Pentax expands its K series of cameras by introducing Pentax K-7 digital SLR camera designed mainly for high-profile photographers on a look-out for top-class design camera with features of DSLR system at an affordable price. It packs in new set of features that were never included before in any Pentax K series cameras. This DSLR flaunts rugged compact body design, HD Movie Capture, unique-to- Pentax camera controls and 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor rebuilt from the ground up.
K-7 supports all Pentax lenses and is claimed to comprise of an array of exclusive features which makes it a good photography tool.
“The K-7 will appeal to many current Pentax SLR photographers who have been asking for more advanced features, but in a smaller, solid, comfortable-to-hold body,†said Ned Bunnell, president, Pentax Imaging Company. “We also believe the combination of the K-7’s smaller, high quality construction coupled with the growing line-up of our Limited compact prime lenses will appeal to serious shooters who currently don’t own or previously hadn’t considered adding a Pentax to their camera bag.â€
K-7 sports a compact magnesium alloy body that is 25 percent smaller than other similar cameras thereby reducing the additional weight the photographers bear while traveling. The 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor rebuilt from the ground up in the camera allows noiseless photography and comes equipped with four channel output to enable rapid clicking of photos. It also enables the user to capture HD quality movies. The amalgamation of resolution and size of the file provides large poster size output or even bigger prints and greater cropping flexibility.
The camera can quickly determine accurate exposure in demanding complex lighting environment with its 77 segment metering system. HD Movie capture feature includes mechanical Shake Reduction, external microphone terminal for recording stereo sound, aperture control and adjustable quality and resolution settings.
This Pentax camera captures video at 1280×720 (default) resolution with 16:9 aspect ratio, 1536×1024 resolution or 640×416 resolution with 3:2 aspect ratio at the rate of 30 fps.
The included HDMI port facilitates viewing high definition images and videos on television on a selective 1080i, 720p, 480p or auto resolution screen. Moreover, the AF-assist lamp gives accurate auto focus response in low light atmosphere.
The device reduces editing after the image is captured as the Electronic Level function ensures proper level of the horizon in the picture.
The in-built Lens Correction function adjusts Distortion and Lateral Chromatic Aberrations electronically, thereby enhancing the quality of image with DA series lenses. The Mirror Lock-up function eliminates blurring of the photo during longer exposures due to mirror movement.
The High Dynamic Range (HDR) image capture mode broadens the exposure gamut by clicking three images and later combining them in camera to bring out details in all exposure areas of images. Its composition adjustment involving little shifts in framing and composition of the picture can be done in live view with the help of Shake Reduction mechanism. One need not move the camera manually for the same.
K-7’s programmable embedded copyright function records ownership in metatag data. Thus, maintaining artistic integrity and image ownership when the photographer captures an image through a keypad.
The camera facilitates capturing of detailed images and reviewing them using Live View function on its 3-inch LCD display screen with 921,000 dot resolution.
Users can easily capture quality sports events or quick action scenes with its PRIME II Image processing engine that contains fast circuitry and 4 channel output along with a speed of 5.2 fps. To add to this, the shutter speed of 1/8000 sec enables capture of quickest actions.
Users need not keep their eye glued to the viewfinder while composing an image; it is made possible by the Live View mode. The mode comes with bright/dark area display, optional histogram, face detection and contrast AF.
K-7 sports a complete field-of-view viewfinder with bright focusing screen. They help in correct focus and image composition. This Pentax device delivers fast, more responsive AF due to its 11-point autofocus system along with enhanced focus algorithms.
Furthermore, the Shake Reduction system sharpens the image at the time of its capture. K-7’s Dust Reduction system deploys piezo-ceramic vibration action attached to the low-pass filter of the sensor to furnish a dust-free output. The high capacity battery offers longer battery life apt for traveling users.
The digital filters, aspect ratio and superior image capture settings minimize computer photo manipulation and provide immense flexibility and creative space to the user.
One can customize the processing mode according to personal tastes using the Custom Image modes with high-quality parameter settings.
Additionally, using the white balance settings, one can fine-tune the image, perform color temperature adjustments and manually alter the white balance in an image.
Studio photographers need not deploy hot shoe adapters and instead can use the given convenient PC socket for studio flash. Besides all these features, K-7 comes equipped with interval shooting and multi-exposure functions for users who wish to give creative special effects to images and practice time-lapse photography.
Pentax has also announced the D-BG4 battery grip that can be combined with the rechargeable lithium-ion battery for longer battery durability. Moreover, D-BG4 battery supports 6 AA batteries in an alternate battery tray.
Along with the launch of K-7 SLR digital camera, Pentax has also come up with two new weather resistant models of lenses namely the smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR and the smc DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED WR kit. These affordable and flexible lenses boast weather-resistant seals that handle stormy and damp conditions.
Pentax K-7 digital SLR camera is priced at $1,299.95 (approx. Rs.61,689), the Pentax D-BG4 battery grip is priced at $229.95 (approx Rs.10,914) while the weather resistant lenses DA 18-55mm and DA 50-200mm are priced at $199.95 (approx Rs.9,490) and $249.95 (approx Rs.11,862) respectively, these products will be shipping in July this year.
