PENTAX ANNOUNCES K10D DIGITAL SLR WITH TEN MEGAPIXELS, SHAKE
REDUCTION AND WEATHER-RESISTANT BODY
GOLDEN, CO. (September 13, 2006)…PENTAX Imaging Company announced today
the PENTAX K10D digital SLR camera with 10.2 effective megapixels and a host
of advanced technologies including a PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR)
system and a weather- resistant body.
Designed to deliver high-quality digital images and responsive operation for
advanced photo enthusiasts, the K10D features an array of PENTAX innovations
in image capture and camera functionality.
The most significant features in the K10D include:
- A PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system that effectively offers
a 2.5 to 4 stop advantage for sharp, blur-free images even under difficult
shooting conditions, such as macro and telephoto photography or low light
settings without a flash. The SR mechanism is designed to minimize camera
shake by oscillating the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at
high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the speed of oscillation
in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by built-in sensors.
As a result, the system does not require special anti-shake lenses and can
be used with more than 24 million PENTAX lenses produced since 1964.*
- A newly-developed Pentax Real IMage Engine (PRIME) designed exclusively
for PENTAX digital SLR cameras to produce well-balanced, true-to-life images. In
order to meet the performance requirement in handling 10 megapixel data,
PENTAX also incorporated a new high performance 22 bit A/D converter to quickly
transfer images with accurate color tones and richer gradation from the CCD
to the imaging engine.
- A new Dust Removal (DR) system incorporating PENTAX-original Special Protect
(SP) coating to help keep the CCD surface dust-free, and a shift mechanism
to shake dust off the CCD.
- A dependable dust-proof, weather-resistant body construction featuring
72 seals throughout the camera to allow photographers to continue shooting
even in dusty or rainy environments.
*Lenses compatible with this mechanism are the PENTAX K-,
KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and
645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be applicable
with certain lenses.
“Advanced photographers will not find another 10
megapixel digital SLR that offers features such as a weather-resistant body,
shake reduction, and great ergonomics, at any price, ” said Ned Bunnell,
director of marketing, PENTAX Imaging Company. “With the K10D introduction,
PENTAX is now able to offer digital SLRs for two important users − the
first time SLR customer who can buy the K100D and now the K10D for the more
advanced users.”
Along with the body, PENTAX announced a D-BG2 battery grip for
exclusive use with the PENTAX K10D. This battery grip can be used in combination
with the camera’s rechargeable lithium-ion batteries to double the camera’s
battery life. With a vertical shutter-release button, preview lever, two control
dials, AE-lock button and green button, the new battery grip makes vertical-position
shooting simple and effortless. It also features the same dust-proof, weather-resistant
construction as the K10D camera body.
PENTAX also announced the smc PENTAX-DA 70mm F2.4
Limited lens, designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras and
featuring an ultra-thin pancake design and uni-focal, medium-telephoto optics. With
a medium-telephoto perspective, this new lens is ideal for many applications
including portraiture and landscape. The high-performance optics ensure outstanding
image quality, and provide distinctive visual expression. Materials used
for this lens are selected for optimum holding comfort and operability, and
the new lens is designed to be extremely thin and lightweight, for go-anywhere
portability for casual, day-to-day snapshot photography.
The K10D body will ship by November 2006 for US
$899.95, and as a kit with the DA 18-55mm lens for US $999.95. The D-BG2
Battery Grip will ship at the same time for less than US $190.00. The
PENTAX DA 70mm lens will ship in October 2006 for less than US $600.00.
K10D Digital SLR FACT SHEET
High-quality image reproduction
The K10D features a large, high-performance 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD
with 10.2 effective megapixels as its image sensor, assuring the reproduction
of true-to-life, rich-gradation images.=
PENTAX-original Shake Reduction mechanism for blur-free images
The K10D is equipped with the exclusive, PENTAX-developed Shake
Reduction (SR) system, which effectively reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free
images even under demanding shooting conditions, such as when using a telephoto
lens, shooting in the dark or at night without supplementary flash illumination,
or using extended exposures for sunset scenes. This innovative mechanism shifts
the position of the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed
using magnetic force, while adjusting the shifting speed in proportion to the
amount of camera shake detected by built-in sensors. It offers an outstanding
compensation effect equivalent to 2.5 to 4 shutter-speed steps. As a result,
it does not require special anti-shake lenses, and can be used with almost
all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses.*
* Lenses compatible with this mechanism are the PENTAX K-,
KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and
645- are 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be applicable
with certain lenses.
Newly developed A/D converter for truthful image data conversion
The K10D incorporates a high-performance A/D converter, which
faithfully converts the analog data collected by the CCD image sensor into
digital data. With the highest resolving power (22 bits, or 4.2 million gradations)
among all existing digital cameras, it offers a digital-conversion capacity
1,024 times greater than conventional 12-bit, 4,096-gradation A/D converters.
Newly designed PRIME imaging engine
The K10D incorporates the new PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine)
as its imaging engine. Designed exclusively for PENTAX digital SLR cameras,
this new imaging engine produces well-balanced, true-to-life images through
efficient control of CCD signals, saturation, brightness, white balance, sharpness
and contrast. Its new memory (DDR2: Double Data Rate 2) also serves to enhance
speedy image processing and high-speed data transfer.
