New Pentax Stuff: a new dSLR camera and several lenses


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fengwei

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Aug 25, 2004
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I was out for most of the day, just got back to the net and saw some good news :D Here is the list of some new stuff coming out by Pentax at the Photokina 2008:

PENTAX K-m, a 10mp entry level camera w/ SR, dust removal, 3.5fps ...
DA* 60-250/4 SDM
DA* 55/1.4 SDM
DA L 18-55/3.5-5.6, a cheaper lighter kit lens w/ plastic mount, similar to FAJ ...
DA L 50–200/4-5.6, a cheaper lighter 50-200 lens w/ plastic mount, similar to FAJ ...
DA 15/4 Limited
DA 1.4x SDM Rear Converter
AF160FC Ring Flash
DA Super Telephoto lens on the road map.


Here is the new roadmap:

Roadmap.jpg
 

The K-M just relegated my K100DS to sub-entry level :D

But the chrome trimming is yucksss.
 

Detailed spec about the new K-m camera:

10.2 Megapixels “ effective
23.5x15.7mm Interline Interlace CCD with primary colour filter
Colour depth: 3 x 12 Bit in RAW, 3 x 8 Bit in JPEG (internal 3 x 22 bit)
Resolution:
- JPEG: (JPEG Baseline in quality steps of Optimal, Better, Good)
10 MP (3,872 x 2,592), 6 MP (3,008 x 2,000), 2 MP (1,824 x 1,216)
- RAW: 10 MP (3,872 x 2,592)
Sensitivity: Automatic, Manual selectable (ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600,3,200)
Lens
PENTAX KAF2 bayonet
Compatible with PENTAX KAF2-, KAF- and KA- lens mounts. Support for KAF2 Power Zoom functions
(K-mount lenses “ with adapters “ M42 and medium format lenses are mechanically compatible. Due to the high resolution of camera and lack of electronic contacts on the lenses no general statement can be made regarding full compatibility of functions.)
Viewfinder
Built-in, non-interchangeable Pentamirror finder
Viewing area 96% with finder magnification of 0.85x (with 50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1m“1)
Bright non-interchangeable Natural Bright II focusing screen
Viewfinder indications below image area
Dioptre correction -2.5 dpt. “ +1.5 dpt.
Monitor
2.7 low-temperature polysilicon TFT Monitor with 230,000 dots, brightness adjustment and wide viewing angle (approx. 160°)
Image previewing with image preview switch (stop down button)
Image view after recording: Single image, double image, Histogram, recording data and Hot Spot Warning, 16x enlargement, Thumbnail index (4, 9 or 16), slide show, image rotation
Preview
Depth-of-field preview button for focus depth preview, digital preview
Image Formats
RAW (PEF, DNG), RAW + JPEG
JPEG (Exif 2.21), DCF
JPEG compression: JPEG Baseline in quality steps of Optimal, Better, Good
Memory
SD Card, SDHC Card
Focus
Autofocus system: TTL Phase Matching with 5 focussing points (SAFOX) with indication in finder
Operational range: (EV 1 EV 19)
AF Single with focus lock or continuous AF (as a function of the exposure program)
Focussing point selectable between automatic or manual choice, spot focussing
AF-Assist with built-in flash
Metering
16 segment TTL open aperture metering coupled with AF and lens information, switchable between Multi segment, Centre weighted and Spot metering.
Operational range: EV 1 EV 21
Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter
Shutter speeds: Automatic: 1/4,000 30sec. (stepless), Manual: 1/4,000 30sec. (in 0.5 EV steps) and Bulb
Flash sync: 1/180sec.
Green Mode, Programmed automatic (Hyperprogram), Sensitivity Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, ISO Automatic, Manual, long exposure
Picture Modes (automatic or manual): Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sport, Night portrait, Flash Off
Scene Modes: Night scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pets, Candle light, Museum
Exposure compensation: +/- 2EV (1/3 or 1/2 steps)
Auto bracketing: +/-0.5 EV, +/-1.0 EV, +/-1.5 EV in 0.5 EV steps, or +/-0.3 EV, +/-0.7 EV, +/-1.0 EV, in 0.3 EV steps
Exposure memory button
Flash
Built-in P-TTL automatic flash with automatic operation in poor lighting conditions
Manual on / manual off
Preflash for reduction of the Red Eye effect
Flash compensation (±2 EV)
GN 13 at ISO 100
Hotshoe on camera top for use of system flashes
High-Speed Wireless Synchronisation with appropriate PENTAX flashes
Coverage 28mm (equivalent in 35mm film format)
Power requirements
4x AA batteries (Lithium, Alkaline, Ni-MH)
Battery capacity: approx. 1,650 images or approx. 1000 images (50% with flash) or approx. 750 min. playback
AC adapter (optionally available)
Connections
USB 2.0 (High Speed)
AV (compatible with NTSC and PAL)
AC adapter (optionally available adapter)
Recording parameters
White Balance: Automatic or manual. Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Neon (W, N, D), Flash, manual balance, 3 selectable settings for Kelvin and Mired Value with fine adjust
Digital filters: BW, Sepia, Colour (18 options), Soft filter and Slim Filter, HDR (3 options)
Drive Modes: Single, Series (Hi/Low): 2.8fps. to 4 images in JPEG (Hi), 1.1fps to capacity of memory card (Low). 4 images in RAW (DNG). Auto Bracketing, Self-timer with 2sec. delay (mirror up lock) and 12sec. delay, IR Remote Control, series.
Special features
PENTAX developed opto/mechanical Shake Reduction (integrated in camera body). Adds approx. 4 stops to hand-held shots (for long exposures a tripod should be used).
3 step Dust Removal system:
1. Special coating of Low Pass Filter,
2. Vibration system to remove dust,
3. Adhesive strip to capture dust
Dust Alert: remaining persistent dust on the sensor is clearly located and the position is indicated on the monitor
Compatible with ultrasonic lenses
Camera internal file designation switchable between standard files or date
Extended exposure functions via eight Scenes Mode programs
Switchable between digital preview on the monitor or optical depth-of-field preview in viewfinder
23 individually adaptable camera functions
Metal chassis with fibre-reinforced plastic housing
Weather-proofed body construction with 60 seals protecting against dust and spray
World time for 72 cities in 28 time zones
Menu languages: English, French, German, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Thai, Japanese
Print Functions
PictBridge, DPOF (Digital Print Order Form), PRINT Image Matching III
 

