Denver, CO—Focused on expanding the number of Pentax DSLR camera owners, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation announced the Pentax K-S1 digital SLR, which is designed to attract mid-level customers who are accustomed to a mobile interface and are looking for a similar interaction in a DSLR.
“With the K-S1, we are building on our solid reputation as a camera company and inviting new customers to experience the Pentax advantage,” said Jim Malcolm, executive vice president, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. “Our core Pentax products provide an important foundation that the K-S1 builds upon.”
By combining the company’s imaging technology, distinct design cues and a flat-field user interface, the K-S1 is built to appeal to the next generation Pentax owner without surrendering the performance expected in a mid-class camera. Based on many of the technologies benchmarked in the popular Pentax K-3 advanced DSLR, the K-S1 incorporates a newly designed 20 megapixel image sensor and is capable of providing a super-high sensitivity of ISO 51,200 as well as 5.4 frames-per-second shooting at a 1/6,000 shutter speed. The new model also contains in-body shake reduction, an AA filter simulator and a 100% field of view glass pentaprism viewfinder.
Adding to the user experience is its unique flat-field user interface (IU), which integrates a backlit LED selection dial, four-way navigation and a bright 3.0-inch, 921,000-dot LCD monitor that breaks tradition of the knobs and buttons found on most DSLRs. The simple UI was developed to eliminate many of the complexities of a DSLR and provide immediate feedback, including shooting parameters, filter selection and effect modes, even in total darkness. The camera’s power switch, mode dial, OK button and grip all feature LED illumination—each of which indicates the current status of camera operation.
An optional Flucard for Pentax offers additional features, such as Wi-Fi transfer, wireless live view and remote capture control. It also allows users to take control of their camera settings with a smartphone, tablet or computer, and save images directly to a mobile device.
The K-S1 comes in three standard colors—black, blue or white. Two additional color collections are available: the Fabric collection, which contains four unique colors such as cotton beige and tweed gray; and the Night Sky collection, with five colors, including sunset orange, dawn purple and midnight black.
The Pentax K-S1 kit, including an 18–55mm lens, has a suggested retail price of $799.95. The K-S1 body only retails for $749.95. us.ricoh-imaging.com
