According to Photo-rumors, Pentax is going to announce tomorrow a new SLR photo camera named Pentax K-X. Its most prominent features are going to be:
- 12.4 MP CMOS APS-C sensor (Aspect Ratio 3:2)
- Sensitivity: ISO 100-6400 (exp. 12800 ISO)
- Shutter speed: 30s – 1/6000s, Flash Sync at 1/180s
- Live View mode with options: Contrast Detection AF with face recognition option
- Movie/Video capture with Mono-Audio recording (with built-in microphone),
- Supported video modes: 1280 x 720 Pixels (16:9 Standard High Definition), 640 x 416 (3:1.95), all modes at 24 frames per second
- Rear LCD screen: 2.7″ LCD, 230,000 colour dots
- Metering System: 16-segment
- AF System: SAFOX VIII AF System (11-Point, 9 Crossed)
- Focusing modes: AF-S, AF-C, AF-auto, MF; Via dedicated focusing mode selector level
- Dedicated AF button
- Built-in Flash: Auto-Manual pop-up, GN12 @ ISO 100
- Shake Reduction: in-body, by sensor displacement
- HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode (One composite image from 3 exposure-bracketed images)
- IR Remote Control, with front receiver
- Lenses: Pentax KAF2 compatible (K-mount, support AF KAF and SDM KAF2/KAF3 lenses)
- Viewfinder: Glass pentamirror, with 96% image coverage, 0.85x magnification
- Battery: compatible with AA batteries and AA-type recarcheable NiMH and alcaline batteries
- Storage Media: SD and SDHC cards
- Dimensions: 130.5(W) x 96.5(H) x 72.5(D) mm (5.1 x 3.8 x 2.9 inches)
- Weight: 516g (18.2 oz.), Body Only (without battery and SD card)
This makes it a quite nice little buddy. It seems that Pentax is aiming at a low cost (e.g. plastics rather than magnesium alloy, only 2.7″ LCD), but the photo features are going to be real fine: fast shutter, top sensitivity (up to 12800 ISO), top-of-the-line AF system.
The Pentax K-X camera should appeal to those who are not ready to compromise on the photo quality but have a tight budget. In these back-to-school times of recession-frozen salaries, it should be stealing a lot of attention.