Digital SLR

The Optio RS1000 and RZ10 aren't the only new cameras from PENTAX. Also announced today is a new colorful digital SLR, the K-r DSLR.

The PENTAX K-r has features making it easy to use, such as Auto Picture, Scene, and Custom Image Processing modes. Great for those just learning how to use a digital SLR, they help take the guesswork out of shooting great pictures, while still offering manual and priority control.

The K-r includes new and improved features such as a fast framerate (6 FPS), high ISO sensitivity (100-25600 ISO range), 11-point SAFOX IX autofocus system, a 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor and widescreen 720p HD video capture at 25 FPS. Read more

Adding to its colorful lineup of K-x digital SLR cameras, PENTAX just announced that they have four new color choices – chocolate, beige, olive and pink. Available now in the PENTAX webstore, the new cameras have the same specs as the other K-x DSLRs such as a 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor, 2.7 inch LCD, widescreen HD video capture in 720p resolution (1280x720) at 24 FPS, HDR image capture, 4.7 FPS capture speed and 1/6000 second maximum shutter speeds.

The K-x also touts an 11 point wide angle SAFOX VIII autofocus system, Live View with Face Detection (up to 16 faces), PENTAX Auto Picture and Scene modes and an expanded ISO range of 100-12800 for extreme low light photography.Read more

Canon hit a huge milestone this week with the production of the 40 millionth EOS-series SLR camera. Yes, you read that right…40 million!

Timeline:

• 1987: Production of the EOS SLR camera began
• 1997: Production reached 10 million units (the 10th anniversary of the series)
• 2003: Production passed the 20-million mark
• 2007: Canon went on to reach the 30-million mark in December 2007 (series 20-year anniversary)
• 2010: The EOS-series hits the 40-million-unit production milestone, after just two years and four months!

That's pretty impressive! Congrats, Canon!

Read the press release below to see how the Canon EOS-series has evolved through the years.

Press release:

Canon celebrates The Production of The 40 millionth EOS-series SLR camera

May 13, 2010 — Canon Inc. announced today the achievement of a new camera-manufacturing milestone as combined production of the company’s EOS-series film and digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras passed the 40-million mark.Read more

PENTAX announced today that its popular entry-level K-x digital SLR is coming to America in a rainbow of colors. No longer just in black, white, red or navy, the K-x now comes in limited edition bright blue, orange, green and purple. The K-x is available for pre-order now on www.pentaxwebstore.com.

The 12.4 megapixel PENTAX K-x is an excellent option for first-time digital SLR users. It's easy-to-use, compact and lightweight enough for shooting pictures using one hand. Features include a 2.7 inch LCD, Widescreen HD video capture in 720p resolution (1280x720) at 24 FPS, HDR image capture, 4.7 FPS capture speed and 1/6000 second maximum shutter speeds. It also includes Live View with Face Detection (up to 16 faces), PENTAX Auto Picture and Scene modes, and can take up to 1900 shots using AA lithium batteries.Read more

PENTAX today unveiled the K-x digital SLR. This latest PENTAX camera has high-end features including Live View and HD video. And, with a one-handed shooting design and easy-to-use operation, the K-x is perfect for people stepping up from a point and shoot to their first digital SLR. Priced at just $649.95 (for body with DA L 18-55mm lens), the K-x will be available in black and white in October 2009. The K-x will also be available in limited edition red and navy colors.

Read more

Canon just announced the new 18-megapixel EOS 7D Digital SLR camera featuring fast eight fps continuous shooting, Full HD video recording with variable frame rates and manual exposure control. The EOS 7D DSLR is not just an update of an older model, it is a new product with features never before seen in a Canon camera.

The EOS 7D features a 3.0-inch Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dot/VGA resolution, an 18-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors with the ability to freeze fast motion in high-resolution with eight fps continuous shooting up to 126 Large JPEGS using a UDMA CF card. And with a range of ISO speed settings from 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800), low-light images can be taken with or without flash. Full HD video can be captured at 1920 x 1080 resolution with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p.

New features of the EOS 7D include a new 19-point Autofocus system, new Canon iFCL Metering System (Intelligent Focus, Color, Luminance), new Intelligent Viewfinder, and a RAW/JPEG toggle button for fast dual-format shooting. Not only that, the camera has a built-in Dual Axis Electronic Level, built-in Integrated Speedlite Transmitter for control of multiple off-camera EOS Speedlites without needing an external transmitter, as well as a new Intelligent Macro Tracking function to reduce blur. The new Quick Control Button opens a menu on the camera's LCD screen to quickly adjust all camera settings including AF modes. Read more

Sony today introduced the new full-frame alpha DSLR-A850 camera and a new 28-75mm F2.8 lens, geared towards the pro photographer. Almost identical to the flagship a900, the a850 has a 24.6-megapixel, 35-mm full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor and fast image processing with dual BIONZ processing engines. It also offers high-speed continuous shooting of 24.6 megapixel images at up to three frames per second.

Other features include:

• Intelligent Preview function: "grabs" a RAW preview image, displays it on the screen, and lets you fine tune it without using up memory on the camera's memory card
• Autofocus system: nine sensors with 10 assist points for improved tracking of moving subjects. A center dual cross sensor comprised of two horizontal and two vertical line sensors as well as a dedicated f/2.8 sensor are included for better precision when using fast-aperture lenses
• SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization: the camera achieves an anti-shake effect equivalent to shutter speeds faster by 2.5 to 4 stops. The anti-shake system stabilizes all Sony, Minolta and Konica-Minolta compatible lenses even wide angle or large aperture lenses.

The camera also has HDMI output and Photo TV HD mode, and includes dedicated slots for Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, HX series and CompactFlash media.Read more

PENTAX just announced price reductions, rebates, and an extended warranty on their popular K Series digital cameras. For example, the PENTAX K20D digital SLR body now has an in-store instant $100.00 rebate. This offer is for a limited time only and ends February 22, 2009. They are also extending the K20D FREE Three-Year Warranty (one year standard, two years extended) on all K20Ds purchased by March 31, 2009.

Need a battery grip to go along with the camera? Between now and March 31st, 2009, if you buy the D-BG3 Battery Grip along with the K20D and any PENTAX lens, you can get it for only $19.95 ($129.00 value). Sounds like a good deal to me.

The PENTAX K2000 flash kit (PENTAX K2000 body, smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL lens, and the PENTAX AF200FG Auto Flash) has been reduced to $599.95 and three new configurations are shipping to dealers this month.

• PENTAX K2000 two lens kit (PENTAX K2000 body, smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL lens, and an smc PENTAX DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 AL lens) will be $649.95.
  
• PENTAX K2000 single lens kit (PENTAX K2000 body, smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL lens) will be $549.95.
  
• PENTAX K2000 body only is $499.95.
  

The Limited Edition white PENTAX K2000 DSLR system with a double zoom kit we told you about in December will also be available this month for $679.95.

Visit www.pentaximaging.com to learn more about these products.