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Pentax's full-frame K-1 Mark II has a ridiculous ISO range
Pentax has unveiled the 36.4-megapixel K-1 Mark II DSLR, the successor to its first full-frame, the K-1. The new model hasn't changed much, apart from one outstanding new feature. Thanks to a new "accelerator unit" for its Prime IV image processor, the K1 II can do noise reduction much quicker, allowing you to shoot at up to 819,200 native ISO.
The best DSLR for beginners
By Mike Perlman This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. The Nikon D3400 is the best entry-level DSLR for those looking to improve their photography and learn the ins and outs of tweaking camera settings. The D3400 has some of the best image quality we've ever seen at this price, along with excellent battery life, Bluetooth connectivity, 1080/60p video, silent autofocus for video, and easy-to-use controls—and it's widely available for less than $500.
Pentax's new KP DSLR shoots in incredibly low light
Pentax has released the KP, weatherproof, compact DSLR with five-axis body stabilization, extreme low-light-sensitivity and a pretty off-beat design. The standout feature is a ridiculously high 819,000 ISO, a setting that would let you shoot with almost no light. That puts it ahead of every other camera, except perhaps Sony's Alpha A7II S. In fact, the Pentax KP, like most other cameras nowadays, likely uses a new Sony sensor -- so don't be surprised to see other new APS-C models with that kind of capability soon.
The Pentax K-1 is its first full-frame DSLR
Pentax has finally filled a big hole in its lineup with the K-1, its first full-frame DSLR. The camera arrives a year after Pentax first revealed a full-frame prototype, and considerably later than parent Ricoh's ETA of late 2015. The K-1 appears to be a solid first attempt at a full-frame camera, however, especially considering its $1,799 price -- less than most other full-frame models from Canon, Sony and Nikon. That sum will get you a weather-resistant, dustproof magnesium body with a 36.4-megapixel full-frame sensor, top sensitivity of a 204,800 ISO and 4.4 fps maximum shooting speed.
Pentax's top DSLR uses image stabilization to reduce noise
Given the moribund DSLR market, Ricoh wasn't about to mess around with the follow-up to its popular Pentax flagship, the K-3. Sure enough, the K-3 II retains the weather-proof body, fast 8.3 fps shooting speed and high-quality 24.4-megapixel APS-C-sized sensor of the last model, while getting some enticing new tweaks. First and foremost is the so-called Pixel Shift feature which uses in-body shake reduction to sample pixels four times, significantly reducing noise at low-light levels. While the feature only works for static subjects, it should be ideal for astrophotography and other applications.
Pentax is finally getting a full-frame DSLR
Pentax has fallen off the DSLR radar of late, unless you're looking for a medium-format camera or a hot pink K-series model. Parent company Ricoh has just pricked up the ears of the brand's many fans, however, with long-awaited news of its first ever full-frame K-mount Pentax DSLR. All we know so far is roughly what it looks like (the prototype is shown above), that it'll work with Pentax's DA APS-C lenses using image cropping, and that it'll pack a full-frame 35mm sensor. The cropping part is unfortunate, since enthusiasts would want a full-frame Pentax camera for the extra resolution and depth-of-field. Some DA lenses may already be compatible without cropping, however, and we'd hope that Ricoh is also working on new full-frame DA lenses.
Ricoh's new action cam isn't a toy, even if it looks like one
When you're in the market for an action camera, we'd imagine GoPro or Contour would be the first names that sprang to mind. Ricoh is hoping to crowbar itself onto your psychological roster, however, with the WG-M1, its latest ruggedized action camera. Looking more like the sort of spy compass you'd get for free on the front of a magazine, the hockey puck-style device offers a 14-megapixel CMOS sensor and a six-element lens with an f/2.8 aperture. That'll be good enough for 1080p video of you on your longboard hurtling through traffic at 30 miles an hour.
Ricoh's WG-M1 is an action camera from the people that make Pentax
Dizzying first-person footage? Check. Skate/parkour/longboard adrenaline ride? Check. Ricoh (perhaps better known for its Pentax brand) knows what action camera buyers want. Or at least the category's marketing staples. Its latest cam is the Ricoh WG-M1, and it's aimed squarely at the Blanchards and Bruscos of this world. It shoots full HD, takes 14-megapixel stills, has WiFi, is waterproof to over 30 feet and sports an LCD display -- all good stuff. But there's one big question -- does it come with a carabiner-equipped strap for easy carrying? Glad you asked, the press materials say yes. The camera will cost $300 when it shoulders its way onto shelves in October, so plenty of time to look up what a carabiner is.