Dust Removal system to help keep the CCD surface dust-free
The K10D features the new Dust Removal (DR) system to prevent
dust from sticking to the surface of the CCD image sensor (or low-pass filter).
Applied to the CCD surface through a vapor deposition process of a fluorine
compound, the PENTAX-original Special Protect (SP) coating effectively prevents
dust and stains from adhering to the surface. In the next step, dust that still
remains on the surface will be shaken off when the SR system shifts the CCD
at high speed. The dust that is shaken off the CCD will fall onto an adhesive
sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility
of its returning to the CCD surface.
Dust-proof, weather-resistant construction
The K10D boasts a reliable dust-proof, weather-resistant construction,
with special seals applied to 72 different parts of the camera body, including
the shutter release button and switches/levers/dials. This dependable body
makes it possible to use the K10D in the rain or at dusty locations without
worries.
Original exposure system for faithful reproduction of creative
intentions
Hyper Program function
The K10D’s Hyper Program function allows the user to instantly
switch to the Shutter-Priority AE (Tv) mode or Aperture-Priority AE (Av) mode
from the Program AE mode, with a simple turn of the electronic dials on the
grip (one on the front for index-finger control, and the other on
(more)
PENTAX K10D Digital SLR FACTS
2-2-2
the back for thumb control). To return to the Program AE mode,
simply press the green button positioned next to the shutter release button.
Hyper Manual function
When shooting in the Metered Manual mode, a single push of the
green button allows the user to instantly set the proper exposure for the subject.
Sensitivity-Priority mode:
The K10D features a new Sensitivity-Priority AE (Sv) mode, which
is designed to automatically select the optimum combination of aperture and
shutter speed for user-selected sensitivity. The sensitivity can be shifted
instantly (in 1/2 or 1/3 steps) by turning the electronic dial. Since this
mode eliminates the need to recall a menu screen for sensitivity changes, the
photographer can react more quickly to changing photographic conditions.
Shutter & Aperture-Priority mode:
Another exposure mode offered by the K10D is Shutter & Aperture-Priority
AE (TAv) mode, which is designed to automatically select the most appropriate
sensitivity for a user-selected shutter-speed & aperture combination.
Bright, clear viewfinder
Featuring a glass pentaprism, the K10D’s viewfinder offers
a 96-percent field of view and a 0.95-times magnification for easy viewing
of the subject and effortless confirmation of focus and composition. Coupled
with the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen, it delivers a large,
bright subject image.
Auto sensitivity control up to ISO 1600
The K10D’s auto sensitivity control function automatically sets the
optimum sensitivity up to ISO 1600, based on such data as the subject’s
brightness level and the lens’ focal length. Since this function allows
the use of higher shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor
sports events and night scenes), it helps the photographer to effectively reduce
camera shake and prevent blurred images. For specialized applications, the
sensitivity can be set manually from ISO 100 to ISO 1600.
Continuous shooting at approximately 3 images per second
To trace the movement of an active subject or capture a sequence
of the subject’s expressions, the K10D offers a continuous shooting mode
that allows the photographer to capture a series of images at a maximum speed
of approximately 3 images per second. In the JPEG recording format, the user
is allowed to take as many images in succession as wished, until the capacity
of an SD memory card runs out, or in RAW mode up to 9 images at 3.0 fps.
Reliable shutter unit
The K10D’s shutter unit is designed to withstand nearly
100,000 releases, while assuring high-precision operation over the entire shutter-speed
range — up to a top speed of 1/4000 second. It also features a flash
synchronization speed of 1/180 second for more versatile flash photography.
11-point wide-frame AF
The K10D’s sophisticated SAFOX VIII autofocus system features
11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) to
automatically focus on the subject with utmost precision, even when it is positioned
off center. The in-focus sensor point is automatically superimposed in red
in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation.
Extra-large, wide-view LCD monitor
The K10D incorporates an extra-large 2.5 inch color LCD monitor
on its back panel. Its wide-view design allows the photographer to check the
monitor image from 140 degrees both vertically and horizontally, ensuring effortless
image viewing even from a diagonal position. With approximately 210,000 pixels,
it also offers digital zooming of playback images up to 20 times for easy confirmation
of the image’s focusing status and details.
Compatibility with supersonic motor-driven lenses
The K10D is designed to be compatible with supersonic motor-driven
autofocus lenses (currently under development), which are expected to provide
smoother, quieter autofocus operation than conventional lenses.
Additional features:
- Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and
spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
- High-rigidity stainless-steel chassis
- 32 custom functions to personalize camera operations
- Extended bracket function to capture three images of the same subject at
different contrast, saturation, sharpness or white-balance levels
- Compatibility with conventional SD memory cards and newly introduced SDHC
memory cards
- Choice of two preview functions (digital/optical)
- Simultaneous recording of RAW and JPEG images
- Manual fine adjustment of white balance
- Day-by-day folders to simplify the arrangement and search of recorded images
- Six built-in digital filters (Black-and-white, Sepia, Slim, Soft, Brightness
and Color) for easy editing of recorded images
