Pentax
Pentax K-1 Mark II
The Pentax K-1 Mark II full-frame DSLR is an updated version of the original K-1, delivering even higher image quality and enhanced performance, becoming the new flagship model in the process.
The Mark II uses the same full-frame Anti-aliasing (AA)-filterless CMOS sensor with 36.4 effective megapixels as its predecessor model. However, a new accelerator unit has been added, along with the camera’s PRIME IV image processor, enables the new model to produce high-resolution images with minimal noise, suggest Ricoh, up to ISO 819200.
The camera also incorporates Pixel Shift Resolution System II. This new technology uses the same in-camera shake-reduction (SR) mechanism and sensor-shift capabilities as the original Pixel Shift Resolution System found in the K-1, which captures four images of the same scene, and then synthesizes them into a single, super-high-resolution composite image.
A new feature in the Pixel Shift Resolution System II is Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution mode. This, suggests Ricoh, allows photographers to produce crisp, ultra-high pixel shift resolution images without the need of a tripod.
The Pentax K-1 Mark II camera body will be available in April. The camera body plus HD Pentax-D FA 28-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR will also be available.
Pentax KP
This is an ultra-compact and highly portable DSLR packing many of the capabilities of the K-3 series into a modern, slim body. The KP also adds a highly sensitive APS-C CMOS sensor and is the first Pentax APS-C camera to incorporate Shake Reduction II (SR II), which features a five-axis mechanism to compensate for camera shake up to 5 steps.
The new 24-megapixel CMOS sensor offers sensitivity to ISO 819200 and the camera features an electronic shutter option in live-view to enable high-speed shooting up to 1/24,000-second.
The company says the compact body is the result of a complete internal redesign. The KP’s rugged exterior is dustproof and weather-sealed, and the camera will perform in temperatures as low as -10 C (14 F).
The new generation SR II system uses a five-axis mechanism to compensate for camera shake caused by horizontal and vertical shift, roll, as well as pitch and yaw.
With the addition of an optional accessory GPS module, the KP makes it possible to record stars as points of light rather than star trails during extremely long exposures.
Pixel Shift Resolution enables producing colour-accurate still-life subjects with the highest resolving power. The technology uses the KP’s in-body Shake Reduction System to move the image sensor in single-pixel increments, to capture four separate images that are subsequently combined into a single, high-definition image.
A vertical tilt LCD monitor facilitates high- and low-angle shooting.
A grip replacement system lets photographers choose their preference of grip based on shooting style or lens choice. In addition to the standard grip that comes with the camera, accessory grips medium (M) and large (L) will come packaged with KP bodies sold in North America. There’s also an optional D-BG7 Battery Grip.
Control panels, button settings and dial controls can all be customized, based on a user’s preference.
The PENTAX KP will be available in late February.
Pentax 55-300 mm lens
The HD Pentax-DA 55-300 mm f/4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE lens is designed for use with K-mount DSLRs. The weather-resistant zoom lens provides enhanced autofocus (AF) and outstanding optical performance in a compact and lightweight package, says the company.
The lens provides an effective focal length range of 84.5-460 mm when mounted on an APS-C format camera. Its design enables quiet, high-speed AF operation in still-image shooting, as well as smooth and quiet AF tracking operation during video recording, with minimal mechanical noise created by focus and aperture shifts, notes Pentax.
Coated optics are said to deliver sharp, bright, high-contrast images free of flare and ghosting.
Closest focus is 0.95 m (37.4 inches).
With a fully retractable design, the lens measures 89 mm (3.5 inches) long when retracted, and weighs less than 442 g (1.0 lb).
The lens is fully weather-sealed.
With the adoption of a rear-focus system, the lens is almost 10 percent lighter than the previous model. By driving this focusing lens using a pulse motor (PLM), which is directly linked to a lead screw, this zoom lens also operates faster – approximately 8.3 times at its wide-angle end and approximately 1.7 times at its telephoto end – and quieter than its predecessor. When mounted on the new K-70 body, it assures smoother, faster AF operation with dimly lit subjects, says Pentax, thanks to an improved AF algorithm that exchanges AF data between the camera body and the lens with greater precision. Operability of its power-assisted focus system during manual-focus operation has also been improved. The company notes its distance ring is designed to accurately detect the angle of rotation and swiftly react to a change of angle, therefore this zoom lens can shift its focusing lens smoothly in response to distance ring operation.