Pentax's latest DSLR has glowing LEDs to tell you what mode it's in
If you're intimidated by most DSLRs with all their knobs and buttons, you might want to take a look at Ricoh Imaging's Pentax K-S1, a new mid-range camera that's just one of many shooters the company's releasing this year. It packs in plenty of performance -- a 20-megapixel sensor and sky-high sensitivity of ISO 51200 -- along with an interface that's more reminiscent of a smartphone than a camera. According to Ricoh, the K-S1 "eliminates many of the complexities of a DSLR" with a friendlier "flat field" user interface that should be easy to navigate due to the luminous 3-inch 921,000-dot LCD, back-lit selection dial and four-way buttons. There are also various built-in LEDs that light up when certain features are in use. For example, the mode dial will glow green when it's toggled to take still shots and it'll glow red if it's in video mode, as you can see in the video after the break.
Ricoh's rugged WG-4 and WG-20 are its first cameras to drop the Pentax badge
Ricoh acquired the Pentax brand more than two years ago, but you almost wouldn't know it when the badging has largely remained the same. However, that's changing today -- Ricoh's new WG-4, WG-4 GPS and WG-20 compact cameras are its first to ditch the Pentax name. From now on, you'll only find the label on interchangeable lens cameras and their accessories. These rugged point-and-shoots haven't seen dramatic changes beyond the corporate logo, mind you. The WG-4 and its GPS-equipped variant add user-programmable and shutter priority modes to the WG-3's basic formula, which includes a 16-megapixel sensor, a 4x lens and a body that's waterproof to 45 feet. The WG-20 (shown below) is very similar to the WG-10, sharing its 14-megapixel sensor, 5x lens and 33-foot waterproofing. All the new models ship in March; the WG-20 will be available for $200, while the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS will respectively cost you $330 and $380.
Pentax K-3 DSLR boasts web-based remote shooting, antialiasing control
Pentax has focused most of its recent attention on entry-level photographers, but it's showing some renewed devotion to serious shutterbugs by launching the K-3. The new 24-megapixel DSLR supports a new WiFi-equipped SDHC card, FLU, that gives owners remote control of the camera through any device with a web browser. They'll also have more control over the shots themselves: a new antialiasing toggle lets users pick between smoothness and raw detail without having to switch cameras. An updated 27-point autofocus system and 8.3 fps burst shooting are also welcome upgrades over the K-5 II. The K-3 ships this November for $1,300 body-only, or $1,700 bundled with an 18-135mm lens; a 16GB FLU card will be available at the same time for $100.
Pentax intros K-50 and K-500 DSLRs, Q7 mirrorless camera
When it rains, it pours -- we knew Pentax was due for new interchangeable lens cameras, but it just surprised us by unveiling three of them at once. The mid-range K-50 and entry K-500 DSLRs at the front of the pack represent slight upgrades to the 16-megapixel K-30 on the inside, with both gaining a higher ISO 51,200 sensitivity and Eye-Fi card support. They mostly differ on the outside. The K-50 keeps the K-30's weather sealing, lithium batteries and extreme color customization; the K-500 caters to the budget crowd by going without weatherproofing, running on AA batteries and shipping only in black. Both bodies are available in stores this July, starting at $600 for a K-500 with an 18-55m kit lens and $780 for a similarly equipped K-50. The smallest camera of the bunch, the Q7, may be the most intriguing. While the mirrorless body still shoots at the 12.4 megapixels of the Q10, it upgrades to a larger 1/1.7-inch sensor that delivers a big performance boost -- sensitivity has jumped to ISO 12,800, and there's faster autofocusing to boot. Pentax also touts a faster shot-to-shot time, better image stabilization and Eye-Fi support. The Q7 will cost the same $500 in kit form as its ancestor does today, although photographers will have to be patient when the tiny camera doesn't hit retail until August.
Pentax Q7 purportedly leaks with three color options, larger sensor than Q10
Pentax camera launches always seem to be colorful affairs, and if new images are to be believed, a multi-hued mirrorless model with a retro bent will soon arrive from the outfit. According to serial leaker Digicame-info, a new Q7 model will be unveiled with a larger 1/1.7-inch sized sensor than the 1/2.3-inch CMOS-packing Q10, and come with a kit zoom or optional standard prime lens on July 5th. Until we hear it from the source, though, it'd be wise to hold off on buying matching silver, black or yellow outfits.
Pentax's WG-3 ruggedized camera scores a white paint job
If you'd like a ruggedized camera to match that white Nexus 4 of yours, Pentax has you covered. The outfit has just unveiled an alabaster WG-3 that boasts the same specs and price tag as its vibrantly colored siblings. Dropping $300 on the shooter nets risk-prone photographers a 4x, f/2-4.9 lens backed by a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 3-inch LCD screen, video capture at 1080/30p and 720/60p, and even GPS for an additional $50. A toughened exterior makes the hardware cold-proof, crush-proof, drop-proof, shock-proof and water-proof. Yearning to get your hands on the ivory cam? Pentax says it'll see a "limited distribution" at brick-and-mortar establishments and head to online shops this July.
