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PENTAX K-30
A sporty digital SLR camera, offering solid performance and weather-resistant body design to active outdoor photographers
Mississauga, ON – May 21, 2012
PENTAX RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC. is pleased to announce the introduction of the PENTAX K-30 digital SLR camera. This new mid-level model offers advanced features and outstanding operability in a compact, lightweight body that is also weather-resistant and dustproof for worry-free outdoor photography.
The PENTAX K-30 combines a compact, lightweight body — equal in size to entry-class models — with many advanced features found only in upper-class models, including a weather-resistant, dustproof body design and a glass prism finder with nearly 100% field of view. It features a high-performance 16.28 megapixel CMOS image sensor, high-speed burst shooting at a maximum speed of approximately six images per second, a high-speed shutter unit with a top speed of 1/6000 second, and a pair of electronic dials for quick, fingertip setting changes. Coupled with a grip providing a firm, comfortable hold on the camera, and a sporty, functional design, it assures dependable, flawless performance in the field, regardless of the weather conditions.
Available in a choice of three body colours: Crystal White and Crystal Blue, both with a brilliant, glossy finish and Black, for a traditional, classy DSLR look, the K-30 is the perfect companion for active outdoor photographers.
Major Features
1. High-resolution, low-noise, true-to-life image reproduction
The K-30 incorporates the latest CMOS image sensor with a large image-capturing area measuring 23.7mm by 15.7mm. It assures high-speed image data readout to deliver super-high-resolution, rich-gradation digital images with approximately 16.28 effective megapixels. This image sensor is coupled in the K-30 with the PRIME M imaging engine for the recording of high-quality, full HD-standard movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels, 30 frames per second). The camera also minimizes luminance noise at low sensitivities, while offering a wide sensitivity range between ISO 100 and ISO 12800 (or even ISO 25600 when expanded via a custom function).
2. Sporty, functional design perfect for outdoor shooting
Thanks to the 81 seals used in its compact, lightweight body, the K-30 is built to be weather-resistant, dustproof and cold-resistant to temperatures as low as -10°C. The K-30 can be taken along on outdoor activities such as camping and mountain climbing, for the joy of high-quality digital SLR photography without worrying about weather conditions. Its exterior has been designed to be both sporty and functional for active outdoor shooting: a large grip for a firm, secure hold of the camera; low-profile pentaprism housing for reduced height; and a rounded, soft-rubber casing for firm hold of the camera during vertical-position shooting.
3. Optical finder with nearly 100% field of view
Despite its compact body that is smaller and lighter than conventional mid-level models, the
K-30 comes equipped with a glass prism finder with nearly 100% field of view and approximately 0.92-times maximum magnification (with a 50mm F1.4 lens at infinity) to cover the entire field of view for easy focusing and framing. It delivers a clear view of the subject, even in bright sunshine, and eliminates parallax and time lag in the viewfinder image. The K-30 responds efficiently and reliably to demanding applications and subjects, such as landscapes requiring delicate, high-precision framing, and sports scenes where the timing of shutter release is critical. The PENTAX-original Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen facilitates manual-focusing operation. The standard focusing screen can be replaced with one of the available optional screens, including cross-lined and scale types, to accommodate more specialized applications.
4. Newly developed SAFOX IXi+ AF module gives improved autofocus performance
The K-30’s state-of-the-art SAFOX IXi+ AF sensor module assures responsive, high-precision autofocus operation by incorporating a diffraction lens to minimize chromatic aberration regardless of the lens used. It also uses the colour of the light at the time of shooting into its calculations. Nine of its 11 sensor points have cross-type sensors to capture all kinds of subjects in sharp focus, while its spotbeam projector assists the AF system in poorly lit locations. The K 30’s AF algorithm has also been upgraded in all areas. A new select-area expansion function allows the sensor module to continue to track a moving subject, even when it moves out of a pre-assigned auto-tracking area, by assessing distance data collected by neighboring focus sensors. The accuracy and speed of detecting moving subjects during autofocus shooting, and autofocusing performance when using a telephoto lens, have both been greatly improved as well.
5. High-speed burst shooting at approximately six images per second
When shooting sports, stage performances or wildlife, the K-30’s high-speed burst shooting function comes in handy, as it allows the photographer to record active, fast-moving subjects in a series of images — at a maximum speed of approximately six images per second.
