PENTAX announces the multi-featured K-r digital SLR camera, featuring simple operation and a host of creative tools in a compact, lightweight body
Mississauga, ON, September 9, 2010
PENTAX Canada Inc. is pleased to announce the introduction of the PENTAX K-r lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera. Encased in a compact, lightweight body, the K-r combines simple, user-friendly operation with a wide array of advanced features designed to enhance the fun and excitement of digital SLR photography.
The PENTAX K-r not only offers an assortment of features and functions that make it easy for everyone to effortlessly capture high-quality images that people expect from a digital SLR camera, but it also comes equipped with a host of handy tools that help the user to create more personalized, creative images. They range from high-quality image reproduction with approximately 12.4 effective megapixels and HDTV video recording, to high-speed continuous shooting at approximately six images per second, super-high-sensitivity shooting at ISO 25600 (via a custom function) and a large, easy-to-view 3.0-inch high-resolution colour LCD monitor. Its dual-power-source design offers a choice between the included rechargeable D-LI109 lithium-ion battery and a set of AA-size batteries.* It also offers a greater selection of digital filters for effortless production of original, creative images. All combined, the K-r boasts outstanding performance and versatility, with performance close to that of upper-class digital SLR cameras, while allowing the photographer to easily handle different photographic requirements and to accommodate individual shooting styles. The K-r is also compatible with the IrSimple™ high-speed infrared data transmission system for wireless data transfer to IrSimple-compatible devices, and for swift image data exchange and match-game playing between two PENTAX K-r’s. Totally new capabilities in a digital SLR camera, these features make the K-r a unique, new-generation communications tool.
The PENTAX K-r will be available in Canada October 2010.
* Requires the optional AA Battery Holder D-BH109 to hold four AA-size batteries.
Major Features
1. High-quality, true-to-life image reproduction
The K-r incorporates a new-generation CMOS image sensor with approximately 12.4 effective megapixels to assure high-speed image data readout. It also features the high-performance PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) II imaging engine to ensure accurate and high-speed data processing equal to that of upper-level models. As the result, the K-r produces high-quality images with fine detail, rich gradation and superb rendition, while suppressing digital noise to a minimum. The K-r also offers a wide sensitivity range between ISO 200 and ISO 12800, wih the ability to expand the range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600 via a custom function.
2. Compact, lightweight body
Despite the incorporation of the large 23.6mm x 15.8mm image sensor, the K-r sports a compact, lightweight body, thanks to a trim, lightweight stainless-steel chassis, a downsized in-body shake reduction mechanism, and state-of-the-art, high-density packaging technologies that assure space-efficient positioning and layout of the camera circuitry and components.
3. High-speed continuous shooting at approximately six images per second
The K-r’s high-speed continuous shooting mode records as many as 25 images (in JPEG format), 12 images (in RAW format) in a single sequence at a maximum speed of approximately six images per second — the fastest of all entry-class models — allowing the photographer to preserve sharp, crisp images of fast-moving subjects with great ease.
4. High-precision AF system
The K-r’s high-precision, wide-frame SAFOX IX autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) to assure pinpoint focus on the subject. The K-r also has a spotbeam projector to assist the AF system in poorly lit locations. The accuracy and speed of contrast AF operation during Live View shooting has also been enhanced by the incorporation of a new-generation image sensor and drastic upgrading of AF algorithms. Autofocus fine adjustment is available as a custom function.
5. Bright, clear optical viewfinder
Thanks to the combination of PENTAX-original finder optics and the renowned Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, the K-r’s viewfinder offers a bright, clear subject image at 0.85X magnification, with a 96% field of view and with a converted finder magnification or 0.54. It assures excellent visibility even in bright outdoor locations and provides delay-free, real-time display of the subject’s image, which is especially helpful in situations where the timing of shutter release is critical, such as sports photography. The in-focus point is indicated as a red point in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation.
6. Large, easy-to-view 3.0-inch LCD monitor with wide-view design and approximately 921,000 dots
The K-r features a large, high-resolution colour LCD monitor with approximately 921,000 dots. Its wide-view design assures a clear view of the monitor image from approximately 170 degrees horizontally and vertically, making it particularly useful in low- and high-angle applications during Live View shooting.
7. Versatile dual-power-source design
In addition to the standard rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which allows the photographer to capture approximately 560 images with a single recharge**, the K-r can also be powered with four AA-size batteries using optional AA Battery Holder D-BH109, (capture approximately 1600 images with four AA lithium batteries ***). Since these world-standard batteries are available almost anywhere, it removes worries about unexpected battery shortage, especially on the road.
Based on the PENTAX in-house testing conditions conforming to the CIPA standards without flash, using a rechargeable D-LI109 Lithium-Ion Battery** or AA lithium batteries***.