The company also notes this is the first K-mount lens to feature an electromagnetic diaphragm control system to assure smooth, high-precision aperture control during video recording. This system shifts the aperture setting automatically and smoothly to result in more natural, true-to-life videos, even when the brightness level of the subject changes drastically, such as a live theatre performance or a sunlight- streaked forest scene, or with active subjects such as athletes and animals. Coupled with the PLM mechanism, the system also assures smooth AF tracking operation and exposure control, while minimizing the intrusion of focus- and aperture-shift noises during video recording, says Pentax.
The lens features 14-elements in 11 groups, including an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) optical element to effectively minimize spherical and chromatic aberrations, while delivering high-resolution, finely detailed images with rich contrast from the image’s centre to its edges and minimal colour bleeding at any focal length setting.
Availability of the HD Pentax-DA 55-300 mm f/4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE lens is scheduled to be announced in July.
Pentax K-70
The Pentax K-70 DSLR is described by the company as being designed for the great outdoors because of its weather resistance. The compact, dustproof camera, capable of working in temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F), incorporates a number of features which have previously only been available on top-of-the-line Pentax models.
A newly-developed image accelerator unit provides a top sensitivity of ISO 102,400, and a new Hybrid Autofocus (AF) system integrates both image-plane phase-matching and contrast-detection autofocus technologies, delivering speedy and accurate autofocus while also providing continuous auto focus for HD video recording.
Pixel Shift Resolution System produces high-resolution, finely detailed images, notes Pentax. An AA Filter Simulator effectively eliminates moiré without the need for an anti-aliasing filter.
The camera also offers a variable-tilt LCD monitor and an in-body shake-reduction mechanism that reduces the effects of camera shake up to 4.5 shutter steps.
The K-70 also incorporates built-in Wi-Fi for remote shooting and easy transfer to smart devices using Ricoh’s dedicated Image Sync app.
There’s a newly-designed grip, and the mode dial and control buttons on the camera’s top and back panels are designed to be easy and intuitive to operate, even with a gloved hand. The camera also sports an “outdoor-friendly” LCD monitor with an illumination control that can be instantly adjusted to the lighting level of any shooting location. The K-70 also has a red-lighted monitor display function which keeps ambient light from interfering with astrophotography.
The camera features a CMOS image sensor with approximately 24.24 effective megapixels to assure high-speed 14-bit image data readout.
The Safox X AF sensor module has 11 sensors including nine cross-type sensors in the middle, and is said to work in light levels as low as -3 EV. By revising the timing of the AF sensor’s start-up action, the speed of autofocus response has been improved, especially at low-illumination levels. Also, by improving the algorithm for moving objects, the focusing accuracy in the AF-C mode has been enhanced. The K-70 is said to assure outstanding AF tracking performance with subjects on the move, thanks to the Select-area Expansion function, which automatically refocuses on a moving subject after it moves away from the initial point, with the help of the neighbouring points; and an AF Hold function that maintains the initial in-focus point even when the module loses sight of the subject.
The K-70 features the Pixel Shift Resolution System. This captures four images of the same scene by shifting the image sensor by a single pixel for each image, then synthesizes them into a single composite image. Compared to the conventional Bayer system, in which each pixel has only a single colour data unit, this system obtains all colour data in each pixel to deliver super-high-resolution images with far more truthful colours and much finer details than those produced by conventional APS-C-size image sensors, says Pentax. This system even provides a motion correction function which automatically detects a moving object during continuous shooting and minimizes negative effects during the synthesizing process, to accommodate a wider range of scenes and subjects.
Since the K-70’s SR unit has a flexible design that tilts the image sensor unit in all directions, it provides a host of handy shooting functions, including Astro Tracer, which simplifies advanced astronomical photography in combination with an optional O-GPS1 GPS Unit.