6. Advanced Live View shooting with helpful features
Thanks to the latest CMOS image sensor and upgraded algorithm, the K-30 offers a clear, true-to-life Live View image (at 60 frames per second). It also features a focus-assist function to improve manual-focusing accuracy, as well as a choice of three grid display patterns including Golden Section.
7. Effortless, user-friendly Auto Picture and Scene modes
The K-30 features the PENTAX-original Auto Picture mode, which automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene from Portrait, Landscape, Macro and other distinctive shooting modes. Allowing the photographer to concentrate on image composition and shutter opportunity, while leaving all other camera settings to the K-30, including shutter speed, aperture, white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness, the camera helps the beginner to get the images they want. The K-30 also offers 19 Scene modes — including Night Scene Portrait, Pet and Backlight Silhouette — to simplify the photographing of subjects and scenes by optimizing all camera settings with a simple choice of the corresponding icon on the camera’s LCD monitor.
8. PENTAX-original SR mechanism with user-assisting options
The K-30 features the PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, 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. This innovative mechanism works with almost all PENTAX interchangeable lenses — even those developed for film-format cameras.* Thanks to the SR mechanism’s flexible design that tilts the image sensor unit in all directions, the K-30 offers several useful features to assist the photographer during shooting, including: an Automatic Horizon Correction function to assure level horizons; a Composition Adjustment function to allow minute adjustment of image alignment horizontally, vertically and axially; and an ASTROTRACER mode, to simplify astronomical photography in combination with the optional O-GPS1 GPS Unit.
* Lenses compatible with this mechanism: PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2- and KAF3-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be available with certain lenses.
9. A selection of image-processing tools for creative, personalized expression
The K-30 features the custom image function, which allows the user to easily and quickly select the desired finishing touch for a particular image, with a choice of 11 custom image tones, including Bleach Bypass to create a dramatic visual effect used in motion pictures, and Cross Process to produce a fanciful, eye-catching image with dramatic colours. It also offers a choice of 19 distinctive digital filters, including Miniature, which transforms an actual scene into what appears to be an image of miniature models. These filters add distinctive visual effects to captured images and produce creative, artistic images without the need for a computer. The user can further expand the creative possibilities by applying multiple filters to a single image.
10. Choice of two power sources
In addition to the standard lithium-ion battery capable of capturing approximately 480/410 images with a single recharge,** the K-30 can also be powered by four AA-size batteries using the optional D-BH109 AA-Battery Holder.
** Under testing conditions prescribed by PENTAX, using the D-LI109 Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery 480 with no flash discharge, 410 with flash 50%.
11. Other features
• Large, wide-view 3.0-inch LCD monitor with approximately 921,000 dots and 60 FPS refresh rate
• 77-segment multi-pattern metering system for extremely accurate light measurement
• Interval time still and video capability lets you capture the passage of time
• DR (Dust Removal) mechanism and SP coatings to shake dust off from the surface of the CMOS image sensor unit
• PENTAX-designed Hyper control system to assure fast, intuitive, flexible, unfailing response to the photographer’s creative intentions
• Dynamic-range expansion function to compensate for both blown out (overexposed) and blocked up (underexposed) areas
• RAW-data capture of an image just taken in JPEG-format image
• RAW/Fx button for single-action switching of image file format, as well as for assignment and instant recall of a specific function
• SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0 for PENTAX (RAW-data processing engine developed by Ichikawa Soft Laboratory) included, in support of the K-30’s in-body RAW data processing capability
Optional Accessories
PENTAX O-ST128 Hand Strap
Attached to the camera’s grip, this hand strap assures a secure hold of the camera during shooting and carrying. Since the camera is carried in the right hand while on the move, the strap helps the photographer smoothly and rapidly respond to unexpected shutter opportunities.
PENTAX D-BH109 AA-Battery Holder
This allows the use of readily available AA batteries instead of the supplied D-LI109 Lithium Ion Battery. Holds four AA batteries.
PENTAX O-GPS1 GPS Unit
Allows Geo Tagging of your images as well as the PENTAX exclusive ASTROTRACER mode to take sharp long exposure images of the heavens.
PENTAX RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC. is a wholly owned subsidiary of PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD., with headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario. PENTAX RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC. markets digital SLR and compact cameras, lenses, camera accessories, sport optics and closed circuit television lenses.
PENTAX on the web at www.pentax.ca
All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Designs and specifications are subjects to change without notice.
