Pentax
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Pentax rolls out another yawner: the 10MP M60 point-and-shoot
If the E60 had you dozing last night, you'll be conked out in no time by the time you finish reading this. Pentax is at it again, proving that point-and-shoot cameras can still be boring this day and age. The M60 tries to be fancy with a 10-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, "approximately 36.5MB of built-in memory," movie / panorama modes, a variety of scene modes and smile detection capabilities to boot. Expect this one to arrive late next month in blue, pink and silver for around £90 ($179).[Via PhotographyPress]
Pentax Optio E60's 10 megapixels are easy on the wallet
In strict megapixel to dollar terms, the new Optio E60 from Pentax is a real steal, at a mere $140 for its absurd 10 megapixels. Of course, there's more to the story. The 3x zoom and lack of optical image stabilization -- "High Sensitivity Digital Shake Reduction" is little comfort -- won't be winning you any "best candid shot of whatever we did last night" awards, but there are some decent automatic perks like face recognition and a "Green" settings mode for absolute novices that should keep you from getting booted out of your Flickr pool. The E60, which is powered by AA batteries, will be available in October.
Pentax K200D gets reviewed
Pentax's K200D has been out and about for a little while now, but if you're still undecided about taking the plunge on the mid-range DSLR, you may want to pay a visit to Photography Blog, which has just put the camera through its paces. On the whole, they seem to have come away pretty impressed with it, saying that it offers a "substantial number of improvements" over the previous K100D, which they say was already an excellent camera to begin with. In addition to the bump to 10-megapixels, the site seems to have been particularly impressed by the camera's new Sv shooting mode, "greatly improved battery life," and some new dust and water-resistant weatherproof sealing. On the downside, there's still no Live View mode, but considering the price (around $600 street), it seems like this one is a solid bet.
Pentax kicks out the waterproof Optio W60
Pentax has been cranking out waterproof Optio point-and-shoots for a while now, and the company's latest, the W60, doesn't really break from the company's successful basic formula. The 10 megapixel shooter packs a 2.5-inch LCD, 5x optical zoom that doesn't ever extend out from the main camera body, 720p movie mode, ISO 6400 sensitivity and face, smile, and blink detection. Oh, and it works in depths up to 13 feet in temperatures of just 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and is JIS Class 5 certified against dust and sand. You know, just in case. Should be out in July for $329 in both blue and silver.
Samsung working up full-frame CMOS sensor for pro DSLR?
Go on and grab your salt shaker, as this rumor just isn't fit to digest without a few dashes. According to information gathered by Amateur Photographer during an "informal discussion with [Kyong-Kook Shin] at an industry event in Seoul, Korea," Samsung could be developing a full-frame CMOS imaging sensor. As the story goes, said sensor would eventually be housed in an undisclosed "professional DSLR," but as of now, the device has only reached the design stage. When Sammy's UK branch was contacted about the whispers, it refused to confirm, but commercial director Robert King did note that the company was "committed to the DSLR market" and would "continue to invest in R&D in this important market sector." Yeah, it's all shaky at best, but we can't pretend we aren't a wee bit giddy just thinking about it.[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]
Pentax introduces 8MP Optio V20 point-and-shoot
Not quite able to squeeze into a size 2 chassis before PMA, Pentax's Optio V20 now has the runway all to itself. This 8-megapixel point-and-shoot isn't anything spectacular, but the 5x optical zoom is a nice complement to the 3-inch LCD monitor, face recognition, blink detection, USB 2.0 connectivity, video out and VGA movie mode. You'll also find a SD / SDHC expansion slot in case 52MB of built-in memory just isn't enough, and the rechargeable Li-ion is said to be good for around 200 clicks on a full charge. On board? Start pinching those pennies now, as this one will set you back $279.95 when it runs aground in May.[Via CNET]
Pentax canceling the 645 Digital to focus on K-series DSLRs?
Pentax's 31.6 megapixel medium-format 645 Digital has been announced for over a year now -- we've even seen one in the flesh -- but it's never actually shipped, and now it looks like it never will. According to Impress, Pentax is killing off its digital medium format cameras to focus on K-series DSLRs, but the 645's film versions will live on. Considering the ever-more-competitive field of excellent prosumer cams out there, we can't say we fault the decision, but if there are any engineering samples lying around, we'll be happy to take 'em off Pentax's hands.
