Pentax launches 10.2-megapixel K200D DSLR

Pentax's newly launched K20D a bit too rich for your blood? Fret not, as it's also launching (officially, that is) the K200D for consumers "who may be unfamiliar with DSLR cameras." Packed in this beauty is a 10.2-megapixel sensor, a 2.7-inch LCD monitor, the firm's own Shake Reduction system, ISO up to 1,600 and an array of auto picture / scene modes to boot. Sure, a little less exciting than the bigger bro, but hey, it's five Benjamins less ($799.95), too. Expect it to ship in March, and feel free to peruse the full specifications list after the jump.

K200D Specifications:

SENSOR
Type: Interline interlace CCD with primary color filter and integrated Shake/Dust Reduction sensor movement system
Size: 23.5 x 15.7mm
Color depth: 8 bits/channel JPG, 12 bits/channel RAW
Effective pixels: 10.2 MP
Total pixels: 10.75 MP
Recorded resolutions: 3872x2592 (10M), 3008x2000 (6M), 1824x1216 (2M)
Quality levels: Best, Better, Good
Dust removal: Image sensor movement combined with SP coating

LENS MOUNT
Type/construction: Pentax KAF2 bayonet stainless steel mount
Usable lenses: Pentax KAF2, KAF, and KA (K mount, 35mm screwmount, 645/67 med format useable w/ adapter and/or restrictions)
SDM function: YES
Power zoom function: n/a

FOCUS SYSTEM
Type: TTL phase-matching 11 point wide autofocus system (SAFOX VIII)
Focus modes: AF Single (w/ focus lock), Manual, AF Continuous available in Action mode (including Auto Pict Action), Kids mode, Pet mode, P/A/S/M/B/Sv
Focus point adjustment: Auto, User-Selectable, Center
AF assist: YES, via built-in flash

VIEWFINDER
Type: Penta-Mirror
Coverage (field of view): 96%
Magnification: 0.85x (w/ 50mm f/1.4 at infinity)
Standard focusing screen: Natural-Bright-Matte II
Diopter adjustment: -2.5 to 1.5
Depth of field preview: Optical diaphragm stop down, Digital

LCD MONITOR
Type: 2.7" TFT color LCD monitor, adjustable brightness
Resolution: Approx 230,000 dots
Wide angle viewable: YES, approx 160° horizontal/vertical

BUILT-IN FLASH
Type: Retractable P-TTL popup flash
Guide number: 13 (100/m)
Coverage: 28mm wide angle (equivalent to 35mm)
Flash modes: TBA
Flash exposure compensation: -2 to 1 EV in 1/2 steps

EXTERNAL FLASH
Type: Hot Shoe (P-TTL, high speed sync available), Wireless with PENTAX dedicated flash
Synchronization speed: 1/180s

STORAGE MEDIA
Internal memory: n/a
Removable memory: SD, SDHC

INTERFACES
Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed, video out, DC input, cable switch
Video out: NTSC, PAL
Printer interfaces: PictBridge

POWER SUPPLY
Power source: 4* AA (lithium, alkaline, NiMH rechargeable)
Recordable images: Approx 1100 w/ lithium (approx 550 w/ 50% flash use)
Playback time: Approx 700 min
AC adapter available: YES (optional)

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Body dimensions (W x H x D): 5.2 x 3.7 x 2.9"
Body weight
Without battery or removable memory: 22.2 oz
Loaded and ready: 24.3 oz w/ lithium batteries (25.6 oz w/ alkaline batteries)
Construction material(s): Reinforced plastic polymer shell around a rugged stainless steel chassis
Operating temperature: 32-104°F

LANGUAGE SUPPORT
English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, Dutch, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Japanese, Korean, Traditional/Simplified Chinese
IMAGE STABILIZATION
Type: Body-based, sensor shift Shake Reduction (4 stops maximum)

METERING SYSTEM
Type: TTL open aperture, 16 segment metering
Sensitivity range: EV 0-21 (ISO 100, 50mm f/1.4)
Multi-segment: YES, 16 segments
Center weighted: YES
Spot: YES
Exposure compensation: +/- 2 EV (1/2 or 1/3 steps)
Exposure lock: YES
Exposure bracketing: YES, 3 frames, up to +/- 1.5 (1/2 steps) or +/- 1.0 (1/3 steps)

ISO SENSITIVITY
Auto: 100-1600 ISO (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps)
Manual: 100-1600 ISO (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps)

WHITE BALANCE*
Auto preset modes: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent (W, D, N), Flash, Color Temperature
Manual mode(s): YES
* WB fine adjustment available