The K-70 incorporates a glass prism finder featuring the same optics and coatings as those used in higher-level models, delivering a nearly 100 percent field of view and a magnification of approximately 0.95 times.
Top shutter speed is 1/6000 second, and high-speed continuous shooting function delivers a top speed of approximately 6 frames per second.
The camera captures Full HD movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels; 60i/3p frame rate) in the H.264 recording format, and records lively stereo sound using a built-in stereo microphone. In combination with compatible lenses, it allows the use of the Continuous AF (AF-C) mode to keep accurate focus on a moving subject, or take advantage of a new aperture control function to automatically assure a proper exposure level even in fluctuating lighting conditions during movie recording. It also provides a host of distinctive visual effects for movie production, including the 4K Interval Movie mode that connects a series of 4K-resolution still images at a fixed interval to create a single movie file, and a Star Stream mode to fade in and out the traces of stars to recorded movies.
The K-70 allows a choice of menu items and the order of their listing displayed on the control panel, so the user can confirm or change the listed functions and their current settings at a glance. The user can also assign one of the seven functions to each of two Fx (Function) buttons. The camera also provides three User modes, to which the user can assign desired camera settings depending on subject types or creative intentions. Three settings (Clear Tone, HDR Landscape and Astrophoto) are preprogrammed in the camera as default.
The camera provides wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) functions to support operations using smartphones and tablet computers.
Pentax says it will announce availability of the K-70 next month, and it will be available in black and silky silver finishes.
Pentax K-1
After much speculation, rumours and out-and-out teasing, Ricoh has finally lifted the veil on the Pentax K-1, a full frame DSLR. The camera does not have an AA filter. It does have a CMOS sensor with 36.4-effective-megapixels.
The camera has a compact, high-performance weather-sealed and dustproof body.
SR II Shake Reduction is a newly refined and highly sensitive five-axis shake-reduction system, says the company, one that is capable of reducing camera shake with a compensation range of up to five exposure steps. SR II also facilitates an AA Filter Simulator, which effectively eliminates moiré effect without the need for an anti-aliasing filter, while increasing sharpness and overall image quality.
Tthe new SAFOX 12 autofocus mechanism features 33 autofocus points.
A newly-designed optical viewfinder boasts a bright, nearly 100 percent field of view.
A new Flexible-tilt LCD monitor can be positioned to the desired angle horizontally and vertically – 35 degrees of horizontal and 44 degrees of vertical adjustment can be achieved; the LCD panel can even be laid flat up or down.
Operation Assist Lights are small, white LEDs that facilitate camera operation in low-light environments, making it easy to change lenses, swap memory cards and adjust back-of-camera controls. A Smart Function dial allows photographers to easy select frequently-used functions without going into the LCD menu.
Current Pentax lens owners will appreciate that they can incorporate their APS-C lens collection into their new K-1 full-frame camera kit by utilizing the K-1’s Crop Mode, which offers settings in-camera for either APS-C or Full-Frame sized shooting, regardless of the attached lens. There is also an “auto” mode that detects the lens type and sets the camera accordingly.
Upon launch, Pentax is offering 12 full-frame compatible lenses, including two new models being announced concurrent with the K-1 camera: the HD Pentax-D FA 15-30 mm f/2.8 ultra-wide angle zoom lens and the HD Pentax-D FA 28-105 mm f/3.5-5.6 compact, lightweight zoom lens.
The new PRIME IV imaging engine is capable of 14-bit RAW-format image recording and helps deliver shooting up to ISO 204800.
The Pixel Shift Resolution System captures four images of the same scene by shifting the image sensor by a single pixel for each image, then synthesizes them into a single composite image. Compared to the conventional Bayer system, in which each pixel has only a single colour data unit, this innovative system obtains all colour data within each pixel. It incorporates a new motion correction function, which automatically detects a moving object during continuous shooting.
Since the K-1’s SR II unit has a flexible design that tilts the image sensor unit in all directions, it provides a host of handy shooting functions, including auto level compensation, image-composition fine-adjustment, and AstroTracer, which simplifies advanced astronomical photography using a built-in GPS module.
