NewsSeptember 2010

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Pentax K-r mid-level DSLR announced with brief hands-on

Pre-Photokina 2010: Pentax has announced the K-r, its latest mid-level DSLR. Initially sitting above the K-x in the range it offers more angular, K-7-esque styling. It offers 6 fps continuous shooting and HD movie recording and regains AF-point illumination in the viewfinder. It also features a high-res 920k dot (VGA) LCD display and the ability to shoot at up to ISO 25600. Unusually for a Pentax at this level it uses an rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack but can be used with AAs via an optional adapter. We've had a chance to get to grips with the K-r and have prepared a brief hands-on article discussing its features and additions.

Jump to:

• Brief hands-on article
• Press Release
• Specifications
• Additional Images
  

Press Release:

Compact, lightweight, multi-features... It’s the mid-range digital SLR camera

PENTAX Imaging Systems announces the launch of its latest digital SLR camera – the K-r.  Encased in a compact, lightweight body, this new model combines simple, user-friendly functions with a wide array of advanced features, designed to enhance the fun and excitement of digital SLR photography.

Developed to be a mid-range model targeted at digital SLR novices and family users, the PENTAX K-r offers an assortment of features and functions that make it easy for everyone to effortlessly capture the high-quality images people expect of a digital SLR camera.

In addition it comes equipped with a host of handy tools that help create more personalised, creative images, including:

• high-quality image reproduction with approximately 12.4 effective megapixels
• HDTV-proportion movie recording
• high-speed continuous shooting at approximately six images per second
• super-high-sensitivity shooting at ISO 25600 (via a custom function)
• a large, easy-to-view 3.0-inch high-resolution colour LCD monitor

The K-r boasts outstanding performance and versatility, almost the equivalent of more advanced digital SLR cameras, while allowing the photographer to easily deal with different photographic requirements.  Its dual-power-source design offers a choice between the standard rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a set of AA-size batteries. 

It is also compatible with the IrSimple™ high-speed infrared data transmission system for wireless data transfer to IrSimple-compatible devices, and for swift image data exchange. 

What are its key functions?

• High-quality, true-to-life image reproduction: The K-r incorporates a new-generation CMOS image sensor with approximately 12.4 effective megapixels. It also features the high-performance PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) II imaging engine to ensure accurate and high-speed data processing equal to that of upper-level models
•  Compact, lightweight body: Despite the incorporation of the large 23.6mm x 15.8mm image sensor, the K-r sports a compact, lightweight body, thanks to a trim, stainless-steel chassis, a downsized in-body shake reduction mechanism, and state-of-the-art, high-density packaging technologies that ensure space-efficient positioning and layout of the camera components
• High-speed continuous shooting at approximately six images per second: The shooting mode records as many as 25 images (in JPEG recording format) in a single sequence at a maximum speed of approximately six images per second — the fastest of all entry-class models
• High-precision AF system: The K-r’s high-precision, wide-frame SAFOX IX autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) for pin sharp focusing. Spot beam is also available for difficult lighting situations.
• Bright, clear optical viewfinder: Thanks to the combination of PENTAX-original finder optics and the renowned Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, the K-r’s viewfinder offers a bright, clear subject image at 0.85X magnification and a 96% field of view
• Large, easy-to-view 3.0-inch LCD monitor with wide-view design and approximately 921,000 dots: High-resolution colour LCD monitor with approximately 921,000 dots.  Its wide-view design assures a clear view of the monitor image from approximately 170 degrees horizontally and vertically
• Versatile dual-power-source design: Powered by a standard rechargeable lithium-ion battery or four AA-size batteries using optional AA Battery Holder D-BH109
• PENTAX-original SR mechanism for sharp, blur-free images: Features the PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, producing sharp, blur-free images even under demanding conditions prone to camera shake; compatible with the full range of Pentax lenses
• Innovative image-processing functions to produce distinctive photographic expressions: Custom image function for distinctive finishing touches/ Versatile digital filter function/ Cross process mode with three options/ Upgraded HDR (High Dynamic Range) function
• High-speed infrared data transmission system: The first PENTAX digital SLR camera equipped with the IrSimple™ high-speed infrared data transmission system
• High-quality, HDTV-proportion movie recording at 1280 x 720 pixels and at 25 frames per second: True-to-life movie clips in 16:9 high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels) at a frame rate of 25 frames per second

In addition it has...

• DR (Dust Removal) mechanism, to shake dust off the CMOS image sensor
• User-friendly layout of essential control buttons and levers, all positioned on the camera’s grip side for quick, effortless access by the photographer
• Auto Picture mode, for effortless, automatic selection of the most appropriate shooting mode, even during Live View shooting
• Eleven scene modes, including a new Night Scene HDR mode
• Versatile white balance control, featuring a new CTE mode designed to emphasise the dominant colour components of the captured images
• Automatic compensation of distortion and lateral chromatic aberration (available only with DA-,DFA- and FA Limited-series lenses)
• PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 software package, with RAW-data processing and browser applications
  

The PENTAX K-r will be available from October 2010
Recommended Retail Price:

