Pentax has announce the launch of the Pentax K-x, a new lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera. This new model combines solid photographic performance with a wide array of advanced features, including Live View function and high-quality movie recording, extending high-quality digital SLR photography to all users. Its compact, lightweight body also enhances portability and maneuverability, making it ideal for many different photographic occasions.

The K-x design is based on the Pentax K-m, an entry-class digital SLR camera launched in October 2008 that early on gained popularity for its compact, lightweight body and simple, user-friendly operations. With the addition of a newly designed CMOS image sensor and an upgraded high-performance imaging engine, the K-x offers outstanding photographic performance at nearly the same level as upper-class models. This includes high-resolution, fine-detailed images delivered by approximately 12.4 effective megapixels, super-high-sensitivity photography and high-speed continuous shooting. The K-x also features an array of advanced functions, including Live View shooting and movie recording. It also provides a pair of handy functions designed to produce highly personalized images with great ease: an upgraded digital filter function to accommodate more sophisticated image processing, and a new cross process mode to produce unexpected, eye-catching finishing touches with unique, intriguing colors. The K-x is not only the perfect camera for first-time digital SLR camera users, but also serves as the ideal backup camera for more experienced photographers.

Along with the K-x, Pentax will also launch the smc Pentax-DA L 55-300mmF4-5.8ED super-telephoto zoom lens as part of the K-x Twin Lens Kit package. This zoom lens was designed to be lightweight without compromising the exceptional optical performance common to all Pentax lenses, making super-telephoto photography easier and smoother for K-x users.

PENTAX K-x FACT SHEET

12.4 effective megapixels

The K-x incorporates a newly developed CMOS image sensor to assure high-speed image data readout and more flexibility with varying ISO sensitivity levels. With approximately 12.4 effective megapixels, this image sensor accurately reproduces true-to-life images with fine detail and rich color depth. The

K-x offers a wide sensitivity range between ISO 200 and ISO 6400 and allows users to expand the sensitivity range between ISO 100 and ISO 12800 via a custom function to offer greater creative freedom to photographers.

Compact, lightweight body

The PENTAX K-x is one of the most compact, lightweight digital SLR cameras in its class. The   stainless-steel chassis and overall design offer a space-efficient layout.

Widescreen HD movie recording at 1280x720 pixels at a cinematic 24 frames per second (720p24)

The PENTAX K-x movie recording function* captures true-to-life movie clips in 16:9 high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels) at a frame rate of 24 frames per second. Compatible with every PENTAX interchangeable lens ever made, the Video Capture mode opens a new world of creativity for PENTA K-x owners.

* When the PENTAX K-x’s AV output terminal is used, movie clips are viewed at normal resolution. The data must be transferred to a PC for the playback of movie clips at high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels).

PENTAX-original SR mechanism for sharp, blur-free images

The K-x features the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction mechanism that effectively compensates for the adverse effects of camera shake by as much as four shutter steps. This innovative mechanism extends its benefits to all PENTAX interchangeable lenses — even those designed for film-format cameras.*  With this SR mechanism, the K-x produces sharp, blur-free images even under demanding conditions such as telephoto lens photography, shooting in dark or low-light setting without a flash illumination, and sunset scenes.

*Lenses compatible with this mechanism: PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2- and KAF3-mount lenses; screw-mounted lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be available with certain lenses.

High-speed continuous shooting at approximately 4.7 images per second

The K-x’s high-speed continuous shooting mode records as many as 17 images (in JPEG recording format) at a maximum speed of approximately 4.7 images per second. This is the fastest of all entry-class models. The K-x also features a more reliable shutter unit, which passed a demanding action test of more than 100,000 shutter releases.   The top shutter speed of 1/6000 second allows the photographer to preserve sharp, crisp images of fast-moving subjects.

High-performance, high-speed PRIME II imaging engine

The K-x features the newly developed PRIME (PENTAX Real IMage Engine) II, that is an upgrade of the original PRIME imaging engine. This new imaging engine offers greater data processing speed and enhanced capability to produce higher-quality images with richer, more accurate color rendition, as well as faster transmission speed of movie data.

Live View function with Face detection of up to 16 faces

In addition to the camera’s viewfinder, the K-x features a Live View function that allows users to view subjects on the LCD monitor during shooting.   The K-x also offers a choice of three different focusing modes in Live View:

·         Contrast Auto Focus optimizes the focus based on the subject’s contrast.

·         Face Detection Auto Focus automatically detects up to 16 faces, then selects the main subject’s face from multiple faces, and captures it in sharp focus.

·         Phase Difference Auto Focus accesses the AF sensor positioned in the camera body to optimize focus on the subject.

Innovative Image Processing Functions

Digital Filter function

The K-x’s digital filter function allows users to process recorded images in a variety of creative ways within the camera and produce highly creative visual expressions. With a choice of 16 different filters including Color Extract, Retro, Soft, Starburst, Toy Camera, and more (including a custom filter for building multiple effects), photographers may apply multiple filters to a single image for customized effects.

Cross Process mode

The K-x features a new Cross Process mode that automatically and randomly adds finishing touches to  exposures to create eye-catching images with unique, intriguing colors (just like images treated with Cross Process* in film photography).  This mode adds a whimsical element  to digital photography since photographers don’t know the results until the captured image is actually displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor.

* A film development technique that takes advantage of unconventional film developers to create a distinctive finishing touch with intriguing colors.

High-precision 11-point AF sensor

The high-precision, wide-frame SAFOX VIII autofocus system of the K-x features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) to automatically capture even off-centered subjects in sharp, crisp focus.   Photographers also may select one of the sensors as a focusing point to accommodate specialized applications.

Additional features

·         Custom Image modes offer high quality processing for images

·         2.7 inch, high-resolution color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots of resolution

·         Auto Picture mode for effortless, automatic selection of the most appropriate shooting mode, even during Live View shooting

·         Status screen for easy, at-a-glance confirmation of various settings on the LCD monitor

·         Ten scene modes, including Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Sunset, Kids, Museum, and more, available via simple icon selection

·         PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 software package, with RAW-data processing and image browser functions

smc PENTAX-DA L 55-300mmF4-5.8ED Lens Fact Sheet

A lightweight super-telephoto zoom lens for focal lengths between 84.5mm and 460mm (in the 35mm format)

ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements to assure true-to-life image descriptions and faithful color renditions through effective compensation of chromatic aberrations over the entire zoom range.

SPECIFICATIONS

Focal Length 55-300mm (Equivalent to 84.5-460mm in 35mm format)

Aperture F4-5.8

Minimum Aperture F22-32

Lens Construction 12 elements in 8 groups

Angle of View 29 - 5.4° (wiith PENTAX D-SLR camera body)

Minimum Focusing Distance 4.6 ft.

Maximum Magnification 0.28X

Filter Diameter 58mm

Diaphragm control Fully Automatic

Number of Diaphragm Blades 6

Maximum Diameter & Minimum Length 2.8 x 4.4 in

Weight 15.0 oz.

Notes Includes SP (Super Protect) Coating