The Pentax K-x was announced last month, and it seems to be a very decent entry-level camera. We already reported the device will be available in a few different colors in Japan, while the US only gets black, white, and red models. And today Pentax said in Tokyo [JP], they are ready to roll out a very special version of the K-x, which is a particularly colorful model inspired by the so-called Kore Ja Nai robo toy [JP].
All this info got released a little early, so you can head over to the earlier post to get the specs. The news here is that it’s going to be $600 with a kit lens (18-55 f/3.5-5.6). There are a couple more pictures as well. Looks like a solid little camera, and that’s the lowest price for decent DSLR video I can think of as well.
I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this soon, but it looks like someone ate Pentax’s cake today by releasing some details about the upcoming K-x camera, an entry-level DSLR with HD video capability. There are a couple pics and all the vital statistics, but no samples of video or anything like that.
Hello, red. I’m thinking that this unidentified Pentax is probably a limited edition K2000d or the unannounced K-x. You may recall that the company also has the limited edition white and olive drab models too. The red might not be for everyone, but damn, it’s kind of hot. We’ll probably get more info shortly so keep your trousers on. Oh, and nice robot. [Pentax forum via photorumors]
So my “hands-on” post was really more of a “quick look” or a “look at some sample images” post than a hands-on you’ve grown accustomed to from CG, so I thought it wise to have a real hands-on of the Pentax K-7. I’m a Pentax user and I let the fanboy in me get the best of me. Apologies. Now here’s the real hands-on, but before we jump into that, here is the full spec sheet of the K-7 that was used over the weekend at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.
One of the downsides to covering gadgets on a daily basis for as long as I have is the fact that I think everything is crap. Very few things excite me and anything that does usually ends up falling short of my expectations. It’s unfortunate, but once in a blue moon does something not only impress, but also exceed my expectations. Case in point, the Pentax K-7.
Also announced today from Pentax are the P80 and E80 digital cameras.
The 12-megapixel P80 is capable of recording HD video (720p) at 30fps and features an improved face detection function to recognize your mug even when it’s at an angle. Said function can see up to 32 faces in about 0.03 seconds. An ISO of 6400 should help in low light situations. The P80 will be available in September for $200.
Break out the credit card, photogs. Pentax is now shipping the K-7 DSLR body for $1300. You can find the HD shooting, all weatherproof, magnesium alloy shooter at the Pentax Store or Amazon. Adorama and B&H don’t seem to have them in stock yet. My birthday is this weekend, so if one of you could buy this for me that’d be great. K? Thanks.
Why must Pentax Japan deny the US of those badass special edition cameras, like the silver K20D or the camo K2000? Pentax Japan must really hate us because they’ve released a limited run of 300 honey yellow Optio W80s, which were announced last week in a trio of ho-hum colors.
Now, I can’t attest to the legitimacy of this spec list leaked by PhotoRumors, but let’s take a gander at what the GX-30 is purportedly equipped with. Assuming you understand the relationship that Samsung has with Pentax then one would assume that the GX-30 is simply a clone of the recently announced K-7. But is the GX-30 just that? A clone?
I’ve always said that the W-series from Pentax should be the only point and shoot in their lineup, but I, apparently, know nothing of marketing and business strategy.
Today marks the arrival of the optio W80. It’s not only waterproof, but now it’s shockproof, dustproof and coldproof. Dunk it under 16-feet of under, drop it from 3.3-feet high or subject it to sub-freezing temps (14 degrees Fahrenheit) and the W80 will keep on kickin’.
According to Amateur Photographer, Pentax plans to tweak the sensor in the upcoming K-7 before it hits retailers. They’ve held off on their review of a pre-production K-7 after learning from Pentax UK reps that the DSLR would get a modified sensor. We’ve contacted Pentax here in the US to verify this information.
With the K-7 on the way, Pentax looks to be clearing out the K20D DSLR. Pentax has just announced a $100 instant rebate that goes into effect today and runs through till June 20. Two lenses will also see a $100 rebate. After the instant rebate, the K20D will drop down to $700 and the 18-55mm lens and 16-45mm lens will drop down to $780 and $1100, respectively.
With a handful of beta K-7s in the wild, sample images and videos are starting to trickle in from various parts of the world, including Korea, China, Russia, Germany and even my home state of Oregon. I suggest viewing the originals rather than the compressed versions that I’ve used in the post.
Where’s my saltshaker?
Photo Rumors has been tipped off by a reliable source that Samsung plans to announce a new DSLR next month, the GX-30. Keeping in mind the relationship that Samsung has with Pentax, I’d assume it’s just a clone of the newly announced K-7 since the GX-20 was clone of the K20D with a few cosmetic differences.
Happy Tuesday! Hope ya’ll had a good weekend. Just for you, reader, we have some videos of the Pentax K-7 going head to head with the Nikon D3 and an overview from the team at Pentax in Golden, CO. There’s also some talk of new lenses that may or may not reveal what Pentax has in the pipe for their SLR line.
Despite my new found love for manual film SLRs, I can’t help but lust over the new Pentax K-7 that was announced earlier this week. Our good buddy Dan Havlik got a full week with a pre-production model and his positive hands-on of the K-7 gives all of us Pentaxians hope that the seventh gen SLR is going to kick some much needed ass.
The recently announce Pentax K-7 is shaping up nicely. The 14.6-megapixel shooter has an impressive spec list that includes 720p HD video recording, an HDR mode, and a solid body, but the high price of $1,299 took some by surprise. That price is notably more than the new Nikon D5000 and Canon T1i that feature similar specs. An early review by DemsystifyingDigital though gave the camera very high marks despite taking impressions from a pre-production model.