The 3.2-inch LCD monitor features a tempered-glass front panel for added durability, a unique air-gapless construction effectively reduces reflection, and a new Outdoor View Setting mode allows the user to instantly choose the desired monitor brightness level.
The SAFOX 12 AF sensor module features 33 AF sensors (25 cross-type sensors positioned in the middle). The centre sensor and the two sensors located just above and below it are designed to detect the light flux of an f/2.8 lens, which the company says makes it easy to obtain pinpoint focus on a subject when using a large-aperture lens.
The K-1’s Real-Time Scene Analysis System performs near-instant analysis of exposure, colour, movement and other factors. Combined with a breakthrough artificial intelligence technology called deep learning, Ricoh says the K-1 instantly optimizes settings for even the most difficult shooting situations.
Newly developed for its full-frame design, the K-1’s optical viewfinder provides a nearly 100-percent field of view and an approximately 0.7-times magnification. A Natural Bright Matt III focusing screen allows ease of focusing and a true-to-life rendition of defocused areas in the viewfinder image.
The K-1 has a larger shutter unit that easily accommodates the camera’s full-frame image sensor and provides high-speed, high-accuracy control of the mirror unit. A high-speed data transmission system incorporated in the imaging engine allows the user to continuously record as many as 17 images in the RAW format (or a maximum of 70 images in the JPEG Best format) in a single sequence, at a top speed of approximately 4.4 images per second.
Other features:
• key lock function, which prevents erroneous operation of the four-way controller and other exposure-related control buttons;
• smart function, which allows the user to swiftly choose and set desired functions using just the function dial and the set dial on the camera’s upper panel, without referring to the menu screen on the LCD monitor;
• control panel customize function allows the user to change aspects of the on-screen menu.
• Wi-Fi operation allowing camera control and image transfer to tablet or smartphone via the free ImageSync app;
• Full HD movie recording at 1920 x 1080 pixels in the H.264 recording format;
• built-in GPS module and electronic compass;
• DR II (Dust Removal II) mechanism for effective elimination of dust on the image sensor using ultrasonic vibration;
• Crop mode with a choice of image area from AUTO, FF (Full Frame) and APS-C, to accommodate different types of lenses;
• Clarity control and Skin Tone correction functions;
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) shooting mode with RAW-format data filing, usable in handheld shooting
• Dual SD card slots for memory card flexibility (SDXC UHS-1)
• compensation of lens distortion, lateral chromatic aberration, diffraction, and brightness level at image-field edges, and fringe effect compensation is also available in RAW-format processing;
• compatibility with Image Transmitter 2 tethering software (software update required);
• Digital Camera Utility 5 software included.
The D-BG6 Battery Grip is an optional accessory, designed to facilitate vertical-position shooting with the K-1. It provides a shutter release button, a set of control buttons (AE lock, AF, ISO, exposure compensation, green), a preview lever, and dual electronic dials. It also features dustproof, weather-resistant construction. In addition to the dedicated lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, it also accepts six AA-size batteries.
Constructed of sturdy yet lightweight magnesium alloy with the inclusion of 87 sealing parts in the body, the K-1 also boasts a dustproof, weather-resistant and cold-resistant construction.
The Pentax K-1 camera will be available in April.
Pentax 24-70 mm lens
A new Pentax 24-70 mm K-mount lens should be arriving at your favourite retailer’s store next month. The HD Pentax-D FA 24-70 mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR lens, as it is officially known, offers a weather-resistant design and constant maximum aperture.
The new lens is compatible with full-frame, 35 mm image sensors, making it usable with both current and future-model Pentax DSLRs. [Interestingly, the company has teased the arrival of a new full-frame model next spring.]
With current K-series APS-C bodies, the lens effectively covers the 37-107 mm range.
By incorporating three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) optical elements and four aspherical optical elements, the lens assures sufficient light levels even at the edges of the image field, and compensates for various aberrations to deliver fine-detailed images, rich in contrast and resolution, says the company. All elements are treated with a high-grade, multi-layer High-Definition (HD) coating that enables higher light transmittance and less reflection than conventional multi-layer coatings, providing high-contrast images free of flare and ghost images, even under demanding lighting conditions such as backlight.
