Pentax Introduces Entry-Level 'K100D SUPER'
Digital SLR With Advanced Features
GOLDEN, CO. (June 27, 2007)….PENTAX Imaging Company announced the PENTAX K100D Super digital SLR with innovative features usually found on more advanced, higher-priced cameras. The newest member of the K Series of digital SLRs combines the PENTAX Shake Reduction (SR) system, an innovative Dust Removal (DR) system, and full compatibility with PENTAX SDM lenses.
The K100D Super builds on the popular PENTAX K100D digital SLR camera that first shipped in July 2006. Incorporating the PENTAX-original Dust Removal (DR) system previously available only in more advanced models, PENTAX takes entry-level SLR users to the next level with the new K100D Super Digital SLR. A PENTAX-original design, the Dust Removal system helps keep the CCD surface dust-free to ensure spotless images. The new PENTAX digital SLR also offers full compatibility with PENTAX SDM lenses. Together, these features upgrade the K100D Super to a technologically advanced SLR at a very affordable price.
Compatible with any PENTAX SLR lens ever produced,* PENTAX K100D Super offers a large 2.5 inch LCD monitor with 210,000 pixel resolution and a friendly Mode Dial featuring Auto Picture and Picture modes as well as new Scene modes for even simpler photography. The 6.1 megapixel APS-C size CCD, 11-point autofocus mechanism, and sophisticated 16 segment multi-pattern metering delivers outstanding image reproduction, while the bright, high-precision Penta mirror viewfinder features a 96% field of view and 0.85X magnification. With this array of advanced features and an easy-to-hold, easy-to-use design, the K100D Super delivers high-quality digital SLR photography to users of all levels including SLR beginners.
*With adapter for screw mount and 645/67 lenses
Along with the SLR, PENTAX has announced a new compact, easy-to-use AF200FG Auto Flash. The hot-shoe mount flash features a compact, lightweight body, a guide number of 20 (at ISO 100/m) and simple dial operation to assure effortless flash photography for everyone. The P-TTL auto flash system assures proper exposure level by measuring the flash’s pre-discharge with the camera’s multi-pattern metering system. The AF200FG uniformly covers the wide discharge angle of a 28mm lens (in the 35mm format) and includes a flip-down diffuser that can cover the angle of a 24mm lens (in the 35mm format).
Priced at US $599.95, the PENTAX K100D Super with 18-55mm lens will ship in August 2007. (Body alone is $519.95.) The AF200FG Auto Flash unit will ship in August 2007 for US $149.95.
Reader feedback:
Discuss this story
PENTAX Introduces the K100D Super with Dust Removal System for Flawless, User Friendly Photography
28th June 2007: PENTAX U.K. launches the PENTAX K100D Super, a new standard-class digital SLR camera boasting advanced features to enable photographers of all levels to produce the highest quality images with minimum effort.
Based on the extremely popular PENTAX K100D lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera, the easy-to-hold and easy-to-use K100D Super features an innovative Dust Removal (DR) system to keep dust off the CCD surface and ensure optimum image quality. It also incorporates the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system which reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under the most demanding shooting conditions such as when using a telephoto lens or for extended exposures for sunset and night scenes.
The K100D Super’s sophisticated SAFOX VIII auto-focus system has 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors in the middle) to automatically capture off centre subjects in crisp focus. By combining 6.1 effective megapixels with a high-performance imaging engine and advanced image-processing technologies, the K100D Super is designed to produce beautiful true-to-life images that are rich in gradation. In addition, it boasts a choice of two finishing touches of “natural” or “bright” to create a distinctive atmosphere and an Auto Picture mode for effortless point and shoot photography.
The K100D Super accepts both conventional SD memory cards and also the newly standardised SDHC cards which allow a much greater number of images to be stored on the camera.
The camera will retail at £TBC.
Main Features:
1. PENTAX original Shake Reduction mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
Using magnetic force, this SLR system shifts the camera’s image sensor vertically and horizontally at the optimum speed to compensate for the amount of camera shake detected, assuring outstanding compensation effects (equivalent to approximately 2 to 3.5 shutter steps). Since this versatile system is compatible with all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses*, it does not require special anti-shake lenses equipped with add-on optics or devices.
*Compatible with K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2-mount lenses without an adaptor, and screw-mount, 645-system and 67-system lenses with an adaptor. Available functions may be limited with certain lenses.
2. Dust Removal system to keep dust off the CCD surface
Applied to the CCD surface through a vapour deposition process of a fluorine compound, the PENTAX-original Super Protect (SP) coating effectively removes dust and stains from 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.
3. Auto sensitivity control up to 3200 standard output sensitivity
The K100D Super features an auto sensitivity control function, which automatically sets the optimum standard output sensitivity — up to 3200, which is the highest automatic setting in its class — 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. The user can pre-program a desired level, from ISO 200 to the super-high sensitivity of the ISO 3200.
4. Auto Picture Mode for effortless point-and-shoot SLR photography
The PENTAX-original Auto Picture mode automatically and instantly selects one of five picture modes (including portrait, landscape, and macro) to create the most appropriate visual effect for a given subject. Since the camera sets all primary parameters (including shutter speed, aperture, white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness), the photographer can concentrate on picture composition and shutter opportunity.
5. 11-point wide-frame AF to capture off-centre subjects in crisp focus
The K100D Super’s sophisticated SAFOX VIII autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors in the middle) to automatically focus on the subject with utmost precision, even when it is positioned off centre. The in-focus sensor point is automatically superimposed in red in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation.
6. Large LCD monitor to facilitate image viewing and menu setting
The K100D Super features a large 2.5-inch colour LCD monitor on its back panel. Its wide-view design allows the photographer to check the monitor image over 140 degrees vertically and horizontally, ensuring effortless image viewing even from a diagonal position. It provides 210,000 pixels for high-resolution image viewing, with a zoom display function that lets users magnify images up to 12 times.
7. Bright, clear viewfinder
The K100D Super features a lightweight penta-mirror viewfinder, which combines PENTAX-original finder optics with a Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen to deliver a bright, clear subject image with a 0.85-times magnification and a 96-percent field of view.
8. True-to-life, rich-gradation images assured by 6.1 effective megapixels
The K100D features a large, high-performance 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD as its image sensor, assuring the faithful reproduction of the desired photographic intention in the resulting images — from images with beautiful out-of-focus backgrounds to those with edge-to-edge sharpness.
9. Compatibility with high-quality, high –capacity SDHC memory card
The K100D Super accepts not only the conventional SD memory card as its storage media, but also the newly standardized SDHC card, ** which allows the user to store a great number of large data files, such as RAW-format images.
** SD High Capacity card, with a storage capacity exceeding 2 GB
10. Compatibility with SDM system for smoother, quieter auto-focusing operation
The K100D Super’s camera body is compatible with a new SDM system,which
assures smoother, quieter autofocusing operation using a built in supersonic
motor. When the lens equipped with SDM system is mounted on the PENTAX
K100D Super camera body, the focus mode is automatically switched to SDM
assisted autofocusing.
11.Compact, lightweight body with optimum holding comfort
The K100D Super has been designed to be compact and lightweight for easy
carrying and enhanced maneuverability. It also offers an easy-to-hold grip to
assure a stable shooting position.
12. Other features