Hands-on with Pentax's new Optio lineup
There doesn't seem to be a lot of excitement when Pentax releases new cameras in its Optio range -- do you people only love them for their DSLRs? -- but nonetheless, we gave them the same hands-on treatment that everyone else gets. Below you'll find the new S12, E50, and M50 in all their seemingly-unpopular glory, despite the fact that they seemed like fairly stylish, solidly-built products to us. Still with us? Great, we've got a lot of multi-colored point-and-shoot action in store for you.%Gallery-15027%
Hands-on with the Pentax K20D DSLR
Lookee here, the K20D, Pentax's flagship entry in the DSLR race and replacement for the K10D. Good looking stuff here, and right off the bat you can see it's a step above the K200D: a proper command dial in place of buttons on the back of that dust-proof (not just resistant) and weather-resistant body. But the beauty's more than skin deep -- check out the 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor, Live View 2.7-inch LCD and ISO sensitivity that peaks out at 3,200 (thanks, CMOS!). And in case you were wondering, no "scene" modes at this level, either.%Gallery-14975%
Hands-on with the Pentax K200D DSLR
Pretty much all the major camera manufacturers had their wares on display tonight at Digital Focus, the pregame event to PMA. We got our hands on Pentax's prosumer DSLR, the K200D. Pentax definitely makes a competitive case for itself here -- lots of buyers just getting into a DSLR don't have "investments" into glass from other vendors, and the features on the K200D look great: 10.2-megapixel CCD, 2.7-inch LCD, Shake Reduction in the body, and dust/weather resistant seals. We're curious to see if the "soft" JPEG processing from Pentax's other DSLRs still remains.%Gallery-14976%
Samsung GX-20 DSLR gets official in the UK
Samsung's GX-20 DSLR has taken a rather roundabout route on the way to release -- first getting leaked on a Norwegian website and then getting official in Korea -- but it looks like things are really pickup up now, with Samsung announcing the camera for the UK and, thankfully, providing all the details this time around. As we knew before, the DSLR is a 14.6-megapixel number, with a 2.7-inch live view LCD, RAW and JPEG modes, sensor-based image stabilization, and ISO settings up to 3200, among other equally impressive specs. What's new this time around is the all-important price (£699, or just under $1,400), and some of the finer details, including word of two new lenses for the camera. What's more, as Digital Photography Review points out, this announcement also confirms that the GX-20 is, in fact, essentially the same camera as Pentax's just-announced K20D, with the Samsung boasting only a few minor cosmetic changes and, according the company, its own JPEG processing.
Pentax gets official with 14.6-megapixel K20D DSLR
We reckoned those fliers spotted earlier today weren't just clever mockups, but now Pentax is affirming said assumption by getting all official with its new 14.6-megapixel K20D. This beast features a 2.7-inch Live View LCD monitor, improved dust reduction system (including a new Dust Alert function to pinpoint the exact location of a particle), a weather / dust resistant shell, ISO up to 3,200, support for SD / SDHC cards, USB 2.0 connectivity, video-out (NTSC and PAL) and PictBidge functionality. For the rest of the nitty-gritty, be sure and click on through -- after chewing on those details, maybe you can then decide whether or not you'll be throwing down $1,299.95 for the body-only model in March. Oh, and don't you worry about lenses -- Pentax is busting out five new ones at PMA next week.
