From World Pentax Day, Oct. 10, 2009

"Brooklyn Heights Vintage Bike"

K20D, DA 18-55mm II @ 28mm, f4, 1/80, ISO 400

Link: All Photos For World Pentax Day, Oct 10th, 2009

World Pentax Day and SyncSnap

PentaxForums have organized another World Pentax Day for Saturday Oct. 10th. If you have a Pentax camera, get out there and take some pictures to share. Then within the next 2 weeks, submit your photos to the special online gallery at PentaxForums.com (with everyone else's photos taken on that same day) and bask in the communal glory (or your monitor's glow). Easy as pie!

If 24 hrs is just too much time and you need stricter deadlines, next week is the official Pentax SyncSnap: October 17th at 12am GMT. You just have one minute to commemorate the event.

Don't neglect your old cameras for the events. I think I might take out my old Pentax ME Super. However, the new Pentax K-7 has a special $100 rebate this month in the U.S. and could probably, maybe, take a good picture. Or so I've heard. (DP Review: Highly Recommended)

World Pentax Day: Oct. 10th, 2009

1. Although you may submit entries at any time, the photo must be taken on Pentax Day (October 10th, 2009), between midnight and midnight in your time zone. Please leave all EXIF information intact. You may submit up to three photos.

2. The photo must be taken with a Pentax camera (DSLR, Film, or compact)

3. The photo's largest dimension should be between 800 and 900 pixels.

4. The photo should be submitted to the PentaxForums.com User Photo Gallery. Click the "Upload" link located in the navbar to add your photo. You must be logged in. You will be able to upload between 10/10/2009 and 10/24/2009. After this period, only viewing will be allowed for the event gallery. The gallery is located here: http://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/category-26-pentaxium-world-pentax-day-october-2009.html

SyncSnap : October 17th, 2009 at exactly* 12am midnight GMT. 

What is the World SyncSnap? The World SyncSnap is a chance for Pentax users around the world to snap their shutters in unison, capturing our images all at the same time. Think of it as the Pentaxium’s little brother. Where the Pentaxium lasts one entire day, the SyncSnap begins and ends within the blink of an eye…or, more appropriately, the opening and closing of a shutter.

How does it work? You’re given the date and time of the SyncSnap for the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) time zone. All you need to do is adjust the date and time for your time zone, grab your Pentax camera, and snap your shutter at exactly the right moment, along with the rest of us.

GMT is not adjusted for daylight savings. Use this site to figure out what time it will be in your area with respect to GMT: GMT: Greenwich Mean Time - World Time / Time in every Time Zone

Where do I post my photograph? There is a dedicated event category in our gallery at this URL: User Photo Gallery - Pentax World SyncSnap. When uploading your photo, title it with the following information:

Event number, your username, and the location where the image was captured.

Example, If you captured the image in Philadelphia, PA, USA:

SyncSnap1, DanLoc78, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Make sure you also specify what lens and camera was used in the fields provided. The camera must be a Pentax!

*Try your best to capture your photo at the exact time specified. A few seconds off here or there doesn’t really matter.

SyncSnap Time Key, adjusted for DST in the US:

London, 12:00am, Saturday 17th, Oct.
Central Europe, 1.:00am, Saturday 17th, Oct.
Sydney, 11:00am, Saturday 17th, Oct.
Brisbane, 10:00am, Saturday 17th, Oct.
New York, 8.00pm, Friday 16th, Oct.
LA,5.00pm, Friday 16th, Oct.

Pentax K-7 Designer's Notes: Takeharu Shin, Development Dept. User Interface Designer

Here is the second of the "designer's notes" from Pentax's team that built the K-7. These notes come from Pentax Japan and are reproduced here as translated by Pentax (I've touched it up a bit where the translation was a little problematic). Using the K-m as inspiration for button locations, customizing the use of the OK button to quickly change ISO (in addition to the new ISO button), and making digital filters easier to combine were all a part of the strategy for the Pentax K-7.

