Denver, CO—Pentax Ricoh Imaging Americas’ weather- and dust-resistant Pentax K-30 digital SLR is targeted at photographers with outdoor lifestyles. The mid-range DSLR combines a compact, lightweight body with features found in higher end DSLRs, such as a glass prism optical finder with 100% field of view and .92x magnification, enhanced autofocusing and Full HD video recording capabilities.
“No detail was overlooked when designing the dynamic new K-30 to be weather resistant,” explained John Carlson, senior manager, Sales and Marketing, Pentax. “Every seam, every button, every hinge has been weather sealed for adventureproof creative photography. Whether enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking in the Rocky Mountains or on vacation cruising along on the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls, photographers can stop worrying about weather conditions and start focusing on capturing the perfect shot.”
Other notable features include a 16 megapixel APS-C-size CMOS sensor, a 3.0-inch high-res LCD, high-speed burst shooting at six images per second, a 1/6,000-sec high-speed shutter, live view at 60 frames per sec with three grid display patterns, dual electronic dials for fingertip access to exposure control and auto picture and scene modes, and a RAW/Fx multifunction button for on-the-fly switching of image file formats.
A new SAFOX IXi+ AF sensor module was added to assure responsive, high-precision autofocus by incorporating a diffraction lens to minimize chromatic aberration in accordance to the characteristics of individual lens. A dedicated sensor also factors the light source into its calculations at the time of shooting. Additionally, 9 of its 11 focus points have cross-type sensors to capture subjects in sharp focus, while a spot beam assists the AF system in low light. Also, an expanded area AF function allows the sensor module to continue to track a moving subject in AF select mode, even when it moves out of a preassigned auto-tracking area.
For outdoor performance, the camera boasts 81 seals with proven functionality in subfreezing temperatures as low as 14° F. Its exterior was designed to be both sporty and functional for active outdoor photographers: a large grip provides a firm hold; its low-profile pentaprism housing reduces height; and a rounded, soft-rubber casing provides a grip during vertical shooting. And, the K-30 is available in three body colors: white and blue with glossy finishes and black for a traditional SLR look. It is also compatible with all Pentax K-mount lenses.
The K-30’s sensor is coupled with Pentax’s “Prime M” imaging engine to produce Full HD 1080p movie clips (1,920×1,080 pixels) at a choice of frame rates (30, 25 or 24 fps), or 60 fps at 720p—all with shake reduction compensation. Users can add artistic effects to recorded clips using custom image modes or record subjects in a series of video clips with the interval movie-shooting mode.
The camera is engineered to minimize luminance noise at low sensitivities, while offering a sensitivity range between ISO 100 and ISO 12,800 (ISO 25600 maximum when expanded via a custom function). It also features auto picture mode, which analyzes a scene then automatically selects the best mode from portrait, landscape, macro and others. There are also 19 creative scene modes—including night scene portrait, pet and backlight silhouette, to simplify photographing scenes that often require uncommon settings—19 creative digital filters, and 11 custom settings, like bleach bypass that creates a visual effect similar to that used in motion pictures and cross process to produce images with dramatic colors.
The Pentax K-30 will be available in July with an MSRP of $849.95 body only and $899.95 in a kit with the DA L 18-55mm zoom lens. pentaximaging.com