Pentax

When you position your camera vertically, getting the perfect shot can mean a stretch of the fingers to the shutter button when not holding the camera horizontally. PENTAX has the solution with its new Optio VS20 digital compact camera. The 16-megapixel camera packs an accelerometer, which will flip your image to the correct orientation and a second shutter release and zoom lever on the topmost side of the body for easier snapping. The company also thoughtfully included a second tripod mount, so there's no fussing with your stand required.

Other features include a 3-inch LCD, automatic picture modes including fish-eye. It'll capture 1280 x 720 movies with its independent video button (also recording in fish-eye) and variable aspect ratio.

Unlike most point and shoot, the two shutter release buttons - one on the top for landscape shots and one on the side for those portrait snaps - is a pretty useful invention. That said, don't mistake the VS20 as a one trick pony. It boasts a massive 20x optical zoom, which is very unorthodox for a camera of this size.Read more

PENTAX on Thursday announced its second interchangeable lens camera – the K-01. Designed by Marc Newson, the PENTAX K-01 features a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor and is compatible with most of the lenses the company has ever made – and that's a bunch, folks – we're talking over 25+ million K-mount lenses!

This mirrorless camera also features a 3-inch LCD with 920,000 dots, sensor-shift image stabilization, it can shoot at up to 6 frames per second, and has an ISO range of 100-25600 for noise-free imaging in almost any lighting. In addition, the K-01 captures Full HD 1080p video at 30 FPS with h.264 compression (60 FPS at 720p). What you won't find on the K-01 is an optical viewfinder or quick-return mirror – the elimination of these components gave Marc Newson more freedom when it came to the camera body's design.

PENTAX is also releasing a new lens for the K-01. The smc PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 XS interchangeable lens is said to be the world's thinnest interchangeable lens (as of February 1, 2012). The PENTAX K-01 will be available in black, white and Newson's signature yellow colors, and it features the designer's autograph logo stamp on the bottom of each camera. Read more

PENTAX added a new compact superzoom digital camera to its arsenal this week – the Optio VS20 featuring a 20X optical zoom lens (28-560mm equivalent). This camera also has a unique design – it features a shutter release button on both the top and side of the camera which gives it added stability at long optical zooms, as well as a more comfortable grip when shooting portraits, high-rise buildings, sports action, and panorama frames. There's even a vertical tripod socket for stabilized vertical support.

Additional features:

• A 16.0 megapixel CCD sensor with mechanical sensor shift Shake Reduction for stabilized, blur-free images even in low lighting
• A large 3.0 inch, wide view (approx. 170 degrees) LCD for easy image capture and review
• Auto Picture mode that automatically chooses the best camera settings
• Triple Shake Reduction (SR) for sharp, blur-free images and video
• A new Handheld Night Snap mode captures images with minimal blur and noise in low light settings
• Other new scene modes including Fish-eye, Sketch modes and a Stretch filter for more creative options

Read more

PENTAX unveiled a striking new Optio digital camera late Monday. Available next month, the compact Optio RZ18 features a powerful 18X optical zoom lens (25mm-450mm equivalent), 16 megapixel sensor, 3-inch HVGA LCD display, and several Shake Reduction image stabilization options, including sensor-shift SR. In addition to taking gorgeous still shots, it records widescreen HD video in 720p at 30 frames per second and offers a Movie Shake Reduction (SR) mode, which automatically compensates camera shake when shooting movies.

You'll also find automatic shooting modes such as Auto Picture and scene modes, creative special effects filters, 9-point autofocus with a 4cm super macro mode, Face detection, and even a pet recognition feature that not only detects the faces of dogs and cats, it also gives priority to three pre-registered pet faces, so your pets can be focused on when there's a group of pets in the picture. Read more

Now you can get your hands on a PENTAX 5-5 Digital SLR and save $400 in the process! The company just announced a permanent price reduction on its popular K-5 – dropping its price $100 to $1499.95 (body only) and to $1,649.95 (for the K-5 lens kit w DA 18-55 WR lens). To make it even better, from now until November 30, 2011, a $300 instant rebate is in effect on the purchase of either kit configuration. The combined savings brings the K-5 to $1199.95 (body only) and $1,349.95 (for K-5 lens kit w DA 18-55 WR lens).

PENTAX K-5 features:

• 16.3 megapixel CMOS sensor with integrated AD conversion circuitry.
• High sensitivity 80-51200 ISO range with improved noise performance.
• Speedy 7 FPS captures fast action shots.
• 11 point SAFOX IX+ autofocus system with dedicated AF assist lamp and light wavelength sensor.
• Widescreen 1080p HD video at 25 FPS, with sound via built-in or external 3.5mm stereo microphone jack.
• 3 inch LCD with 921,000 dots of resolution.
• Fully weather sealed and coldproof design.
• Durable magnesium alloy covers surround a rugged stainless steel chassis.
• Highly accurate 77 segment metering system.
• Pentaprism viewfinder with 100% field of view and 0.92X magnification.
• PENTAX body-based Shake Reduction (SR) stabilization system
• A maximum 1/8000 second shutter speed.
• HDMI port outputs high definition images and video (and sound).
• Native support for both PENTAX PEF and Adobe DNG 14 bit RAW files.
• Improved in-camera HDR image capture.
• A wide range of in-camera image processing and special effects filters.
• Customizable RAW/Fx button.
• Built-in electronic level with tilt scale display.