Mr. Takeharu Shin

In charge of User Interface of K-7, 1st Development Team
Pentax Imaging System Division, Development Department

Single-handed operation

Once the basic camera body design was completed, the user-interface designers turned their attention to the K-7’s operation system. Again, the downsized body and the incorporation of a large three-inch LCD panel on the back were major challenges, and the designers soon realized that they could not use the controller layout employed in the K20D and other models.

The solution was found rather easily, in the single-handed operation system featured in the K-m, an entry-class model that went through drastic downsizing. After discussing the feasibility with the camera body designers and mechanical engineers, it was confirmed that they were working in the same direction. Soon, the user-interface designers started designing for the ideal positions to install two electronic dials, so that they could adopt the two-dial configuration used in Pentax’s medium-class models to accommodate single-handed operation.

In fact, a medium-class model requires more controllers than an entry-class model, so it was physically impossible to place all of them on the grip side. Even if they could fit within a limited space, they would be placed so close together that they would be impractical to use. The decision was made to classify the controllers into two groups: those for shooting, and those for playback. The former group would be placed on the grip side of the camera’s back panel, while the latter would be positioned at the left shoulder of the back panel. This layout successfully allowed single-handed control of all shooting modes.

New independent ISO button, added to complete the direct-access exposure control system

One Pentax concept is to promote the active use of ISO sensitivity as a parameter for deciding exposure in digital photography. To support this, we created the innovative Sv and TAv exposure modes for the K10D. This concept has been inherited by every Pentax digital SLR camera marketed since.

However, the conventional operations for setting sensitivity were somewhat troublesome, because they were classified only as one of the settings controllable via the Fn (function) button. That's why we have incorporated more efficient controls through firmware updates: the desired ISO sensitivity can now be selected manually by rotating the front electronic dial while depressing the OK button; the auto-sensitivity control mode can be set by pushing the green button while depressing the OK button.

To further facilitate sensitivity setting operations, a new ISO button was added to the K-7, positioned side-by-side with the ± (exposure compensation) button just behind the shutter release button. This layout gives the user direct access to all essential exposure parameters — aperture, shutter speed, sensitivity and exposure compensation.

Newly equipped ISO button. All the necessary settings for exposure can now be accessed directly by one push of the button.

To make user customization of the Pentax-original two-dial control system easier, the K-7’s status screen is programmed to display aperture, shutter-speed, sensitivity and exposure-compensation settings as its main data. As a result, the user can check the customization status of the two electronic dials with just a quick glance.

More versatile four-way controller

Following the thorough review of controller layout, several shooting functions are now assigned to the K-7’s four-way controller keys, with each of the four keys featuring an icon representing the function assigned to it for easy, at-a-glance recognition. These keys also give direct access to the desired functions to facilitate setting changes, further enhancing the camera’s operability.

Print icons of each function on the 4 way controller, making it easy to use and easy to understand.

One setback, however, was that these controller keys are also used to shift the AF sensor point during shooting.* To solve this problem, the four-way controller keys can be switched back and forth to perform two different functions: either to recall shooting functions, or to shift the AF sensor point. The user-selected function can then be easily confirmed on the status screen and in the viewfinder. One benefit of this double-function system is that the user can lock the AF sensor point, after it is shifted to the desired position.

(*This issue caused a lot of consternation when the camera was released, and was subsequently refined with firmware release 1.01 - Michael)

The making of a true multi-function camera that satisfies diversified different user requirements

In addition to the drastic layout change of the controller system, a wide range of user-interfaces had to be newly developed for the K-7, including start-up, control and ending steps of different modes and display steps of various information — especially to handle real-time live-view shooting and movie recording. Along with the new design and upgraded hardware, many of the camera’s software programs had to be reviewed and reprogrammed as well to handle the new or upgraded functions. Since the K-7’s controllers have a different layout than previous models, a great deal of time and effort was needed to synchronize them and make them user-friendly.

