Sept 22nd, 2008.

Pentax has today announced the 10.2MP Pentax K-m (named Pentax K2000 in some countries), an entry-class digital SLR camera offering simple, straightforward operation, geared at first-time digital SLR users and family photographers.

The Pentax K-m features manual creative control modes as well as Auto Picture modes and useful learning functions, such as a dedicated help button. The K-m / K2000 is one of the smallest, lightest camera bodies in its class less weighing less than 600 gr. Additional features include a a 2.7 inch, 230,000 dot-high resolution, wide view LCD panel, and in camera editing features. The K-m also features the Pentax developed Shake Reduction and Dust Reduction systems to help get better pictures.

Pentax has also announced two DA L-series interchangeable zoom lenses: the smc Pentax-DA L 18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL and the smc Pentax-DA L 50-200mmF4-5.6ED. Designed for exclusive use with Pentax digital SLR cameras, these DA L-series lenses are designed to be more compact and lightweight than conventional counterparts, without sacrificing optical performance.

Note:
The smc Pentax DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6AL and smc Pentax-DA L 50-200mmF4-5.6ED lenses will be available only as a part of the Pentax K-m / K2000 Lens Kit or Pentax K-m Double Zoom Kit.

• Pentax K-m / K2000 SLR Major Features
• Pentax K-m SLR Camera Specifications
• Pentax K-m / K2000 SLR Sample Test Images
  

Pentax K-m / K2000 Digital SLR Major Features

Large 2.7-inch wide-view LCD monitor

The Pentax K-m / K2000 SLR features a 2.7-inch LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots. The wide-view design allows you to check the on-screen image from approximately 170 degrees both vertically and horizontally. Digital zooming of playback images up to 16 times allows easy confirmation of the image’s focusing status and details.

Pentax-original SR ( Shake Reduction ) mechanism for sharp, blur-free images

The Pentax K-m / K2000 is equipped with the Pentax-developed SR ( Shake Reduction ) mechanism, which helps reduce camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under more demanding shooting conditions, such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark or at night without supplementary flash illumination. This in-camera stabilization 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 a built-in sensor. It offers a compensation equivalent to approximately 2.5 to 4 steps depending on the lens and focal length in use.

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.

The Pentax K-m features a newly designed control system, which positions most of buttons and levers on the camera’s grip side, making it easier for first-time digital SLR users stepping up from their compact models to operate the camera. Additionally, a dedicated reprogrammable Help "?" button displays camera functions on the camera's LCD screen. This built-in user's manual is ideal for those who are unfamiliar with digital SLR cameras. (Found on the top right of the camera under the On/Off switch as seen above)

Auto sensitivity control up to ISO 3200

The Pentax K-m digital SLR auto sensitivity control function automatically sets the optimum sensitivity between ISO 100 and ISO 3200, based on such data as the subject’s brightness level and the lens’ focal length. This function lets you to take advantage of faster shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor sports events and nighttime scenes) in order to effectively reduce image blur from both camera shake and subject movement.

Versatile Auto Picture and creative Scene modes

The Pentax K-m Auto Picture mode automatically sets the most appropriate shooting mode ( such as Portrait, Landscape, Action, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, and Macro ) for a given subject or situation.

Since the Pentax K-m / K2000 not only sets an aperture and a shutter speed, but also adjusts white-balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness levels, the photographer can concentrate on image composition. To handle most standard situations the Pentax K-m / K2000 offers a number of dedicated Picture Modes that provide the best settings for portraits, macro or sport photographs. The Pentax K-m / K2000 offers a total of 10 creative scene modes. Combined, the Pentax K2000's automatic modes offer novice users considerable flexibility as they explore digital SLR photography.

In addition, the Custom Image modes on the Pentax K-m / K2000 give you superior control of how the Pentax PRIME processor develops images. These modes apply saturation, hue, contrast and sharpness settings to JPEG images, and give a starting point for RAW image development.

Bright – gives increased saturation, hue, sharpness and contrast for images that are a bit more elaborate or colorful straight from the camera. Natural – makes no adjustment to image parameters. This is perfect for photographers who want to maximize an image for post capture manipulation. Portrait – decreases contrast and sharpness to give soft, natural skin tones. Landscape – increases saturation, contrast and sharpness for beautiful images of the natural world. Vibrant – maximizes all parameters to give the brightest colors and enhanced sharpness for the most vivid scenes. B&W – mimics the effects of black and white photography, including the effects of color filters. It even adds an infrared filter effect for dramatic monochrome scenes.

Plus, each of the Custom Image modes can be further modified to meet your needs(+/- 4 steps). All settings are clearly displayed on the LCD screen with a radar display showing how the settings affect each color.

Comprehensive Dust Removal system with prevention, removal and confirmation devices

The Pentax K-m / K2000 features a Dust Removal (DR) system to prevent dust from appearing in images. Applied to the CCD surface ( or low-pass filter ) through the vapor deposition of a fluorine compound, the Pentax-original SP ( Super Protect ) 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 image sensor at high speed. Finally, the dust that is shaken off the image sensor will fall onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of it returning to the image sensor surface.

This DR system even offers a new Dust Alert function, which allows the user to confirm the dust-adhesion status of the CCD in advance.

Built-in Flash The Pentax K-m features a built-in retractable P-TTL auto pop-up flash that offers a guide number of 11 (Standard Output Sensitivity 100/m ) and provides a 28mm angle of view coverage (in 35mm terms). The output from the built-in flash on the Pentax K-m / K2000 can be controlled by using the Flash Exposure Compensation feature: -2 EV - +1EV (1/2EV steps) The Pentax K-m / K2000 also incorporates a dedicated Hot shoe with a sync-speed of 1/180 sec. High-speed-sync, and wireless-sync is possible with optional Pentax dedicated flash units like the Pentax AF 360 FGZ . The Pentax K-m / K2000 does not feature a dedicated AF assist light. The flash must be raised for AF assist to work under lower light conditions. (Fires a series of strobes from the flash to illuminate subject)

High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 3.5 frames per second The K-m lets you keep shooting images at the speed of approximately 3.5 frames per second (for a five frame burst in the JPEG recording format, 4 frames in RAW), allowing you to capture a sequence of shots of a fast-moving subject with great ease.

Pentax SAFOX VIII 5-point AF system The Pentax K-m incorporates a five-point wide-area AF system (SAFOX VIII with five cross-type sensors, each sensitive to both horizontal and vertical subjects) to assure dependable, high-precision autofocusing. Center Focusing on the Pentax K-m allows the photographer to enable only the center focus sensor. Pentax claims to have enanced the focus speed under poor lighting conditions offering improved autofocus performance.

Effective gradation compensation

The Pentax K-m’s dynamic-range expansion function allows you to expand a dynamic range (or a range of gradation reproduction) to minimize white-washed areas in the image while its shadow compensation function minimizes pitch-black areas lacking details.

Bright, clear viewfinder

Combining a lightweight penta-mirror prism with a Pentax-original finder optics and the Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen, the K-m / K2000 viewfinder delivers a large, bright image with an approximately 96-percent field of view and an approximately 0.85-times magnification. For people who normally use eye glasses, the Pentax K2000 also features a viewfinder Diopter adjustment that covers the range from approx. -2.5 - +1.5m-1

Digital filters for unique visual expressions

The Pentax K-m / K2000 built-in digital filters let you effortlessly add some creative and artistic touches to recorded images without the use of a PC. You can select one of 14 different digital filters, including the new Toy Camera, star Burst and Retro filters, to create your desired visual effect.

Pentax K-m digital SLR Other features