Camera brand Pentax will soon have a new owner: Tokyo-based Hoya group, which purchased the brand in 2007, is ready to sell [notice of sale as an English PDF] it to Ricoh in October this year. According to Japanese business daily The Nikkei, the office equipment maker plans to pay an estimated US$124 million for Pentax. → Read More
The ultra-tiny Pentax Q is the smallest interchangeable lens camera (which leaked today) in all the land and costs a little over $800, a wild price to pay for a camera that is arguably tiny. Sadly, as Engadget points out, the value for money just isn’t there with a “1/2.3-inch backlit CMOS image sensor” that competes with other compact cameras rather than other cameras from… → Read More
It seems someone hit the “go” button a little early over at Pentax, as for a few brief minutes a new camera called the Q appeared, with pictures and specs. It’s an interchangeable lens system with a rather small sensor (1/2.3″, which is what’s in many point and shoots), though unfortunately no information on the new lens mount (called Q as well) other than the one on… → Read More
Do you think the TOWER RECORDS×PENTAX RAINBOW K-r Pentax showed two days ago was ugly (as quite a few readers do)? Maybe you already own a K-r but just want to beef it up instead of shelling out over $1,000 for an entirely new one? If yes, then check out these new grips Pentax announced [JP] yesterday. → Read More
Another month, another Pentax special edition camera from Japan: the company today announced [JP] the so-called TOWER RECORDS×PENTAX RAINBOW K-r. The device is a follow-up to the TOWER RECORDS × PENTAX RAINBOW K-x from last year. → Read More
Some photos of Pentax’s NC-1 have leaked ahead of the supposed May / June release. If anything, this says they’re close, if not finished, with the smallest mirrorless camera in the world. → Read More
Ahh, this is a nice break after all that iPad 2 craziness. Pentax has released a new mid-range point-and-shoot called the Optio S1, and it’s just a camera. It doesn’t do stuff, it just takes pictures. → Read More
I don’t know what it is about Pentax and special editions, but today the company announced [JP] yet another one, for the K-r. This time, Pentax inked a licensing deal with Tokyo-based San-X to use their star cartoon character, super-cute bear Rilakkuma, in a special version of the camera. → Read More
Despite having only ever used one for a few minutes, I’m a fan of the K-5. It’s a solid-feeling camera, and it’s got a lens selection going back decades. And with Pentax, if you don’t like the look of the camera, wait a few months and they’ll put out one with a new paint job. This month, it’s silver! → Read More
I managed somehow skipped Pentax’s rugged camera when I last did a rugged roundup, but I’m definitely not missing this one. The WG-1 is the “12th rugged generation” camera from Pentax, and looks to be quite a solid piece of kit. It’s just got that rugged look too, you know? → Read More
Pentax seems to have a sweet spot for digital cameras with funky designs, and this time it’s the Pentax K-r that will receive a limited edition treatment. Pentax today announced [JP] the so-called K-r BONNIE PINK MODEL”, a redesigned version of the camera, which was released last year. → Read More
For some reason, Pentax can’t stop making special versions of their digital cameras. In the last few months, for example, they updated their K-x DSLR with a robotic version and one designed in rainbow colors. And today, the company announced [JP] a special model for its successor, the Pentax K-r. It’s a “robotic” camera again, but this one is cooler. → Read More
Hot on the heels of the consumer-level K-r released yesterday, Pentax’s K-5 is making an appearance, though not quite as officially. Some unethical retailers leaked the specs, and Lens Tip found the leaked photo, though they appear to have taken it down. Chances are this thing is right around the corner, probably set to be released next week. → Read More
Pentax just announced two new budget P&S cameras, both of which are quite reasonably priced and ready to go into your purse or pocket for taking snaps of the kids. The RS1000, is customizable based on the color or design you chose, with a removable face plate and free Skinit gift card. Of the two, the RZ10 is a more serious camera, with a choice between four different colors: black, white… → Read More
Pentax has updated its DSLR line with the new K-r, successor to the K-x. The improvements are modest: you’ve got improved ISO range (up to 25600 expanded, but I wouldn’t), a better burst rate (6FPS, which is sweet), and a much-improved LCD (3″ at 640×480). You’ve still got the same 12 megapixels and the 720p video is limited to 25FPS, which is likely what I’d choose anyway (well, 24, but eh). → Read More
The Pentax K-x might be the most colorful camera on Earth. It’s already available in a bunch of colors including a rainbow color scheme and “robotic colors” in Nippon. Now, the US version is getting a few new color options in pink, chocolate, olive, and beige. Who said cameras are boring. [Pentax via Photography Bay] → Read More
It seems Pentax Japan just loves redesigning their K-x digital camera. The company started offering extra-colorful versions of the device last September, followed by another limited edition, a K-x in “robotic colors”, one month later. And today, Pentax unveiled [JP] the so-called TOWER RECORDS × PENTAX RAINBOW K-x, designed in collaboration with – you guessed it – Tower Records in Japan. → Read More
In October last year, Pentax launched a “robotic” version of their K-x entry level digital camera, a colorful variation of the conventional black model. And today, the same company, presented another “creative” approach, the “Camera-man” [JP]. It’s not a new camera (or a special version of an existing device) but a set of accessories, namely a special 52mm lens cap (which shows a smiley) and a… → Read More
In March last year, Pentax unveiled the X70, a 12MP “hybrid” digital camera with 24x optical zoom that currently sells on Amazon for $380. And today Pentax in Tokyo announced [press release in English] the successor, the X90. As to be expected, the new model has been upgraded in some areas. → Read More
We’ve been looking at leaked pictures of this thing for a week or so, but there wasn’t much to say without the specs and all that. Besides, the leaked picture was just a little too muddy to show off the camera’s tasteful styling. But check this thing out: not only is the W90 waterproof to 20ft and shockproof from 4ft, it’s got a ring of LEDs around the lens to help with low light photos or movies. → Read More
Pentax released their seventh generation SLR, the K-7, last summer, and it turned out to be a great camera. And today Hoya Pentax in Japan announced [press release in English] a limited edition of the K-7 (simply dubbed “Limited Silver”) whose main selling points are a silver-colored body and a “golden section ratio” focusing screen. → Read More
So Pentax announced some new cameras today, and while they aren’t going to blow anybody’s mind, I can’t do a disaffected anti-post for every point-and-shoot announcement. And besides, it isn’t Pentax’s fault. Their cool stuff is being saved up for NAB and all that; they can’t release cool lenses and DSLRs every day. So, without further ado, meet the cameras with… → Read More
Well ride with me across the Spanish countryside and call me Sancho Panza: All of Pentax’s Optio cameras have leaked before PMA, revealing very little except a few simple specs for the I-10, H90, and E-90 lines. The I-10, shown here, is very retro with a 5x wide zoom and a 12.1 megapixel sensor. It’s in the Canon G10 vein, with a bit more apparent ruggedness. → Read More
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… → Read More
Pentax just rolled out the K-x late last night, but the official announcement only mentioned black, white, and red models. Bor-ing. Soon the camera will be available in a multiple colors in Japan – but everyone can play with the online creator. → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
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… → Read More
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… → Read More
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. → Read More
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