For instance, the digital filter function — very well received with the K-m — had to be revised, because the user could not review which filters had been used after the image was processed. The K-7’s digital filter function was designed to be far more user-friendly and practical, including new features such as the history function of digital filters applied, a review function for multiple filter application steps, and a quick search function for an original image before any application of digital filters. This should encourage users to make more aggressive use of the digital filter function and create more dramatic, personalized images. And, thanks to the incorporation of the Pentax-original SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, the K-7 features new fine image-composition adjustment and auto level compensation functions. Add to these such sophisticated functions as digital level, HDR (High Dynamic Range) and lens optical characteristics compensation, it’s easy to understand just how much the K-7 design and development team had to pack everything into the camera’s compact body!

Now you can see the history of the digital filters applied to a given image.

A wide range of user customization is available with the K-7, giving it the flexibility to meet nearly every user requirements. With so much to choose from, the photographer will be able to find the exact combination of settings to meet their specific visual goals and operational preferences.

Pentax paid very close attention even to the most minute elements of camera design, because we believe that even the smallest feature could affect the K-7’s operability and maneuverability. For instance, the front electronic dial is slightly slanted for easier access by the index finder, and both electronic dials are completely coated by a rubber material to prevent slippage. The design of the wing — the hollow finger hook area to accept the photographer’s left-hand fingers — was redesigned to provide a firmer, more comfortable hold of the camera.

The meaning of the single-digit

The K-7 is the first Pentax K-series digital SLR camera with a single-digit product name — and there’s a good reason for this. The strength of a single number signifies Pentax’s pride and confidence in this new camera, and once you start shooting pictures with the K-7, you’ll immediately understand why.

Previously: Toshihiro Hamamura, K-7 Product Designer

Pentax K-7 Designer's Notes: Toshihiro Hamamura, Development Dept. Product Designer

Here is the first of the "designer's notes" from Pentax's team that built the K-7. These notes come from Pentax Japan and are reproduced here as translated by Pentax. It's interesting that among the details they doted over was the return to a trapezoid style for the pentaprism housing, which is a nod to the rich history of Pentax's SLR cameras.

Toshihiro Hamamura

In charge of K-7 product design
Pentax Imaging System Division Design Group, Development Department

The goal is a camera body that is the perfect partner for exclusive Limited-series lenses

At first glance, the Pentax K-7’s body may look quite different from that of previous K-series models. Unlike the delicately contoured, streamlined design employed from the K10D to the K-m, it makes use of more straight lines and shape-angled edges. However, the K-7 is not a sudden, accidental metamorphosis from previous K-series models: it is the proud successor of a Pentax legacy that dates back to the peak days of film photography.

At the beginning of the development of the K-7, the camera body designers assigned to the project team were given two formidable goals to achieve. First was to design a camera body that would make it the perfect partner for top-of-the-line Limited-series lenses — invaluable assets for Pentax. Second, to downsize the camera body to the dimensions of the *ist-D (as the K20D was felt by many to be too cumbersome). In short, these goals were set to make the K-7 the flagship model of Pentax’s digital camera lineup.

The *ist-D certainly was a good standard for size, because it was — and is — one of the smallest digital cameras ever sold. The times have changed since it was released, however. The body designers had to pack many more components — including a large three-inch LCD panel, in-body shake-reduction unit and new aperture-control mechanism — into the same dimensions. If the body designers had made a conventional approach to the design of the K-7 chassis, it was obvious even at the pre-design stage that everything wouldn’t fit into the space available.

Collaboration between design and engineering teams

The K-7 design team began a collaboration with the mechanical engineering team, even before the actual design process began. This included the sharing of 3D CAD data, and joint efforts to devise the most space-efficient layout and placement of all the components. Simply packing everything into the available space was not good enough; this might have a negative affect on the camera’s appearance or operability. The designers knew that good camera design had to start with a well-conceived chassis, before they could then begin adding on other parts and housings.

