Ricoh Imaging has released details of its latest DSLR camera, the Pentax K-S1, which is designed for mid-level enthusiasts who want a mobile interface.

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Angled view of the new Pentax K-S1, showing the illuminated controls. (Source: Ricoh Imaging.)

The new camera features a futuristic design with a novel flat field user interface integrates a back-lit LED selection dial, four-way navigation and a bright 3-inch 921,000 dot monitor. The new interface eliminates many of the complexities of a DSLR and provides immediate feedback to users.  Illuminated displays include shooting parameters, filter selection and effect modes, making them visible even in total darkness. The camera’s power switch, mode dial, OK button and grip all feature LED illumination; each of which indicates the current status of camera operation.

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Front, back and top views of the K-S1. (Source: Ricoh Imaging.)

Other key parameters include a new 20-megapixel image sensor, ISO 51200 sensitivity, in-body shake reduction, an AA filter simulator, 100% field of view glass pentaprism viewfinder and 5.4 frames per second shooting at a fast 1/6000 shutter speed. The optional Flucard for PENTAX provides Wi-Fi support doe image transfer, wireless live view and Remote Capture control. Users can control camera settings with a smart-phone, tablet, or computer and save images directly to a mobile device.
The K-S1 will be offered in three standard colours: black, blue, and white. In addition, two separate colour collections are available; the Fabric Collection, containing four ‘fabric’ colours such as cotton beige and tweed gray ““ and the Night Sky Collection, with five options that include Sunset Orange, Dawn Purple and Midnight Black. The new camera is scheduled for release from September 2014 with the US MSRP price listed at US$799.95 for the camera plus 18-55 mm lens or US$749.96 for the camera body alone. Full product details can be found at http://www.us.ricoh-imaging.com/dslr/K-S1_Black.
SPECIFICATIONS (Sourced from Ricoh Imaging USA website):

Type

TTL autofocus, auto-exposure SLR digital-still camera with built-in retractable P-TTL flash

Sensor

Type: CMOS w primary colour filter  
Size: 23.5 x 15.6mm (APS-C)
Colour depth: 8 bits/channel JPG, 12 bits / channel RAW
Effective pixels: 20.12MP / Total pixels: 20.42 MP  
Dust Removal: SP coating and CMOS sensor operation
Pixel mapping: Yes

Lens

Type / construction: PENTAX KAF2 bayonet stainless steel mount
Usable lenses: KAF3, KAF2, KAF, KA mount lens (K mount, 35mm screw-mount, 645/67 medium
format lenses useable w adapter and/or restrictions)
SDM function: Yes
Power zoom function: n/a

Focus System

TTL: phase-matching autofocus, SAFOX IX i+, 11 point (9 cross type focus points in the center)
Sensitivity range: EV-1 to 18 (ISO 100 / at normal temperature)
Focus modes: Single AF (AF.S), Continuous AF (AF.C), Auto select AF (AF.A)  
Focus point adjustment: Auto: 5 points, Auto: 11 points, Select, Expanded Area Select, Spot  
AF assist: Yes. Dedicated LED AF assist light
Focus peaking: Yes  

Viewfinder

Type: Pentaprism
Coverage (field of view): approx. 100%
Magnification: 0.95X (w 50mm F1.4 at infinity)
Standard focusing screen: Natural-Bright-Matte III (interchangeable)
Diopter adjustment: -2.5m to +1.5m
Eye Relief: approx. 20.5mm (from viewfinder window), Approx 22.3mm (from the center of lens)
Depth of field preview: Optical (diaphragm stop-down), digital

LCD Monitor

Type: 3.0″ TFT colour LCD w brightness / saturation / colour adjustment
Resolution: 921,000 dots
Wide angle viewable: Yes

Flash

Type: Retractable P-TTL pop-up flash
Guide number: 10 (ISO 100/m)
Coverage: 28mm wide angle equivalent
Flash modes: Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction (Auto Picture, Scene) Flash
On, Flash On+ Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, Manual Flash
Discharge (Full-1/128)
Flash exposure compensation: -2 to +1 EV (1/3 steps)

External Flash

Type: Hotshoe (P-TTL), high speed sync and wireless w PENTAX dedicated flash
Synchronization speed: 1/180 sec

Storage Media

Removable memory: SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-1 compliant), Eye-Fi Card, FLU Card  
Internal memory: n/a

Interfaces

Ports: USB2.0 (micro B, high-speed compatible), HDMI output terminal (Type D)
USB Connection: MSC / PTP
Microphone: Built-in stereo microphone. Adjustable recording sound level.