Weather-resistant construction with customized seals effectively prevents water intrusion into the lens interior. When paired with a weather-resistant Pentax DSLR camera body, it is said to withstand rain, mist or snow, as well as splashed water and spray.
Other noteworthy features include a built-in Supersonic Direct-drive Motor (SDM) that provides quiet, high-speed autofocus (AF) operation; the Quick-Shift Focus system, which allows the user to instantly switch to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system for fine tuning; and a zoom lock lever to prevent the accidental extension of the lens barrel when pointed downwards.
Pentax K-3 II
Developed as the successor to the K-3, the K-3 II shares its predecessor’s magnesium alloy casing, metal chassis, 24.35-megapixel (effective) resolution, 27-point AF system and approximately 8.3 frames per second shooting while adding an improved 4.5EV stop shake reduction system, new high-speed AF algorithm, GPS, gyro sensor panning detection and automatic horizon correction.
The K-3 II is the first camera in the line to incorporate Pixel Shift Resolution for capturing still life subjects with ultra-high resolving power. Pixel shift technology uses the camera’s in-body Shake Reduction mechanism to move the image sensor at single pixel increments, capture 4 separate images, which are subsequently combined into a single high definition image. Benefits include higher resolving power, reduced false colour and improved overall image quality of non-moving subjects.
Building on the K-3’s rugged dust proof and weather-resistant construction, the K-3 II features a built-in GPS receiver, GPS log and electronic compass purpose-designed to stand up to demanding location work. The GPS system records shooting location, camera orientation, altitude, and provides a date/time stamp tied specifically to your images – all of which can be transferred to a computer and mapped using services such as Google Earth.
By combining the power of GPS positioning with in-body shake reduction mechanism, the K-3 II’s built in Astrotracer features tracks and photographs astronomical bodies such as stars and planets. The system uses GPS and orientation location data together with magnetic and acceleration sensors to calculate the motion needed to synchronize the CMOS sensor with the movement of the stars; making it possible to capture stars as points of light rather than star trails during long exposures.
The K-3 II combines an APS-C-size CMOS image sensor without an anti-aliasing filter and the PRIME III imaging engine – identical to the one installed in the Pentax 645Z medium-format DSLR camera – to optimize imaging and to deliver sharp, fine-gradation images. It also effectively minimizes noise generated at higher sensitivities, allowing high-grade, high-sensitivity shooting even at the top sensitivity of ISO 51200.
The camera’s SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism can be used with any compatible Pentax interchangeable lens. Thanks to a new, high-precision gyro sensor, says the company, this mechanism assures more stable, effective camera-shake compensation than ever before.
Pixel Shift Resolution captures 4 images of the same scene by shifting the image sensor by a single pixel for each image, then synthesizes them into a single composite image. Compared to the conventional Bayer system, in which each pixel has only a single unit of colour data, this system obtains all colour data in each pixel. Ricoh, Pentax’s owner, says this system delivers super-high-resolution images with far more truthful colour reproduction and much finer details, while significantly lowering the level of high-sensitivity noise. Recorded images can also be synthesized, either on a computer using the accompanying utility software, or with the camera’s in-body RAW-data development function.
By applying microscopic vibrations to the image sensor unit at the sub-pixel level during image exposure, the K-3 II’s AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator provides the same level of moiré reduction as an optical AA filter. Unlike an optical filter, which always creates the identical result, this innovative simulator lets the user not only switch the anti-aliasing filter effect on and off, but also adjust the level of the effect. This means that the ideal effect can be set for a particular scene or subject.
The K-3 II’s SR unit has a flexible design that tilts the image sensor unit in all directions. The company says this is one reason why the K-3 II can provide a host of handy shooting functions, including auto level compensation; image-composition fine-adjustment; and Astrotracer.