Protoypes using 3D CAD

One of the fruits of this collaboration was a shortening of the forward protrusion of the built-in flash storage compartment. In previous models, the flash discharge unit was positioned in the very front, meaning that the storage compartment also had to protrude considerably toward the front end. After reviewing and revising the positioning and layout of all internal parts, they were able to reduce this protrusion. Another stroke of luck was that one of the mechanical engineers designing the unit was relatively new to SLR design. So, unlike more experienced engineers, he was freer to use his imagination rather than be bound by conventional ideas.

Making conclusions based solely on design plans often means poor results. Because K-7 designers modeled the camera using three-dimensional CAD technology at every stage from the start of work, mock-ups were available from the initial stages.

Simple is best

The most important design goal for the K-7 was a camera body that would be a perfect partner for Limited-series lenses. In other words, the camera body had to have a design simple enough to make the Limited-series lens mounted on it stand out.

The pentaprism unit — a focal point of the camera body — was traditionally polyhedron-shaped, symbolizing the glass pentaprism it housed and demonstrating the camera’s role as a precision instrument. The K-7 shares the same characteristics as the LX, Pentax’s flagship camera in the film photography era: both have been designed to be compact and lightweight, and feature sturdy, water resistant bodies. Out of respect for this renowned masterpiece, the trapezoid motif over the Pentax logo mark was revived.

This trapezoid was also used in other models in the past, including the MZ-5, MZ-S and *ist-D. The cameras carrying this shape had varied product concepts — some were compact, lightweight models developed by returning to PENTAX’s starting point as an SLR pioneer, while others were epoch-making models born out of bold challenges. They were all, however, the first models of new lineups and marked a deviation from the past. Although designed simple and plain, the trapezoid plane featured in the K-7 symbolizes the fact that this new camera belongs to the same category as those predecessors and shares the same Pentax identity and legacy with them.

Looking at the K-7 from the side, the ridge line of this pentaprism unit is simple and straight, without any obstructing indents or folds. Stair-step indents can in fact make the body appear smaller, but this visual approach was rejected with the K-7 because it could spoil the simplicity of design. The main body was trimmed down to the point where the chassis was nearly exposed in some sections. All these features make the K-7’s optical finder, with 100% field of view, appear prominent, and give the body a prestigious and dignified look, despite the compact dimensions.

A touch of analog in digital design

Fine tuning the grip with clay mockups

Clay Model 3D Mockup

Many cameras in recent years have been designed using only three-dimensional CAD technology. For the K-7, however, there was one section that could not be designed using digital tools only: the grip. Despite today’s state-of-the-art computer technology, camera body designers cannot stick their hand into the CAD screen and actually touch the product or feel its weight. And, in fact, when the designers first picked up a mock-up constructed using only three-dimensionally digital data, the feeling was rather uncomfortable. They then added modeling clay to the grip section of the mock-up and redesigned it. When a designer is familiar with the hand-modeling process, it is in fact much faster and easier to reshape by hand, rather than revise the computer data. Once they were satisfied with what they were feeling, the mock-up was laser-scanned and the 3D measurement data was fed back into the CAD system. Because of this, the K-7’s grip was designed to be as comfortable and easy to hold as a K10D grip with a special rubber replacement grip (installed as an after-service by a Pentax service center).

“This is actually a problem for us, because we can no longer expect much profit from the grip replacement service!” joked one of the designers — but the fact is that the K-7’s grip is designed to be just that good.

Next: Takeharu Shin, K-7 Interface Designer

Mixed Reaction to Japanese K-x Custom Colors Is Still Success

Generally, people are impressed by Pentax bending the status quo by offering bold colors for the K-x. It's good buzz. Even though no one seems to agree on which option to choose, I think the consensus has been that it's been exciting to at least have the opportunity to choose a K-x in one of 100 color combinations available in Japan. Read the comments at Online Photographer to get a sense of the elite sarcasm brigade who are disappointed in the lack of zebra stripe options.

