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.
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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 |
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