Ricoh Imaging has announced a new weatherproof Pentax K-S2 DSLR with 20-megapixel resolution.
The K-S2 is claiming ‘smallest weatherproof DSLR’ title, and also comes equipped with Wi-Fi and NFC, and a variable-angle LCD monitor that can be rotated for shooting selfies.
The 3-inch screen has a resolution of 921K dots and ‘Air Gapless LCD construction’ for better visibility outdoors. The 20-megapixel CMOS sensor doesn’t have an Anti-Aliasing Filter, improving overall image quality, and has a sensitivity range up to ISO 51,200.
There is an Advanced HDR Mode (A-HDR) on the mode dial and a new clarity enhancement option adds more realistic texture to images by enhancing the spatial frequencies to match with human visual characteristics.
The K-S2 comes with a glass prism finder with 100 percent field of view and approximately 0.95-times magnification. The SAFOX X AF module has 11 focusing points (9 cross-sensor points). Expanded area AF allows accurate focusing on moving subjects.
Dual electronic dials (E-Dials) enable simultaneous adjustment of aperture and shutter speed settings, while high-speed continuous shooting is available at up to 5.4 frames per second. The K-S2 provides a top shutter speed of 1/6000 second and includes Multi-exposure, Interval shooting and Interval composite capture modes.
The in-camera Pentax SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism minimises camera shake and assures sharp, blur-free images, even with longer lenses. Eleven ‘Custom Image’ modes provide flexible control of various parameters. Nine digital filters are also available, along with 19 pre-set Scene Modes and a hands-off Auto Picture mode, which is designed for novice users.
Full HD movie recording is available with stereo audio. An external microphone jack is also provided. Users can also capture time lapse movies in HD with the ‘Star Stream’ function, which can record series of still images, such as stars, and save them as an AVI movie. Two User memories on the mode dial support customisation of camera controls to fit all users’ requirements.
The new smc Pentax-DA L 18-50mm f/4-5.6 DC WR RE weather-resistant zoom lens matches the compact body of the K-S2. It is retractable and measures just 41mm in height in its stored position.
The Pentax K-S2 will be offered in black, white and black/orange colours with other colours available through special order. The new 18-50mm will be available in black and white.
Local release date and pricing are coming soon, but judging by overseas pricing, and local distributor CR Kennedy’s policy of adding a negligible local premium, the K-S2 will offer the local market enthusiast features at an entry-level price.
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