I'll admit, I'd pay a $100 premium to have that option available to me in the U.S. if they could do this for the K-7, too, even if it means shipping it to me from Japan. For now, Mike from TOP suggests emailing Japan Exposures to see if they can arrange custom K-x's for interested U.S. buyers.

The customer rankings show that Pentax chose wisely with the white, blue, and red models... and could easily have gone with silver, orange, brown and olive as the next most popular colors. At least we know why the olive K-m never made the cut of the top 4 K-x colors. It just wasn't as popular as red or even orange in the Japanese marketplace.

I dare say that depending on how well certain combinations sell in Japan, we might see them as retail options in the U.S., perhaps as limited editions, or at least hopefully available as options on future U.S. models. I know the expectations aren't terribly high for sales, but when Christmas rolls around these are going to stand out for people looking to buy something unique as a gift.

A First Look At The K-x in NYC

Pentax's Special Launch in New York

(For a quick introduction to the K-x, see my previous post "Red. White. Blue. Black. Take Your Pic With the New K-x.")

About a month ago, I received a very nice "X Marks The Spot" invite to Pentax's Sept. 16th launch of a mystery camera at the International Center for Photography in NYC, a camera which was then under wraps but which I soon learned was the Pentax K-x. I have to admit, I'm a bit out of the loop this year while I concentrate on my full-time job in the book industry, so I was wondering if I would be impressed or not. Well, obviously I'm coming out of the woodwork again because I saw something I could relate to and it was interesting enough to write about. And I'm really anxious to not just parrot the talking points that were impressed upon all of us there. There's something about all the colors available in Japan that has my mind stirring.

Wednesday night launch at the International Center For Photography for Pentax

While the launch did take place yesterday on the 16th, an embargo was in effect until midnight, so this is being published on the 17th, a few hours after the Pentax event. (I didn't prepare this little essay in advance... The photo industry is well served by people with advance information who beaver away on "advance" reviews—I don't need to be another one of them. And leakers be damned. These are just my straight up impressions.)

Comparing the K2000 to the K-x.

It Comes In Colors

So, it wasn't until more recently that I began to have an idea of what they were planning and I have to admit that the colors were the first things to jump out at me in the advance press materials. I reflected on that and wondered what my impression would be when I saw the colors in person. The last new DSLR camera I've really gotten close to knowing, a K20D I asked for on loan from Pentax, is one that I would never have touched if it was only in red. It's not my thing. Fender guitars in custom colors, yes. Cameras, black please (or brushed silver if black isn't available). Still, I was as curious as I get to see it up close for myself.

A Pentax staffer holds out the new kit lens for the red edition K-x.

Seeing the red K-x and a white K2000 finally in my hands, it somehow made me want to play with them. These are small DSLRs, so in your hands the color seems less aggressive. The color doesn't constantly jump out at you and quickly becomes acceptable. Maybe not completely acceptable at a catered party. Maybe not for professionals, but definitely doable for the average iPhone user and the shenanigans we get into in daily life.

It's true that Pentax has been pilot testing colors in special editions, in silver, white or olive green (and this one was tempting), but this is the first time that they're coming out to the regular retail channels as an option you can buy, for example, on Amazon. The limited color editions worked as a way to get direct feedback from consumers about demand for color models. As Pentax USA President Ned Bunnell explained, it was better to spend the $125,000 building limited edition cameras and sell them directly than to tour 12 cities and interview people about cameras they weren't holding in their hands. The end result is that Pentax received strong demographic numbers that showed that women bought more colored cameras than they would have bought black models. The numbers jumped from a skew of 20% female and 80% male buyers to 50%-50%. Something worth doing on a larger scale.

Ned Bunnell, exhibiting his own photo at the ICP, alongside the present Avedon exhibit.