Pentax K-30 DSLR adds 15 new color options, gets both matte and gloss finishes
You might recall the weather-sealed delights of Pentax's K-30, but if you don't, perhaps a new palette of colors will leave a more permanent impression. The 16.3-megapixel DSLR can now be picked up in 15 new finishes, split between gloss and matte, and includes Bordeaux (that'll be deep red), White, Orange, Yellow, Green, Silver and Blue colors. However, it's still not the most customization options Pentax has offered. The K-30 has a long way to go if it wants to best the 100 variants of its mirrorless sibling, the Q10. Each one retails for $800, but to get the full catalog, you'll have to pass the digital doors of Pentax's online store.
OS X camera RAW compatibility update adds Sony RX1, Nikon D5200 and more
Apple's 'Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 4.04' is out, and although we rarely report on these frequent releases, there are a few notable shooters named in this particular version. Available for Macs running OS X Lion 10.7.5 and above, or Mountain Lion 10.8.2 and above, the update now allows RAW snaps from Sony's compact Cyber-shot RX1 and Nikon's D5200 SLR to play nice with Aperture and iPhoto software. Plenty of other cameras are also on the changelog: Leica's X2, V-Lux 4 and D-Lux 6, as well as Pentax's Q, K-30, K-5 II and IIs. A quick trip to the App Store will get you on the latest version and have you cooking something up in Aperture before you can say "medium-rare." Bon appétit.
The Daily Roundup for 01.31.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Pentax Optio WG-3 and WG-10 offer ruggedized shooting with a unique design, we go hands-on (video)
Some might call it ugly; we'll say unique. Regardless of your take on Pentax's ruggedized Optio housing, you'll get a capable waterproof shooter, with a handful of practical features. Two new models appeared this week at CP+ in Yokohama, Japan, and while both may look like they came from the same mold, the feature sets differ vastly. The more powerful compact, the WG-3, is also the slightly larger flavor. It packs a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, a sharp 3-inch LCD and a 4x, f/2-4.9 lens. Its survivability stats, printed around the lens, include waterproof to 14 meters (46 feet), shockproof to 2-meter (6.5-foot) drops, crush-proof to 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of force and cold-proof to -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit). Then there's the WG-10, which is basically just a rebranded WG-1, so we won't focus much on that. Both cameras have similar designs that scream "rugged" -- in other words, if you're a fan of Panasonic's original Toughbook design, you might find these attractive. They're incredibly solid-feeling, so while trade show tethers prevented us from doing any durability testing, they definitely look the part. We spent a few minutes with the WG-3 (or WG-III as indicated to the right of the lens) -- it's almost intimidating in appearance, as if it's telling other cameras to watch their backs. The display is sharp and bright and the camera was generally responsive, though it certainly won't break any records for speed. Interestingly, the WG-10, which we were originally told was a Target-exclusive, and therefore only available in red, was displayed with a black finish as well -- perhaps Pentax has different plans for that model in Japan, which makes sense, considering that there aren't any Target stores here. Either way, you should expect to see both of these hit stores in April, or you can sneak a peek now in our hands-on video after the break.
Pentax expands ruggedized series with Optio WG-3, Target-exclusive WG-10
Think it might be time for a new ruggedized Pentax? It looks like the company agrees -- two new models are making their debut this week at CP+. The first is actually a rebranded WG-1, now called the WG-10, which will be available exclusively at Target stores and the website beginning in April. It's identical to the WG-1, save for the obligatory red finish and a $180 price tag. The second model is more of an original number -- it's an update to last year's WG-2. The new compact, dubbed the WG-3, maintains the unique design of the other two Optios, including a nifty LED ring around the lens for lighting macro shots. There's a 16-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor, a 3-inch 460k-dot LCD, a 4x lens with an f/2 wide-angle maximum aperture, along with options for 1080/30p and 720/60p video capture. It's waterproof to 14 meters (46 feet), shockproof to 2 meters (6.5 feet) and freeze-proof to -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit). The basic version will run you $300, while a tricked-out $350 model adds GPS and Qi wireless charging, along with a secondary LCD that displays the current time, barometric pressure, a compass, altitude and underwater depth. Snag a peek in the gallery below.
Pentax shows NERV, flashes Japan-only Evangelion-flavored Q10s
We've seen Neon Genesis Evangelion-branded devices for quite awhile now, and as a testament to the garish-hued series' longevity, Pentax has announced a special edition, show-themed Q10 series of its own. It'll release a mere 1,500 of the models in Evangelion heroine shades, starting with the Eva-01 model shown above at a price of 59,800 Yen ($660 or so). Besides showing your love for '90s anime, that sum will get you a 12.4-megapixel, mirrorless interchangeable shooter capable of Full HD video, while filling out the already-bounteous Q10 color choices from the hue-loving outfit. Stateside fans of the show will likely be disappointed though -- it'll only be sold in Japan, starting in April. Check the source to see the other colors.