Read more

PENTAX just announced they will offer a limited edition 645D camera kit to celebrate the PENTAX 645D being named Camera Grand Prix Japan 2011 "Camera of the Year."

This limited edition camera kit will include:

• PENTAX 645D Japan camera body
• Leather Strap 645D japan O-ST123
• Body Mount Cap 645D Japan
• Center-Spot-Matte Focusing Screen DS-80
• Specially designed paulownia-wood packaging

The PENTAX 645D was first introduced in June 2010 and was the company's first medium-format digital SLR camera. The camera was selected Camera GP Japan 2011 "Camera of the Year" for its original, outstanding features including an extra-large CCD image sensor delivering 40MP of resolution, and its dust-proof, weather-resistant body that operates in temperatures as low as –10°C.

The new model kit will be available for pre-order on www.pentaxwebstore.com. PENTAX is planning built-to-order production of this model with a minimum four month delivery period from the date each order is placed.

Visit www.pentaximaging.com for more information on the camera and all of its features.

PENTAX just unveiled the PENTAX Q - a camera so tiny, it currently holds the title of "the world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera". But don't let its size fool you. Even though it measures 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2" (W x H x D) and weighs in at a mere 6.3 oz (without battery), the PENTAX Q is certainly not small when it comes to features. The Q packs in a 12.4 megapixel backlit CMOS image sensor, 3-inch LCD monitor, built-in popup flash, and has a brand new PENTAX Q-mount lens system. It captures Full 1080p HD video at 30 fps using h.264 compression, has a top shutter speed of 1/2000 second, an ISO range of 125 to ISO 6400 and also includes PENTAX's sensor-shift Shake Reduction system with integrated DRII Dust Reduction. And that's just the beginning.

Housed in a scratch resistant magnesium alloy body, the PENTAX Q combines DSLR shooting modes such as Program, Aperture/Shutter Priority, and Metered Manual exposure control with Automatic modes for everyday shooting. It includes a dedicated bokeh filter, 5 fps continuous shooting mode, In-camera HDR capture mode and a variety of creative modes and Smart Effect options that can be assigned to the Q's Quick Dial on the front of the camera. Read more

PENTAX just announced a new Spring Binocular Rebate on seventeen of their popular binoculars – allowing hikers, bird watchers and anyone else who loves the outdoors – to save anywhere from $20 all the way up a $100!

The PENTAX Spring Binocular Rebate is offered now through June 30, 2011. The mail-in rebate amounts vary and are in the form of a Visa Gift card.

The Spring Rebate is simple to use:

1. Visit the nearest PENTAX retailer and purchase any of the items listed below.
2. Pick up a rebate form or download one from: www.pentaxsportoptics.com/rebate
3. Complete the form (front and back) and include the UPC of the product(s) purchased.
4. Mail in the form and receive your Visa Prepaid Card in 6-8 weeks.

Read more

Make your digital camera your own with the new PENTAX Optio RS1500. This customizable digital camera features a new removable (and screwless) faceplate system with an interchangable lens ring snap which holds the custom skins, allowing you to easily change the camera's appearance without any tools.

You can personalize your Optio RS1500 with one of the 10 skins that ship with the camera, or, you can download the PENTAX PERSONAL SKIN DESIGNER software from www.pentaximaging.com, import your own photo and design a cover which you can then save as a PDF for printing. A PENTAX SKINS Gallery can also be viewed at http://rs.pentaximaging.com.

The Optio RS1500 features 14 megapixels, a three-inch LCD monitor, 4X optical zoom lens covering 27.5mm wide angle to 110mm telephoto, and 720p HD movie recording.

About the size of a credit-card, the Optio RS1500 will be available in April 2011 for $149.95.

Amid all the iPad 2 craziness this week, PENTAX added a new point and shoot digital camera to its Optio line, the S1. Great for photographers who want an easy-to-use camera without tons of bells and whistles, the S1 has 14 megapixels, a 2.7-inch LCD display, 5X wide-angle zoom (28-140mm) and records 720p HD video.

The Optio S1 also has PENTAX's Shake Reduction (SR) system, Auto Picture mode, Face Detection, Smile Capture and Blink Detection, and a High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode.

The ultra-compact Optio S1 will be available later this month for $199.95. It has a gem-like finish and comes in Chrome or a glossy Black or Green. You can preorder it now at www.pentaxwebstore.com.