The camera features the SAFOX 11 AF sensor module with an expanded image-field coverage using 27 AF sensors (25 cross-type sensors positioned in the middle). The centre sensor and the two sensors just above and below it are designed to detect the light flux of an f/2.8 lens, making it easy to obtain pinpoint focus on a subject when using a large-aperture lens. Thanks to the combination of a state-of-the-art AF algorithm and the Real-Time Scene Analysis System, this AF system assures much improved AF tracking performance in the AF Continuous mode, while providing an extra-wide measurable luminance range (–3EV to +18EV), notes the company.
The Real-Time Scene Analysis System is supported by an approximately 86,000-pixel RGB metering sensor. This system is designed to optimize the camera’s overall performance, not only by controlling exposure with great accuracy, but also by utilizing the data obtained by the light-metering sensor to further enhance the accuracy of autofocusing and white-balance adjustment. It has also expanded the measurable luminance level to as low as –3EV. By detecting the type of scene or subject using the RGB metering sensor, the K-3 II selects the exposure settings that are more consistent with the photographer’s creative intentions.
The K-3 II continuously records as many as 23 images in the RAW format, or 60 images in the JPEG format, in a single sequence. This has been made possible through the use of several innovative developments, explains Ricoh, including: a high-speed, highly accurate control mechanism that regulates the shutter, mirror and diaphragm independently; a damper mechanism that effectively minimizes mirror shock; and a high-speed data transmission system incorporated in the PRIME III imaging engine.
The K-3 II’s glass prism has been treated with a coating that is designed to improve reflectance for a much brighter viewfinder image. With a magnification of approximately 0.95 times, its viewfinder provides a broad, bright image field for easy focusing and framing.
The camera captures Full HD movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels; 60i/30p frame rate) in the H.264 recording format. It also comes equipped with a stereo mic terminal for external microphone connection and a headphone terminal. The user can even adjust the audio recording level manually and monitor sound levels during microphone recording. In addition to a host of visual effects available for movie recording, the K-3 II also provides the interval movie mode, which captures a series of 4K-resolution movie clips at a fixed interval.
Thanks to its built-in GPS module, the K-3 II provides a variety of advanced GPS functions, including the recording of location, latitude, longitude, altitude and UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) and direction at the time of shooting. The user can easily access images containing GPS data using a computer, to browse them, check on shooting locations and position data on the screen, or save them. The user can also take advantage of some unique tools, including: GPS log, which keeps track of the photographer’s movement; Electronic Compass, which displays the camera’s direction on the camera’s LCD monitor; and Astrotracer.
The K-3 II features a 3.2-inch high-resolution LCD monitor with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The monitor also has a protective tempered-glass front panel for added durability, and a unique air-gapless construction in which the air space between LCD layers is eliminated to effectively reduce the reflection and dispersion of light for improved visibility during outdoor shooting.
The camera’s exterior casing (top and bottom panels and front and back frames) is made of sturdy, lightweight magnesium alloy. Thanks to the inclusion of 92 sealing parts in the body, it boasts a dustproof, weather-resistant and cold-resistant construction, assuring solid operation at temperatures as low as –10°C. It also features a dependable, durable shutter unit that withstands 200,000 shutter releases.
Other features include dual SD card slots; smartphone-support functions; HDR (High Dynamic Range) shooting mode with RAW-format data filing; compensation of various parameters (lens distortion, lateral chromatic aberration, diffraction, brightness level at image-field edges, and fringe effect – the latter available in RAW-format processing only.
The Pentax K-3 II will be available in May for a suggested retail price of $1,249.99.
Pentax K-S2
The Pentax K-S2 features a 20-megapixel CMOS sensor without AA filter, tied to the Prime MII processor, as well as a weather-resistant body, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC sharing. The camera is kitted with a newly designed retractable standard zoom lens.
This is claimed to be the world’s smallest dustproof, weather-resistant body, with 100 seals applied to crucial parts of the body to prevent the intrusion of rain and dust into the interior.
The K-S2 combines a compact and lightweight body with in-body shake reduction, as well as SAFOX X AF system to ensure fast and accurate autofocusing. With its 11 sensors including 9 cross-type sensors in the middle, this AF system is said to assure pinpoint focus on a subject at a minimum brightness level of as low as –3 EV. Its select-area expansion function ensures that the sensor module keeps tracking a moving subject, even when the subject moves out of a preassigned auto-tracking area, by assessing the distance data collected by neighbouring focus sensors. Its AF hold function maintains the in-focus position, even when the AF system loses track of the subject after once capturing it in focus.