Thanks Fengwei for the update.
Any idea what are the other specs for the K-M? The model nomenclature sounds like a Konica-Minolta! But at 10MP, it looks more like a K200D instead?
Also, any idea what is the DA L 18-55? They already had a new 18-55 II, so odd that they will launch a new "L" series. I suppose it has SDM?

Oddly, the 15mm is a little slow at F/4 for a wide angle lens ?
:)
 

Funny thing is, Pentax call these cheap dual kit lens as DA L, kinda like teasing Canon's L lenses :bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie:
 

Thanks Fengwei for the update.
Any idea what are the other specs for the K-M? The model nomenclature sounds like a Konica-Minolta! But at 10MP, it looks more like a K200D instead?
Also, any idea what is the DA L 18-55? They already had a new 18-55 II, so odd that they will launch a new "L" series. I suppose it has SDM?

Oddly, the 15mm is a little slow at F/4 for a wide angle lens ?
:)

The spec is pretty detailed, what else do you wanna know about the new cam? Why K-m? It's a mini version of the K series dSLR camera :D And yes, it does seem to be like a K200D w/ a smaller/lighter body, less weather-seal, only 5 AF point.

The two new "L" lenses don't have SDM suport, they are cheaper version of the DA1855 and DA50200.

15mm at F4 makes perfect sensor if you want a compact super wide angle on a dSLR camera. Pentax used to have an M20/4 which was one of the favorite wide angle lenses by most users. If you want faster? We got a DA14/2.8 :cool:
 

K-M look like is the smallest Pentax DSLR and smallest DSLR in the world with in-camera SR - 122.5mm x 91.5mm x 67.5 mm. Should pair well with those limited lenses as small and compact.

Guess the DA L 18-55 and DA L 50-200 might cost lower and maybe a plastic mount also.
 

Thanks Fengwei for the update.
Any idea what are the other specs for the K-M? The model nomenclature sounds like a Konica-Minolta! But at 10MP, it looks more like a K200D instead?


Nope not at all. Pentax came out with the original KM model way.......before Konica-Minolta merger. In fact I have it in front of me, on my desk, right now.

http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/bodies/K/KM.html

And the thing is built solid like a tank.


The 15mm F4 is a limited, perhaps another pancake model from Pentax? The limitation of the speed could be due to the size perhaps.

L= Limited?
And I really hope that the DAL 18-55 is a compact version as well.
 

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wonder how much the da 15 cost?
 

So, as guessed b4, the DA15 is pancake like, APS-C format lens.;)
 

the 1.4X SDM converter is what I need, turn my 50-135/2.8 to 70-200/4, haha.:bsmilie:
 

abit disappointed..i tot got advanced abit camera out....
 

The new K-m should give Canikon's entry level cameras a good fight, as long as its specs stand up well. And for new people to join our club! Wait till the official release to see how.

It should also be THE travel camera for the rest of us, especially with the pancakes lenses and for trekking/hiking/backpacking trips - oh wait, this describes me!
 

K-M look like is the smallest Pentax DSLR and smallest DSLR in the world with in-camera SR - 122.5mm x 91.5mm x 67.5 mm. Should pair well with those limited lenses as small and compact.

Guess the DA L 18-55 and DA L 50-200 might cost lower and maybe a plastic mount also.

The original 18-55 is already made of plastic mostly!:)
In anycase, if I was smart in marketing, the "L" series is probably yhe original 18-55 rebranded to differentiate from the 18-55 II.
Also, I hope the new K-M would have lesser features so that its cost will be attractive to first time buyers. For example, it can forego the weather sealing and SDM. In return, the price can be made to be cheapest amongst the entry level cameras, yet offering 10MP and a range of useful features for taking great shots. To me, a new entrant would be more focussed on this. A killer price would be $800 for the K-M including 18-55 lens. (retail, maybe OP will let it go at the usual discount);)
A little disappointed Pentax did not choose to introduce a shorter focal length. The 15mm seems a tad too close to the 18mm kit lens range even though it will have much less distortion. A 10mm f/3.2 limited would have been ideal!;p Myabe make it a pancake too :bsmilie:

btw, seems their road map is running out of road! Time to plan in some more delicious lenses for the future...?
 

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