Pentax Unveils Entry-level DSLR

September 23, 2008: Photokina 2008 has been chosen by Pentax for the first showing of its K-m entry-level DSLR.
Developed specifically for first-time digital SLR users and family photographers, the K-m sports a 23.5mm by 15.7mm CCD image sensor with a resolution of 10.2 megapixels (effective). Its PRIME (Pentax Real Image Engine) image processor supports burst speeds of approximately 3.5 frames per second (in the JPEG recording format). The K-m also comes with Pentax’s proprietary body-integral SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which claims to offer up to four f-stops of anti-shake compensation and works with almost all existing lenses.

The new entry-level Pentax K-m with the Pentax-DA L 18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL lens that will be offered with the camera.
The K-m also comes with a comprehensive sensor dust-removal system, which consists of an anti-static coating on the CCD image sensor surface (or low-pass filter) plus sensor-shift vibration. Dust that is shaken off the image sensor will fall onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of it returning to the image sensor surface. This DR system also offers a Dust Alert function, which allows the user to confirm the dust-adhesion status of the CCD in advance.
The K-m’s compact, lightweight body is based on a compact, lightweight and high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis. Reductions in size and weight have been achieved by downsizing the Shake Reduction mechanism and circuit boards, employing the latest high-density packaging technologies to assure most efficient positioning and layout of various parts and repositioning the battery compartment. The camera grip has also been redesigned to assure firm, comfortable hold of the camera body.
A re-designed control system positions most of buttons and levers on the camera’s grip side, making it easier for first-time DSLR users to operate the camera. In addition, the functions of each button or lever are instantly displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor with a single press of the Help button. Pentax’s five-point wide-area AF system (SAFOX VIII with five cross-type sensors) is included in the new camera, with a reviewed AF algorithm to improve focusing speed in low light situations. Users can choose between 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
The K-m’s auto sensitivity control function automatically sets the optimum sensitivity between ISO 100 and ISO 3200, based on such data as the subject’s brightness level and the focal length of the lens. A dynamic-range expansion function is provided to minimise the risk of blown-out highlights and ensure shadow detail is captured. Simultaneous recording of PEF.RAW and JPEG images is supported and raw files can be converted into JPEGs via in-camera processing. The K-m is supplied with Pentax Phto Laboratory 3 raw data converter and Pentax Photo Browser 3 software.
Ten pre-set Scene modes are provided, accessible with simple icon selection. The K-m also includes 14 built-in digital filters, which allow users to add creative and artistic touches to recorded images. The Pentax-developed Auto Picture mode is programmed to automatically select the most appropriate shooting mode from Portrait, Landscape and Macro scene types. In the new camera, this mode is further upgraded, with automatic detection of situations requiring the Night Scene Portrait mode. In this mode, all camera settings, including aperture, shutter speed, white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness, are automatically adjusted by the camera leaving the user to concentrate on image composition and shutter opportunity.
The K-m features a large 2.7-inch colour LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots and a wide viewing angle of approximately 170 degrees both vertically and horizontally. The lightweight penta-mirror viewfinder is fitted with a Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen and covers 96% of the sensor’s field of view while providing approximately 0.85x magnification.
Announced concurrently with the new camera are two new lenses, which will be offered with the camera when it goes on sale. The smc Pentax-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6AL lens is a compact standard zoom lens with focal lengths from 27.5mm to 84.5mm (in the 35mm format). It features a high-performance aspherical lens element and super-low dispersion glass element to compensate for various aberrations. The smc Pentax-DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6ED lens is an ultra-lightweight telephoto zoom lens with focal lengths from 76.5mm to 307mm (in the 35mm format). An ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical element provide effective compensation of chromatic aberrations over the entire zoom range and enhanced imaging performance.

The new smc Pentax-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6AL (left) and smc Pentax-DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6ED (right) lenses that will be offered with the K-m camera.
Details of local release dates and pricing have still to be finalised. For more information, visit www.crkennedy.com.au.

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