The vari-angle 3.0-inch LCD features Air Gapless Construction (a special resin layer is applied between the protective panel and the LCD screen to effectively cut down the reflection and dispersion of light and assure excellent visibility).
With the all-new Self Shot Assist users can capture the perfect “selfie,” aided by the vari-angle LCD monitor and second shutter release button assist.
Along with the dedicated app, “Image Sync”, available for no additional cost in the Android and iOS stores, you can seamlessly remotely operate the camera, transfer images and share images from your camera to your favourite social networks. Connecting your camera to your smartphone or tablet is made simple with built-in Near Field Communication (NFC) and the touch of a button to easily connect.
The Clarity Enhancement feature, introduced with the K-S2, adds more realistic texture impression to imagery. This technology covers broader and more gradual tone changes of the subject since it was originally developed to reproduce the images that best match the whole screen on a display device. Clarity Enhancement is applied automatically on Advanced HDR and also user selectable for most still images on the setting menu.
Pentax touts its AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator. By applying microscopic vibrations to the image sensor unit at the sub-pixel level during image exposure, the K-S2’s AA filter simulator provides the same level of moiré-reduction effect as an optical AA filter. Unlike an optical AA filter, which always creates the identical result, this simulator lets you not only switch the AA filter effect on and off, but also adjusts the level of the effect, so the user can effortlessly apply the desired effect to a particular scene or subject.
The K-S2’s SR unit has a flexible design that tilts the image sensor unit in all direction, by shifting it horizontally (left/right) and vertically (up/down), and even rotating it. Taking advantage of this flexibility, the K-S2 provides a host of handy shooting functions, including Astro Tracer, which simplifies advanced astronomical photography in combination with the optional O-GPS1 GPS Unit.
The K-S2 provides a pair of electronic dials: one on top of the grip, and another on the back panel. In the P (Program) mode shooting, for instance, the user can control the aperture and shutter-speed settings independently using these dials, allowing more intuitive camera operation without the need to remove the eye from the viewfinder.
Equipped with a built-in stereo microphone, the K-S2 captures Full HD movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels; 30/25/24 frame rate) in the H.264 recording format, along with natural, lively stereo sound. It even provides advanced movie functions, such as a 4K Interval Movie mode that connects still images recorded at a certain interval to create a single movie file, and a Star Stream mode to fade in and out the traces of stars to recorded movies.
Included in the K-S2 kit is the smc Pentax-DA L 18-50 mm f/4-5.6 DC WR RE lens.
The K-S2 will be available in three standard colours: black, white, and graphite with an orange accent. But there’s also a colour order service, providing users with a fashionable way of expressing their individual style and personal taste. Thisincludes a choice of seven colour options in two outdoor-themed collections: three in the Nature Collection; Forest Green, Desert Beige, and Stone Gray as well as four in the Sports Collection: White and Lime, Black and Pink, White with a Racing Stripe, and Black with a Racing Stripe.
The Pentax K-S2 kit including the new retractable standard zoom lens will be available in standard colours in March for a suggested retail price of $899.99. Colour collections will be available in April.
Two Pentax lenses
Two new HD Pentax D FA lenses have been announced, both designed for use with current K-mount DSLRs and “future Pentax sensor technology.”
The lenses feature a high-grade HD coating which is said to help produce extra-sharp, high-contrast images, minimizing flare and ghosting, even under demanding lighting conditions such as in backlight situations.
The HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200 mm f/2.8ED DC AW has a new optical design in the Star (*) series, which claim the highest image quality of all Pentax interchangeable lenses. In addition to the HD coating, this lens features Aero Bright Coating II, assuring exceptionally low reflectance, says the company.
The lens is the equivalent of 107-307 mm in full-frame format. Interestingly, its image circle is optimized to cover full-frame, which ties in nicely to Ricoh’s announcement that it is working on a full-frame camera.