• K-r + 18-55mm DAL - £599.99
• K-r + 18-55mm DAL + 50-200mm DAL - £699.99

Pentax K-r specifications

Price	US • $799.95 (body only) • $849.95 (with 18-55mm DAL) • $899.95(with 18-55mm DAL + 50-200mm DAL) • $999.95 (with 18-55mm DAL + 55-300mm) UK • £599.99 (with 18-55mm DAL) • £699.99 (with 18-55mm DAL + 50-200mm DAL)
Body material	Plastic on stainless steel chassis
Sensor	• 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor • Primary color filter • 12.4 million effective pixels
Shake Reduction	Sensor-Shift type
Dust reduction	• Image sensor moving mechanism and SP coating
Image sizes	• [12M] 4288 x 2848 pixels • [10M] 3936 x 2624 pixels • [6M] 3072 x 2048 pixels • [2M] 1728 x 1152 pixels
Image formats	• JPEG (Conforms to Exif 2.21), (Best, Better, Good) • Compressed RAW ( PEF ) • Non-compressed RAW ( DNG )
Color space	• sRGB • Adobe RGB
Lenses	PENTAX K, KA, KAF, KAF2 and KAF3 mount lenses
FOV crop	1.5x
Focusing	• 11-point wide autofocus system, 9 cross-type (SAFOX IX) • TTL Phase matching • 11-point or 5-point Auto, Select or Center
Focus modes	• AF-Auto • AF-Single • AF-Continuous • Manual focus
AF assist	Dedicated lamp
Shooting modes	• Program AE • Sensitivity-Priority AE • Shutter-Priority AE • Aperture-Priority AE • Metered Manual • AutoPicture mode • Portrait mode • Landcscape • Macro • Moving object • Night scene portrait • Flash off
Picture modes	• Bright • Natural • Portrait • Landscape • Vibrant • Monochrome • Reversal Film • Bleach Bypass
Scene modes	• Night Scene • Surf & Snow • Food • Sunset • Kids • Pet • Candlelight • Museum • Stage Lighting • Night Snap • Night scene HDR
Metering modes	• Multi-segment metering • Center-weighted metering • Spot metering
Metering	• TTL open-aperture 16-segment metering • Exposure range: EV 1-21.5（Standard Output Sensitivity 200 50mm F1.4）
AE Lock	Can be allocated to AF/AE-L button by Menu.
AE Bracketing	• ±0.5EV to ±1.5EV (1/2 EV steps) • ±0.3EV to ±1.0EV (1/3 EV steps) • ±0.7EV to ± 1.0EV (1/3 EV steps)
Exposure compen.	±3 EV (1/2 EV or 1/3 EV steps)
Exposure steps	• 1/2 EV • 1/3 EV
Sensitivity	• Auto (selectable range) • Manual : 200-12800 • Bulb Mode: up to ISO 1600 • Expandable ISO 100 - 25600 • 1EV, 1/2EV or 1/3EV steps
Shutter	Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter
Shutter Speed	• 30 to 1/6000 sec • Bulb
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Shade • Cloudy • Tungsten Light • Fluorescent Light (W, D, N, L) • Flash • CTE • Manual setting with WB fine adjustment
Movie mode	• AVi (Motion JPEG) • 1280 x 720, 25fps • 640 x 480, 30/25fps • Three quality levels • Built-in mono mic • Movie processing including Custom Image, Cross Process and selected Digital Filters
Viewfinder	• penta-mirror type • Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen • Field of view approx. 96% • Magnification approx. 0.85X (with 50mm F1.4 lens, infinity, -1m) • Diopter adjustment approx. -2.5 - +1.5m
LCD monitor	• TFT color LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating • Brightness and color adjustable • Wide angle view • 3.0 inch • Approx. 920,000 dots
Live View	• TTL by Image sensor • Enlargement (2X, 4X, 6X in case of AF mode, 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 10x in case of MF mode) • Grid pattern, white/black out warning display, Histogram display • AF: Contrast detection + Face detection / Contrast detection / Phase difference detection
Flash	• Built-in retractable P-TTL pop-up flash • Guide number: approx. 16 (Standard Output Sensitivity 200/m) • Angle of view coverage: 28mm wide-angle (35mm equivalent) • Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 EV - +1EV (1/2EV steps) • P-TTL • 1/180 sec flash-sync
External Flash	• Hot shoe, sync-speed: 1/180 sec. • Wireless-sync with PENTAX dedicated flash
Flash compensation	-2.0 to +1.0 EV
Drive modes	• Single-frame • Continuous (Hi, Lo) • Self-timer (12s, 2s) • Remote control (0s, 3s) • Interval up to 999 pictures • Auto bracket (3 frames)
Continuous shooting	• Hi speed: 6fps - 25 JPEG, 12 RAW • Lo speed: 2 fps - until card is full or 36 RAW
Remote release	• InfraRed remote (optional) • Instant or with 3 sec delay
Custom functions	22 custom-programmable functions available
Preview	Optical / Digital preview
Playback mode	• One Image • Index (4 or 9 or 16 or 36 thumbnails) • Enlargement (up to 16X, scroll available) • Image Rotation • Folder view • Slideshow • Histogram • Bright/Dark area • Calender • Resize • Trimming • Index
Digital filter (Rec Mode)	• Toy Camera • High Contrast • Soft • Star Burst • Retro • Extract Color • Custom • Fish Eye
Digital filter (Playback)	• Monochrome • Posterisation • Color • Soft • Pastel • Watercolor • Sketch • HDR • Brightness • Toy Camera • High Contrast • Soft • Slim • Star Burst • Retro • Miniature • Fish Eye • Extract Colour • Base Parameter Adjustment • Custom
Menu languages	• English • French • German • Spanish • Swedish • Dutch • Italian • Russian • Portuguese • Danish • Finnish • Polish • Czech • Hungarian • Turkish • Japanese • Korean • Traditional Chinese • Simplified Chinese • Greek
Connectivity	• USB/Video • USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED) • Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats
Storage	SD or SDHC card
Power	• D-LI109 rechargeable Lithium Ion • Four AA (lithium, alkaline, and rechargeable Ni-MH) batteries with optional D-BH109 adapter • Optional AC adapter
Battery life (CIPA Standard)	• 470 shots with D-LI109 • 1000 shots with AA
Dimensions	125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in)
Weight (no lens)	598g (20.5 oz.) with D-LI109 battery, 625g with AAs

Additional Images