There's much more to be said about how Hoya is influencing this experimentation and new drive to be focused on results that make Pentax a break-even company. We certainly heard a lot about it at the press event, and I'll comment on that in another article. But suffice for now that Pentax sees growth with women customers for its entry-level cameras. After all that demographic positioning with the K-m last year, I'm not really surprised.

Setting The Tone For The User Experience

And this really sets the overall tone for other curious customers of the K-x and first-time DSLR buyers: it's not really aimed at people going on Antarctic expeditions, shooting models in Paris, or putting together an exploration of contemporary bird habitats. There's no confusion. It's making an effort to be fun and appealing, which is what we've seen Olympus and Panasonic do with their lines of entry-level consumer DSLRs and Four-Thirds cameras.

Do the colors have custom color finish names, like "Starlight Blue" or "Ferrari Red?" No. The colors are just glossy plastic, not coated anodized aluminum or anything too extraordinary. But the effect is simply fun in that way we're all familiar with custom color gadgets. The color lets you tell your camera apart from your friends' cameras, and it almost anthropomorphizes the object with its "otherness."

Dumbing Down?

Despite how some elite hobbyists who would never buy an entry-level camera may think that these color finishes dumb down the product (why disguise the fact you have a decent piece of technology by making it masquerade as a toy?), it helps the camera stand out and that serves a purpose for some users. It's a conversation piece. It makes people who see it form a new opinion, regardless of their previous impressions of Pentax, and that helps them remember the brand. This is interesting in a typically very conservative industry. At this point, I know I sound like a Pentax apologist and that I'll drink any Kool-Aid they put out on a tray, but I really wanted to be irked by the colors and I just couldn't do it.

And customers who take the chance on it because of the colors should find that Pentax is offering the K-x as something entry-level that has feature overkill. It's red, it's white, it's blue and it's still more DSLR than most people will use.

Catching Up With Consumer Demand For HD Video

or

The End of Western Civilization

The camera itself has similar specs to the K-7, and shares the same PRIME II computer engine for JPG and RAW processing (in camera RAW processing is Pentax's strong suit), so the chips consequently handle 720p 24fps HD video easily. But this is a first for an entry-level DSLR from Pentax. We've already seen Nikon and Canon explode the market demand for DSLR HD video, but Pentax is quick to point out that they're the only DSLR company who's entire line now offers HD video.

Of course, everyone can nitpick about how it's implemented. Last year, folks like Engadget.com were quick to point out the conspicuous absence of Live View in the K2000 and bemoaned it, and similarly I expect there will always be specs on the comparison tables where this camera fails to meet feature overkill expectations from people who chart such things. The K-x doesn't have HDMI, 30fps, stereo audio output (and you can only use the onboard mic and no other input), and I heard that's what caused the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire.

Single-hand control for the K-x.

Beefing Up The Specs In A Competitive Landscape

Overall, this is a camera that out performs the K100D of a few years ago by leaps and bounds. Entry-level consumers are getting harder pressed to really complain about what they have now when they compare this generation to older models, much like I should hardly complain about my big HD widescreen TV when I seemed to be living comfortably enough with a 13" CRT just a couple years ago. Live View and HD video are standard already? Wasn't that strangely fast?

And What About the Sample Pictures?

It's good to see Pentax finally setting other competitive entry-level standards, with specs for higher ISO and faster shutter speed than ever before, but I bet you're thinking, "it remains to be seen what the image quality is like." Let's think about this rationally. We have to assume it's halfway between the K-m/K2000 and the K-7. I'm yawning from anticipation because I already know it's going to be good enough for college kids and moms.

But what's interesting to me is that I saw Ned Bunnell tell his audience flat out that pixel peepers who are agonizing over noise should really just stop giving in to hypotheticals and ask themselves why the best photographs surrounding us at the ICP overcome technical limitations because of the creative content. A good picture isn't just one free of grain or noise. Okay, he didn't quite put it in those words, but that was the gist, and no one yelled out "You lie!"