In addition to four super-low dispersion glass elements and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements, its optics includes a pair of new Super ED glass elements to effectively compensate chromatic aberration over the entire zoom range and deliver crisp, high-resolution images with edge-to-edge sharpness.
This zoom lens is treated with the newly developed Aero Bright Coating II, a lens-coating nanotechnology that employs a super-low refractive film fabrication process to assure light reflectance lower than that of the conventional Aero Bright Coating. By coupling this advanced lens coating with the high-grade, multi-layer HD Coating that reduces an average reflectance in a visible ray spectrum to less than 50 percent of conventional multi-layer coatings, this lens effectively reduces flare and ghost images to a minimum even under demanding lighting conditions such as backlight.
The company says the ED and Super ED elements have optical properties similar to fluorite and assure lower light dispersion and more effective compensation of chromatic aberration.
The lens’ dustproof, weather-resistant body also makes it extremely dependable and durable in demanding outdoor conditions.
The new lens offers fast yet quiet internal focusing, and an AF limiter switch which improves autofocus response time.
The lens is equipped with the Quick-Shift Focus System, which allows the user to instantly switch to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system. To improve its operability, a three-position switch is newly installed on this lens, allowing instant switching among QFS/A, QFS/M and MF modes. QFS/A is an autofocus-priority mode which allows the user to switch to manual-focusing operation only when autofocus operation is completed. QFS/M is a manual-focus-priority mode which enables the user to switch to manual focusing at any time, even when the AF system is in operation. MF mode allows the user to instantly switch to manual focusing with a simple twist of the focus ring on the lens.
The HD Pentax-D FA 150-450 mm f/4.5-5.6ED DC AW also incorporates three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and a super-low dispersion glass element to effectively compensate chromatic aberration. The weather-resistance body protects the inside of the body from both dust and moisture.
When mounted on a K-mount body, this lens covers the equivalent of 230-690 mm. As with the 70-200 mm lens noted above, Ricoh says the image circle of the lens covers the full-frame sensor size, handy for the new full-frame camera expected late this year.
This lens is treated with the high-grade, multi-layer HD Coating. Compared with conventional multi-layer coatings, this coating assures higher light transmittance and less reflection to deliver bright, high-contrast images free of flare and ghost images, even under demanding lighting conditions such as backlight, says the company.
The lens also is equipped with the Quick-Shift Focus System.
To provide more stable AF operation and better hold of the lens regardless of the camera’s orientation – horizontal or vertical – this lens provides four AF buttons on its barrel, one at every 90 degrees. (The K-3 is currently the only model to accommodate the AF button functions. To activate these functions, the camera’s firmware must be updated to the latest version.) The user can assign preferred settings to these AF buttons, including: a Focus Preset mode to pre-program the focus position and instantly shift the focus to that position; and an AF Cancel mode to intentionally fix the focus at a desired point during Continuous AF operation.
The lens also features a focus range limiter to minimize AF operation time by fixing the focus range to one of three sub-ranges; SP (Super Protect) coating to keep the front surface free of dust and stains; a zoom lock lever to prevent the lens barrel from free-falling; and a detachable tripod mounting with a newly designed anti-falling mechanism.
The HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200 mm f/2.8ED DC AW will be available in March with the suggested retail price of $2,499.99; the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450 mm f/4.5-5.6ED DC AW will also be available in March for a suggested retail price of $2,749.99.
Pentax 16-85 mm lens
The HD Pentax-DA 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR lens is designed for use with K-mount DSLRs and provides an approximately 5.3X range equivalent to 24.5-130 mm.
This new lens features HD coating, which Ricoh says delivers sharp, clear images reducing the occurrence of flare and ghosting, even under challenging lighting conditions such as backlight. Its weather-resistant construction with 11 seals makes it “remarkably dependable,” preventing water from getting into the lens interior.
The lens has 16 optical elements in 12 groups and features an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) optical element to compensate for chromatic aberrations, and aspherical optical elements to minimize colour bleeding.
It also has smooth, quiet autofocus operation driven by a built-in DC motor.
The HD Pentax-DA 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6ED DC WR lens will be available in November for a suggested retail price of $799.99.
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