Power Supply

Power source: Rechargeable Li-Ion battery D-LI109 (included)
Recordable images: approx. 480 (410 w 50% flash, CIPA),  
Playback time: approx. 270 min,  
Movie recording time: 25 min max time per clip
AC adapter available: Yes. K-AC128 (optional – sold separately)

Physical Specs

Body dimensions (W x H x D): 4.75″ x 3.65″ x 2.75″
Body weight
Without battery or removable memory: 17.6 oz
Loaded and ready: 19.7 oz  
Primary construction material(s): Reinforced polycarbonate over metal chassis
Operating temperature: 32-104 °F (0 to 40 °C)

Language Support

English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Russian Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese

Image Stabilization

Type: Sensor-shift SR w rotational compensation (3 stops avg CIPA, 4 stops max)

Metering System

TTL open aperture, 77 segmented metering  
Sensitivity range: EV 0 to 22 (ISO 100, 50mm F1.4)
Metering patterns (multi, center, spot): Multi 77, Center, Spot
Exposure compensation: +/- 5 EV (1/3 and 1/2 steps)
Exposure lock: Yes
Exposure bracketing: Yes. 3 frames, up to +/- 3 EV in 1/3 or 1/2 steps

ISO Sensitivity

Auto: 100-51200 (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps), auto range selectable

White Balance

Type: Image sensor detection w light wavelength sensor detection
AUTO WB, Multi Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D: Daylight Colour, N:
Daylight White, W: Cool White, L: Warm White), Tungsten Light, Flash, CTE, Manual WB, Colour
Temperature Configuration, Copying the white balance setting of a captured image
WB fine adjustment: +/- 7 steps A-B axis or G-M axis

Shutter

Type: Electronically controlled, vertical-run, focal plane shutter
Shutter speed: Auto: 1/6000 to 30 sec., Manual: 1/6000 to 30 sec. (1/3EV steps or 1/2EV steps),
Bulb.

Capture Modes

Mode selection: Program (P), Sensitivity Priority (Sv), Shutter Priority (Tv), Aperture Priority (Av), Shutter & Aperture Priority (TAv), Manual (M), Bulb (B), EFFECT, Scene (SCN), Auto Picture (AUTO), Movie
Auto Picture mode: (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest), Scene Mode: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR*, Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum *JPEG only  
EFFECT Mode: Faded Colour, Clear Tone, Brilliant Colour, Unicolour Bold, Vintage Colour, Cross Processing, Warm Fade, Tone Expansion, Bold Monochrome, Infrared Filter, Vibrant Colour Enhance
Custom Image modes: Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing
Green simplified mode available: yes
Face detection available: Yes
Date stamp: n/a
Digital filters (capture): Extract Colour, Replace Colour, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Colour, Unicolour Bold, Bold Monochrome
Dynamic range adjustment: Highlight, shadow
File/Folder customization: Folder name (standard, date), create new folder, embed copyright

Drive Modes

Still Image: Single frame, Continuous (H, L), Self-timer (12s, 2s), Remote Control (0 Sec., 3
sec.), Exposure Bracketing
Movie: Remote Control  
Continuous FPS
– Continuous Hi: approx. 5.4 FPS (20 JPG, 5 RAW)
– Continuous Lo: approx. 3.0 FPS (100 JPG, 8 RAW)
HDR: Auto, HDR1, HDR2, HDR3, Exposure Bracket Value adjustable +/- 1-3 EV (1/1 steps),
Automatic composition correction function  

Playback Modes

Mode selection: Single frame, multi-image display (6,12, 20, 35, 80 segmentation),  
Display magnification (up to 16x, Quick magnification available), Rotating, Histogram (Y
histogram, RGB histogram), Bright area warning, Detailed info., Copyright Information  
(Photographer, Copyright holder), Folder Display, Calendar Filmstrip Display, Slide Show, GPS information (Latitude, Longitude, Altitude, Time (UTC)
Mode pallet: Image Rotation, Digital Filter, Colour Moire’ Correction, Resize, Cropping, Protect,
Slideshow, Save as Manual WB, Save Cross Processing, RAW Development, Movie Edit, Eye
Fi image transfer  
Digital filters (playback): Base Parameter Adj, Extract Colour, Replace Colour, Toy Camera, Retro,
High Contrast, Shading, Invert Colour, Unicolour Bold, Bold Monochrome, Tone Expansion,
Sketch, Water Colour, Pastel, Posterization, Miniature, Soft, Starburst, Fish-eye, Slim,
Monochrome

File Formats

RAW (PEF/DNG), JPEG (Exif 2.30), DCF2.0 compliant

Custom Functions

Functions available: 26

Computer Requirements

WINDOWS: Windows 8.1 (32 bit/64 bit) / Windows 8 (32 bit/64 bit) / Windows 7 (32 bit/64 bit) / Windows Vista (32 bit/64 bit)
MacIntosh: Mac OS X 10.9 / 10.8 / 10.7 / 10.6