch LCD for composing shots. The camera producer also claims to deliver more intelligent electronics, with an automatic switch to macro mode, blink and smile detection to produce usable portraits, and autofocus that tracks moving subjects.
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01/30, 3:25pm
Pentax High-End SLR Coming
Pentax expects to offer an even higher-end digital SLR than its just-introduced K20D, company product manager John Carlson has confirmed. A roadmap for the electronics maker reveals that a new, higher-end camera should be enroute sometime in 2009 and will be considered the first fully professional camera from Pentax. It "would be a new category" for the company, Carlson says. Most of the company's camera line centers around point-and-shoot compact models.
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01/24, 11:55am
Samsung Cams at PMA 2008
Samsung today became the latest in a series of camera makers to update their lines for the PMA photography show next week. At the top of the line, the GX-20 digital SLR is a close cousin to the similarly new Pentax K20D but with key differences; while it shares the same 14.6-megapixel, low-noise CMOS camera sensor as the K20D, the GX-20 includes a different on-camera interface and generates JPEG images differently than its Pentax sibling. The Samsung unit's physical design is also different and sports a dedicated RAW shooting button that produces an uncompressed shot even when the camera is normally set to JPEG mode.
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01/24, 12:25am
Pentax PMA 2008
Alongside its K-series updates, Pentax tonight revealed a trio of point-and-shoot models as its entries in the PMA photography show. The Optio S12 is one of the smallest 12-megapixel cameras yet, the company claims, and produces features expected of some larger models such as ISO 3200 sensitivity in its anti-blur model. It will also be one of the least-expensive cameras in the category when it ships in April for $280.
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01/23, 4:15pm
Pentax K20D and K200D
Pentax joined in the slew of updates for the PMA photo expo this afternoon with updates to its K-series digital SLRs. Looking to earn the same reputation as its larger rivals, the company's flagship K20D jumps from 10.1 to 14.6 megapixels compared to the older K10D but also switches to a new CMOS sensor; this eliminates much of the noise that appears with conventional CCD sensors at mid-to-high ISO sensitivity levels used for shooting in low light, the camera maker explains. It also extends that ISO range to 6400 and supplies hardware image stabilization through the body rather than the lens.
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