He spoke about this to an audience of sales people and press without any need for apology. If the iPhone is nearly the most popular camera on Flickr, we know that we're living in a golden age of technical opportunity and it's about time we try to let our creativity catch up to the tools we've been given. So why not have a little color? If a red camera sells and it means people start taking fewer pictures of cats, what a noble cause the K-x truly is.

Red. White. Blue. Black. Take your pic with the new Pentax K-x

K-x Kit 1: $649.95 MSRP for the single lens kit (w. 18-55mm DA L "light" zoom lens)

K-x Kit 2: $749.95 MSRP for the twin lens kit (w. 18-55mm and 50-200mm DA L "light" zoom lenses)

K-x Kit 3: $849.95 MSRP for the premium twin lens kit (w. 18-55mm and 55-300mm DA L "light" zoom lenses)

For fall 2009, Pentax has a new DSLR. The K-x is a new iteration of consumer-sized DSLR based on Pentax's acclaimed digital "k" series (going back to the digital *ist cameras, really), available in 4 different colors, and for sale in special kits with bundled zoom lenses (and yes, the white and red kits come bundled with color matching 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses, but the blue and black share basic black lenses). Black and White ship in October, with Red and Blue to follow in November. I expect those last 2 colors to be back ordered frequently.

The K-x is similar to last year's K-m (aka. K2000) DSLR, but adds a host of new features such as a 12.4 MP CMOS sensor, ISO 100-12800, Live View, improved focusing and face detection, widescreen 720p HD video capture, HDR bracketing, faster FPS (4.7) and faster curtain speed (1/6000). In many ways, this brings a bit more parity with its weather resistant big brother, the K-7. But just like Pentax's previous small DSLRs, it's a more friendly camera for casual users. Expect it to be easy to use, even with one hand. And new digital filters, like Cross Processing, introduce some fun ways for casual users to do more in-camera than ever before. Also, the K-x is still powered by AA batteries, and is compatible with most older Pentax lens systems (some with typical limitations—see the usual specs).

Michelle Martin from Pentax is handing out these links to everyone, so make good use of them:

• Complete information is available here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/slr/K-x_Black/
• An informational video is available here: www.youtube.com/Pentaxian1

Above, the navy model K-x. Ahoy!

PENTAX K-x FACT SHEET

(From Pentax)

12.4 effective megapixels: The K-x incorporates a newly developed CMOS image sensor to assure high-speed image data readout and more flexibility with varying ISO sensitivity levels. With approximately 12.4 effective megapixels, this image sensor accurately reproduces true-to-life images with fine detail and rich color depth. The K-x offers a wide sensitivity range between ISO 200 and ISO 6400 and allows users to expand the sensitivity range between ISO 100 and ISO 12800 via a custom function to offer greater creative freedom to photographers.

Compact, lightweight body: The PENTAX K-x is one of the most compact, lightweight digital SLR cameras in its class. The stainless-steel chassis and overall design offer a space-efficient layout.

Widescreen HD movie recording at 1280x720 pixels at a cinematic 24 frames per second (720p24): The PENTAX K-x movie recording function* captures true-to-life movie clips in 16:9 high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels) at a frame rate of 24 frames per second. Compatible with every PENTAX interchangeable lens ever made, the Video Capture mode opens a new world of creativity for PENTA K-x owners.
* When the PENTAX K-x’s AV output terminal is used, movie clips are viewed at normal resolution. The data must be transferred to a PC for the playback of movie clips at high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels).

PENTAX-original SR mechanism for sharp, blur-free images: The K-x features the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction mechanism that effectively compensates for the adverse effects of camera shake by as much as four shutter steps. This innovative mechanism extends its benefits to all PENTAX interchangeable lenses — even those designed for film-format cameras.* With this SR mechanism, the K-x produces sharp, blur-free images even under demanding conditions such as telephoto lens photography, shooting in dark or low-light setting without a flash illumination, and sunset scenes. *Lenses compatible with this mechanism: PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2- and KAF3-mount lenses; screw-mounted lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be available with certain lenses.

