Ricoh unveils Pentax K-S2 and retractable 18-50mm lens

 Front view of the new Pentax K-S2 (black version) with smc Pentax-DA L 18-50mm f/4-5.6 DC WR RE weather-resistant zoom lens.(Source: Ricoh Imaging.)

Claimed as the smallest ‘weatherproof’ DSLR currently available, the K-S2 is the first Pentax DSLR with Wi-Fi and NFC and the first with a variable-angle  LCD monitor  that can be rotated for shooting selfies. This 3-inch screen has a resolution of 921,000 dots and Air Gapless LCD construction for better visibility outdoors. The 20-megapixel AA Filter-less CMOS sensor and Prime MII imaging engine produce the ideal balance between resolution and image quality and support sensitivities up to ISO 51200. Choose the Advanced HDR Mode (A-HDR) on the mode dial and a new clarity enhancement option adds more realistic texture to images by enhancing the spatial frequencies to match with human visual characteristics.  
 

 Top view of the K-S2 (white version) with the new kit lens. (Source: Ricoh Imaging.)
 The K-S2 comes with a glass prism finder with 100% field of view and approximately 0.95-times magnification (with a 50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity) to cover the entire field of view for easy focusing and framing. The SAFOX X AF module ensures fast and accurate autofocusing, even in low light environments.   Equipped with 11 focusing points (9 cross-sensor points),   the centre point is effective at f/2.8, while expanded area AF allows accurate focusing on moving subjects.
 

 Rear view of the K-S2 in white. (Source: Ricoh Imaging.)

Dual electronic dials (E-Dials) enable simultaneous adjustment of aperture and shutter speed settings, while  high-speed continuous shooting   is available at up to 5.4 frames per second. The K-S2 provides a top shutter speed of 1/6000 second and includes Multi-exposure, Interval shooting and Interval composite capture modes.

The Pentax-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism minimises camera shake and assures sharp, blur-free images, even with longer lenses. Eleven Custom Image modes provide flexible control of various parameters. Nine digital filters are also available, along with 19 pre-set Scene Modes and a hands-off Auto Picture mode, which is designed for novice users.
 Full HD movie recording is available with stereo audio. An external microphone jack is also provided. Users can also capture time lapse movies in HD with the ‘Star Stream’ function, which can record series of still images, such as stars, and save them as an AVI movie. Two User memories on the mode dial support customisation of camera controls to fit all users’ requirements.

The new ultra thin, smc Pentax-DA L 18-50mm f/4-5.6 DC WR RE weather-resistant zoom lens matches the compact body of the K-S2. Covering the equivalent range of 27.5 to 76.5mm in 35mm format, it is retractable and measures 41mm in height in its stored position. The Pentax K-S2 will be offered in black, white and black/orange colours with other colours available through special order. The 18-50mm will be available in black and white. Local release date and pricing are likely to be revealed later this week and we will update this announcement accordingly. For more information, visit http://www.ricoh-imaging.com/.