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 “designs so unique that not one can be labeled as ‘just another silver digital camera.’” (PR people, you’ve outdone yourselves) → 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 Ja Nai robo toy [JP]. → 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
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. → 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
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
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. Pentax Japan → Read More
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? → Read More
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’. → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
