New from Pentax: K-5 II DSLR and Q10 Digital Cameras, Four Lenses and an Adapter

K-5 II HDSLR Digital Camera

The new 16.3-megapixel Pentax K-5 II DSLR camera will replace the current Pentax K-5 in Pentax’s DSLR lineup. It features a 16.3-megapixel CMOS image sensor with integrated AD conversion circuitry, which works with Pentax’s PRIME II Imaging Engine to deliver high-resolution, rich-gradation digital images. It has a stainless-steel chassis that is wrapped in magnesium-alloy covers, and the camera is fully weather sealed.

The K-5 II features an air-gap-free, scratch-resistant, 3-inch LCD monitor with 921K-dot resolution, as well as a Pentax body-based Shake Reduction (SR) image stabilization system. The K-5 II also features a Pentaprism viewfinder, which offers 100% field of view and 0.92x magnification. It is equipped with an SFOX X TTL phase-difference 11-point wide autofocus system with light wavelength sensors.

The K-5 II supports an 80-51200 ISO range with minimal noise. It can capture Full HD 1920 x 1080p HD video at 25 fps and HD 1280 x 720p video at 30 or 25 fps. For recording audio, there is a 3.5mm microphone jack for connecting an external mic. The camera also supports up to 7 fps continuous shooting for capturing action shots. The K-5 II features TTL open-aperture metering with a choice of 77-Segment, Center-Weighted or Spot metering. It has a shutter speed range from 1/8000 second to 30 seconds in 1/3 or 1/2 steps. It also features a wide range of in-camera image processing and special effects filters including Toy Camera, Retro and High-Contrast.

The new Pentax K-5 II HDSLR affords HDMI connectivity and it’s compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards. It offers native support for Pentax PEF and Adobe DNG 14-bit RAW image files. And, the K-5 II features a customizable RAW/Fx button as well. It supports in-camera HDR image capture for multi-exposure, wide dynamic range shooting. Plus, it features a built-in electronic level with tilt scale display.

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DA 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 ED SDM Lens

Pentax has also announced two new K-mount lenses that will work with the K-5 II, as well as other K-mount compatible cameras. The first is the Pentax DA 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 ED SDM lens, which is an all-around lens with 15x zoom range and 35mm-equivalent 27.5-414mm focal length. It features Pentax’s SDM autofocus system, which is driven by a built-in supersonic motor that supports quiet and smooth autofocus operation. It also features two extra-low dispersion (ED) lens elements that minimize image distortion. Plus, the lens supports a minimum focusing distance of 1.48 feet over the entire zoom range. It has rounded diaphragm blades as well, which afford smooth bokeh in the out-of-focus areas of the image, while also minimizing the streaking effect from point light sources.

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DA 560mm f/5.6 ED AW HD Lens

The other new Pentax K-mount lens is the HD Pentax DA 560mm f/5.6 ED AW HD super-telephoto lens with a 35mm-equivalent 859mm focal length. The lens has an AF driving motor installed in its barrel, which promotes smooth autofocus operation. It also features a multi-layer HD Coating, yielding sharp and clear images free of flare and ghosting. The telescope-type optical design and two extra-low dispersion (ED) lens elements limit chromatic aberration around the image, and its rounded diaphragm blades provide smooth bokeh in the out-of-focus areas. The lens barrel is also equipped with a removable C-PL circular polarizing filter holder for using filters that further reduce unwanted reflections. The lens also features 29 special seals that make it both dust and weather resistant. Plus, the white finish on the lens barrel minimizes the amount of heat haze generated inside the lens.

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Q10 12.4MP Digital Camera

Another Pentax camera that has just been announced is the Q10 compact digital camera, which accepts interchangeable lenses. The Q10 is compatible with the Pentax Q-mount lens system. It’s equipped with a 12.4-megaixpel, backlit CMOS image sensor that is designed to achieve low noise at high levels of sensitivity for 12-bit DNG RAW and JPEG files. Plus, an upgraded autofocus algorithm provides fast, accurate autofocus. The Q10 supports Full HD 1920 x 1080p video capture at 30 fps with H.264 compression. It has a 3-inch LCD monitor with wide viewing angles and 460K-dot resolution.

The camera features a sensor-shift Shake Reduction system with integrated DRII Dust Reduction for blur- and dust-free images—even in low light. It has a built-in pop-up flash as well, which can cover up to 23-feet at ISO 200. The Q10 also has a micro HDMI output and a USB 2.0 port. If you’re looking for a compact camera that shares several qualities of an HDSLR, then the Q10 is worth consideration. It supports traditional DSLR shooting modes including P, Av, Tv and M, as well as powerful automatic modes including Auto Picture and Scene. Plus, it can capture 5 fps in the continuous shooting mode.

The Q10 also features a Smart Effects function, which offers nine distinctive effects that let you add a desired finishing touch to an image, while also being able to preview the effect on the LCD monitor. You can assign your favorite Smart Effect modes in advance. And, the Custom Image and Digital Filter functions have been further enhanced to provide an even greater range of image-processing tools.

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Pentax 06 Telephoto Zoom Lens & Adapter Q for K-Mount Lenses

Pentax is also releasing a new lens and an adapter that are compatible with the new Q10 digital camera and other Q-mount digital cameras as well. The Pentax 06 Telephoto 15-45mm f/2.8 zoom lens features a maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. It has two extra-low dispersion (ED) lens elements and one super-low dispersion glass element. The compact, 3.2-ounce lens is 2.2 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. It features a Quick-Shift focus system, which affords instant switching into manual focus. Plus, a SuperProtect (SP) coating covers the front surface of the lens optics.

Pentax 06 Telephoto Zoom Lens	Pentax Adapter Q

The Pentax Adapter Q for K-Mount Lenses lets you use Pentax K-Mount lenses on a Pentax Q Series camera. The adapter multiplies focal length by approximately 5.5 times, converting a Pentax-DA 300mm f/4 ED SDM telephoto lens into a 1650mm (35mm equivalent) super-telephoto lens. It also features a built-in mechanical shutter, which prevents rolling shutter distortion when shooting action at high speeds. The adapter supports a shutter speed range from 1/1000 of a second to 30 seconds. It allows manual aperture control and is compatible with in-camera Shake Reduction image stabilization systems by inputting the focal length of the mounted lens. It features five shutter blades and weighs 5.1-ounces.

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Pentax D FA 645 Macro 90mm f/2.8 ED AW SR HD Lens

Another new addition that has just been announced from Pentax is the D FA 645 Macro 90mm f/2.8 ED AW SR HD Lens. It is a medium focal length lens (71mm in 35mm equivalent), which is ideal for portraits and extreme close-up macro photography. The fast f/2.8 aperture allows for ample depth-of-field control and its rounded diaphragm blades promote smooth bokeh in out-of-focus areas at large apertures. The lens also features a Quick-Shift Focus System, which lets you quickly switch between auto and manual focusing. Plus, similar to Nikon’s N-Coating and Canon’s Sub Wavelength Coating, this Pentax lens features an Aero Bright Coating, which provides flare suppression and limits reflections. It’s also the beneficiary of an HD Coating, which optimizes light transmission and provides sharp, flare- and ghost-free images. The durable lens features a SuperProtect (SP) Coating as well, which provides dust and weather resistance. It also has a Shake Reduction (SR) mechanism for image stabilization installed.