8. PENTAX-original SR mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
The K-r features the PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which effectively compensates the adverse effect of camera shake by up to approximately four shutter speeds. This innovative mechanism extends its benefits to almost all PENTAX interchangeable lenses — even those designed for film-format cameras.**** Thanks to this user-friendly mechanism, the K-r produces sharp, blur-free images even under demanding conditions prone to camera shake, such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark without flash illumination, and taking pictures of sunset scenes.
**** Lenses compatible with this mechanism: PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2- and KAF3- mount lenses; screw-mounted lenses (with an adapter); 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter) and PENTAX ED Spotting Scopes with PF-CA35 adapter. Some functions may not be available with certain lenses.
9. Innovative image-processing functions to produce distinctive photographic expressions
(1) Custom image function for distinctive finishing touches
The K-r features the custom image function, which allows the user to easily select a desired finishing touch for a particular image in order to more faithfully express his/her creative intention. The K-r offers a choice of nine custom image modes including Bleach Bypass, which is designed to create a dramatic visual effect used in motion pictures.
(2) Versatile digital filter function
The K-r’s digital filter function allows the user to process recorded images in a variety of creative ways and produce highly creative visual expressions without the need of a computer. The user not only has a choice of 18 different filters, including the newly added Starburst, Sketch and Posterization, but can also apply different filters one after another to a single image to create more inventive visual effects.
(3) Cross process mode with three options
The K-r features the unique cross process mode, in which the camera automatically shifts photographic parameters for each exposure to create eye-catching images with unique, dramatic colours, just like pictures treated with the cross process***** in film photography. In addition to “Random”, where the results are unpredictable until the image has been processed, the user also has two other options: “Preset”, with three different sets of preset parameters and “Favourite”, with user-input parameters.
***** A film development technique that uses unconventional film development to create a distinctive finish with dramatic, stylized colors.
(4) Upgraded HDR (High Dynamic Range) function
The K-r features the HDR (high dynamic range) function to create one composite image with an extra-wide gradation range from three images with different exposures, without the need of a computer application. It offers a choice of auto, standard and expanded (at three levels) modes to accommodate different creative intentions. Thanks to the introduction of Auto Align function, the user can now take advantage of this creative tool even with handheld shooting.
10. High-speed infrared data transmission system
The K-r is the first PENTAX digital SLR camera equipped with the IrSimple™ high-speed infrared data transmission system. This system allows the user to transfer image data to IrSimple-compatible digital devices with great ease, allowing the user to effortlessly post images taken with the K-r on their own blogs via a cellular phone. This system also makes the K-r a brand-new photo communication tool, as it also allows users to exchange their image data using a pair of K-r’s, and even allows them to engage in a simple match game using Exif data attached to the images such as aperture or shutter-speed values.
11. High-quality, HDTV-proportion movie recording at 1280 x 720 pixels and at 25 frames per second
The K-r’s movie-recording function****** captures beautiful, true-to-life movie clips in 16:9 high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels) at a frame rate of 25 frames per second. This extends many benefits of high-quality SLR photography to the world of movie shooting. For instance, reduce the depth of field to make a subject stand out, or use different interchangeable lenses to create distinctive visual effects. The K-r also assures a greater possibility of visual presentation in movies, either through the application of digital filters, such as Toy Camera and Retro, to add specific visual effects during shooting, or through the use of various movie-editing functions after shooting. You can even extract still images from your movies at their native resolution in the camera.
****** When the PENTAX K-r’s AV output terminal is used, movie clips are output 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).
12. Other features
(1) DR (Dust Removal) mechanism, to shake dust off the CMOS image sensor.
(2) PENTAX-exclusive DUST ALERT system to check to see if there is dust on the CMOS image sensor and show the location of the dust.
(3) User-friendly layout of essential control buttons and levers, all positioned on the camera’s grip side for quick, effortless access by the photographer’s right hand.
(4) Auto Picture mode for effortless, automatic selection of the most appropriate shooting mode, even during Live View shooting.
(5) Eleven scene modes, including a new Night Scene HDR mode.
(6) Versatile white balance control, featuring a new CTE mode designed to emphasize the dominant colour components of the captured images which works best with such scene as sunset.
(7) Automatic compensation of distortion and lateral chromatic aberration (available only with DA-,DFA- and FA Limited-series lenses).
(8) PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 software package, with RAW-data processing and browser applications.
[Optional Accessory]
AA Battery Holder D-BH109
Exclusively designed as an alternative power source of the PENTAX K-r, this optional accessory holds four AA-size batteries.
PENTAX Canada Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX Imaging Systems Division of Japan and maintains offices in Mississauga. PENTAX Canada Inc. markets digital SLR and compact cameras, lenses, sport optics, closed circuit television lenses and medical equipment.
PENTAX on the web at www.pentax.ca