SHUTTER
Type: Electronically controlled, vertical run, focal plane shutter
Shutter speed: 1/4000 to 30 sec, bulb available

CAPTURE MODES
Mode selection: Auto Picture, Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash-Off), Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum), Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Metered Manual, Bulb
Green simplified mode available: n/a
P/A/S/M/B: P, A, S, M, B (extended modes include Sv)
Date stamp: n/a
Digital filters (capture): TBA
Data record: Folder Name (standard, date)

DRIVE MODES
Mode selection: Single, Continuous (Hi, Lo), Self-Timer (12s, 2s), Remote (0s, 3s), Auto Bracket
Continuous FPS:
- 2.8 FPS (4 JPG and Continuous Hi, 4 RAW)
- 1.1 FPS (unlimited JPG and Continuous Lo, 4 RAW)
Self-timer: YES (12s, 2s)
Remote control: YES, infrared (0s, 3s) and cable switch supported

PLAYBACK MODES
Mode selection: One shot, two shots, index (4, 9, or 16 thumbnails), magnification, image rotation, folder view, slideshow, histogram, bright/dark indicators, RAW to JPG
Magnification: Up to 16x, scrollable
Digital filters (playback): B&W, Sepia, Color (18), Soft (3), Illustration, HDR (3), Slim (+/- 8), Brightness (+/- 8)

FILE FORMATS
Still: RAW PEF/DNG, JPG (EXIF 2.21), DCF 2.0 (design rule for camera file system), DPOF, Print Image Matching III

CUSTOM FUNCTIONS
Functions available: 23

COMPUTER SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS*
*For device connectivity. Bundled software requirements may vary.
Windows: Windows XP/Vista, USB port
Mac: MacOS 10.2 or later, USB 2.0 port
KIT INCLUSIONS
K200D body (18-55 lens with lens kit), USB Cable I-USB17, Video Cable I-VC28, Strap O-ST53, Hotshoe Cover FK, Eyecup FO, Body Mount Cover, Finder Cap for ME, Software CD-ROM S-SW74, AA Lithium Batteries (*4)
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
AC Adapter Kit K-AC76U, Battery Grip BG3, Remote Control F, Cable Switch CS-205, Magnifying Eyepiece O-ME53 (1.2x), DSLR Gadget Bag, DSLR Sling Bag

[chadow @ Jan 23rd 2008 5:23PM]

Thats kinda nice. I love seeing so many nice affordable dSLR's heating up the competition.

[Rex @ Jan 23rd 2008 6:04PM]

Dang. I just got a K100D super, too.

[ChillyWilly @ Jan 23rd 2008 11:16PM]

I've been eyeing the K100D Super for some time now. How do you like it?

And on a related note, it looks like the new K200D coming out has pushed the K100D Super from several e-tailers, just before the end of the month rebate ends on the K100D Super.

I'll be curious to see what major changes the K200D can offer, besides the megapixel increase.

[Rex @ Jan 23rd 2008 11:21PM]

I like it and have had no issues so far. If you want some of my test pictures check out sdoorex.deviantart.com or picasaweb.google.com/rex.sdoorex The only difference I see between this and it is the MP count and this one looks like the K200D doesn't offer ISO3200.

[ChillyWilly @ Jan 28th 2008 10:10AM]

Tanks, Rex. I will check the pics out.

[Stephan @ Jan 23rd 2008 7:47PM]

So the difference between this and the K10D is....Better buy the K10D now for about $550 after rebate!

[T-Bone @ Jan 23rd 2008 8:05PM]

Canon's influence in the DSLR market it glaring here. Canon has a 40D and for a few hundred less a 400D.

[chadow @ Jan 23rd 2008 10:58PM]

I dont see your point. Nikon, Leica, Olympus, Nikon, Sony etc....have cameras at various price points.

Canon influence on most things photography is a given. Speaking of influence on Cameras, I can still see the original 1913 Leica in nearly every 35mm style camera ever made. As far as the glaring look of the dSLR market, I think Nikon had the look that carried on, with the SVC.

[T-Bone @ Jan 23rd 2008 11:03PM]

What I mean is Canon has a mid-range DSLR and an entry-level DSLR that differ in name and price difference the same way the Pentax one does.

Canon 40D $1,299
Canon 400D $899
Pentax K20D $1,299
Pentax K200D $799

Se what I mean?

[chadow @ Jan 23rd 2008 11:12PM]

Ahhhh......haha. I'm an idiot after 10 P.M.

Sorry, its obvious now. :)