Pentax has announced the release of the K100D and the K110D, the two latest additions to its range of digital SLRs, and a move away from confusing names a'la the *ist D, which we are all in favour of. Both cameras are identical in specification apart from one feature - Shake Reduction - which is present on the K100D but not the K110D. Apart from this, all the details below are the same. The cameras are marketed as entry-level SLRs for users moving up from point-and-shoots.
Both have a 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.1 mega-pixel sensor for capture of images and they can be finished in one of two colour tones: “Bright” for contrast and sharpness or “Natural” for (obviously) more natural colours that are suitable for later retouching.
The cameras are designed to be small and lightweight, with a stainless steel chassis and fibre reinforced polycarb housing. Being an SLR, there is a true viewfinder with 96% field of view and a 2.5” LCD for image playback - that allows 12x digital zooming when later viewing images.
Off centre autofocus is possible with the SAFOX VIII AF system that uses eleven sensor points, nine of which are cross-type. This is available in both single AF and continuous AF. Of the eight picture modes, the main four (Portrait, Landscape, Macro and Normal) are also part of the Pentax exclusive “Auto Picture Mode” that automatically selects the best mode and settings to allow the photographer to concentrate on composition. Inevitably the cameras come with software included, this time Pentax Photo Laboratory 3. This handles RAW data processing, and can convert RAW to DNG. SD cards are used for storage, but MMC cards are unusually not supported.
The Shake Reduction system is only featured on the K100D and works to allow sharp, blur free images by oscillating the CCD in both directions using the magic of magnetism - the speed of oscillation being based on the amount of camera shake detected. The advantage of this is that special anti-shake (and expensive) lenses aren't required and so almost all existing Pentax lenses are compatible, see the spec box below for a full list.
The K100D is out first, in America at least, in July 2006 priced at $699.95. Little brother K110D is out August 2006 for $599.95. Both cameras will come with the Pentax smc 18-55 lens. When UK and Europe release details become available, we will let you know.
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