High-speed continuous shooting at approximately 4.7 images per second: The K-x’s high-speed continuous shooting mode records as many as 17 images (in JPEG recording format) at a maximum speed of approximately 4.7 images per second. This is the fastest of all entry-class models. The K-x also features a more reliable shutter unit, which passed a demanding action test of more than 100,000 shutter releases. The top shutter speed of 1/6000 second allows the photographer to preserve sharp, crisp images of fast-moving subjects.

High-performance, high-speed PRIME II imaging engine: The K-x features the newly developed PRIME (PENTAX Real IMage Engine) II, that is an upgrade of the original PRIME imaging engine. This new imaging engine offers greater data processing speed and enhanced capability to produce higher-quality images with richer, more accurate color rendition, as well as faster transmission speed of movie data.

Live View function with Face detection of up to 16 faces: In addition to the camera’s viewfinder, the K-x features a Live View function that allows users to view subjects on the LCD monitor during shooting. The K-x also offers a choice of three different focusing modes in Live View:

• Contrast Auto Focus optimizes the focus based on the subject’s contrast.
• Face Detection Auto Focus automatically detects up to 16 faces, then selects the main subject’s face from multiple faces, and captures it in sharp focus.
• Phase Difference Auto Focus accesses the AF sensor positioned in the camera body to optimize focus on the subject.

Innovative Image Processing Functions

Digital Filter function: The K-x’s digital filter function allows users to process recorded images in a variety of creative ways within the camera and produce highly creative visual expressions. With a choice of 16 different filters including Color Extract, Retro, Soft, Starburst, Toy Camera, and more (including a custom filter for building multiple effects), photographers may apply multiple filters to a single image for customized effects.

Cross Process mode: The K-x features a new Cross Process mode that automatically and randomly adds finishing touches to exposures to create eye-catching images with unique, intriguing colors (just like images treated with Cross Process* in film photography). This mode adds a whimsical element to digital photography since photographers don’t know the results until the captured image is actually displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor.
* A film development technique that takes advantage of unconventional film developers to create a distinctive finishing touch with intriguing colors.

High-precision 11-point AF sensor: The high-precision, wide-frame SAFOX VIII autofocus system of the K-x features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) to automatically capture even off-centered subjects in sharp, crisp focus. Photographers also may select one of the sensors as a focusing point to accommodate specialized applications.

Additional Features

• Custom Image modes offer high quality processing for images
• 2.7 inch, high-resolution color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots of resolution
• Auto Picture mode for effortless, automatic selection of the most appropriate shooting mode, even during Live View shooting
• Status screen for easy, at-a-glance confirmation of various settings on the LCD monitor
• Ten scene modes, including Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Sunset, Kids, Museum, and more, available via simple icon selection
• PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 software package, with RAW-data processing and image browser functions

Drew Barrymore: Time Out NYC Cover

This week's cover of Time Out New York / Issue 727 (Sep 3–9, 2009) features Drew Barrymore and a Pentax K1000 SE, as a part of Time Out's NYC in Pictures series for their Photo Issue. For her part in the series, Drew presents a small gallery of 10 photos of summer in the big apple (I understand she used a disposable camera, like the other celebrities involved, not the Pentax).

Links: Time Out NYC article with Drew Barrymore

Pentax K-7 Firmware Update 1.01: Selective Point Fix

Well, the cat's out of the bag! Pentax has released a fix for one of their newest cameras, the K-7 DSLR, within the same month of its US release. And as speculated, the first firmware update for the K-7 addresses the highly contentious default behaviour of the 4-way controller for some of those users frustrated by having to press the OK button to allow the controller to move the AF point.

v1.01
Added a custom function to the K-7's Custom Function menu that affects the behavior of the 4-way controller when using user-selectable focus point adjustment.

For Windows (Download zip from www.pentaximaging.com)
Mac (Download zip from www.pentaximaging.com)

(Via DPReview Forums)