Pentax fleshes out Optio line with S12 and E50 compacts
Two more for ya from Pentax -- the pocketable S12 and E50, which we're going to dig right into if that's okay with the crowd. The former features a 12-megapixel sensor, VGA movie mode, 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, face recognition, 5-point autofocus, 21MB of internal storage space, support for SD / SDHC cards, USB 2.0 connectivity, video out (NTSC and PAL), PictBridge functionality and ISO up to 3,200. As for the E50, it trims down to an 8.1-megapixel CCD sensor, 2.4-inch LCD, 3-point autofocus system, 9.5MB of built-in memory and an ISO limit of 1,600, but most everything else mimics its aforementioned sibling. Catch 'em both this March for $279.95 and $149.95, respectively, and just in case you were curious to the whereabouts of the oh-so-similar A40, we're told that it's finally set to hit the streets next month for $299.95. %Gallery-14503%
Pentax intros compact Optio M50 digital camera
If those high-end Pentax DSLRs aren't your thing, then perhaps the company's just-announced Optio M50 will be more to your (and your bank account's) liking. Available in your choice of silver, blue or pink, this one boasts 8 megapixels and a slightly better than usual 5x optical zoom, along with a 2.5-inch LCD, ISO shooting modes all the way up to ISO 6400, and increasingly common features like face recognition and smile capture. Look for it to hit in March with a list price of $230 and be sure to hit up the gallery below for a closer look at the camera in each of the available colors. %Gallery-14497%
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.
Sneak peek at Pentax's K20D, K200D DSLRs
Obviously, we can't confirm nor deny the authenticity of the above image, but a particular Japanese citizen managed to snag several ads that do a fairly decent job of showing off the supposedly forthcoming K20D and K200D DSLRs. On the downside, most everything here is penned in Japanese, but on the upside, there's several more non-blurry (say it ain't so!) images where this one came from -- including one dedicated to lenses -- waiting in the links below. Go get 'em, Tiger![Via NeutralDay]
Samsung's GX-20 DSLR leaked
Apparently, Samsung is about to drop some extra-hot DSLR action on the world -- the 14.6-megapixel monster that is the GX-20. The camera -- which was apparently leaked on a Norwegian website (though later removed) -- features sensor-based image stabilization, a 2.7-inch LCD, one-press RAW formatting, and ISO up to 3200. The camera appears to sport some ruggedized components as well, with resistance to rain, sand, and dust, as well as something called "double dust removal" on the image sensor. There's some speculation that this camera is the product of the unholy union between Samsung and Pentax, and that this model may in fact be the Pentax K20D which is set to be released. Stay tuned to this space for more info.
Images of Pentax's K200D DSLR surface?
Just over a month ago, we got word that Pentax could be readying a pair of new DSLRs, and now it seems that we've been blessed with a plethora of shots of the K200D. 'Course, we suppose they could be doctored, but we just don't believe someone would spend that much time working up Pentax fakes, ya know? Regardless, feel free to hit the read link and check out what's probably the outfit's next shooter -- or some mighty fine 'shops, worst case scenario.[Via Photography Bay]
Pentax rumored to be readying K20D, K200D DSLRs
While things are still far from official, rumors are starting to pick up that Pentax is set to update not one, but two of its DSLR cameras early next year, in advance of the big PMA show. More specifically, according to Photography Bay, Pentax's K10D and K100D will be getting replaced by the K20D and K200D, respectively, with each bringing with them a number of fairly significant upgrades. If the rumors pan out, the K20D will boast a hefty 14 megapixels, along with a 14 bit RAW A/D Processor, a slightly larger 3-inch "live view" LCD, and improved "in-body shake reduction," among other features. For its part, the K200D is said to pack a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor from Sony, plus a PRIME 12-bit Image Processor, a 3 FPS shooting mode, and a larger LCD that may or may not be a 3-incher as well. Of course, that's all still up in the air for the time being, but things should be settled one way or the other by January 24th, which is when Pentax is supposedly set to get official with the cameras.
Pentax Optio Z10 gets reviewed
Pentax's Optio Z10 digital camera has been out for a little while now, but it just recently landed into the hand of the folks at Photography Blog, who've now given the cam their usual review treatment. From the looks of it, however, this one appears to be a decidedly mixed bag, with the camera winning some points for its 7x optical zoom (despite its pocketable size), but leaving them rather unimpressed overall. Most significantly, they say the image quality is "severely hampered by noise," a problem that apparently crops up even at ISO 200, and becomes a "pixellated mess" by ISO 3200. The so-called "digital shake reduction" also appears to be about as useful as a digital zoom, and the face recognition feature doesn't seem to have fared much better either. On the upside, the camera's focusing is reportedly "fast and accurate," even in low-light conditions, and there is that 7x zoom. Unless that's your top priority, however, it seems like you can probably do better elsewhere.
