Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company Ltd has announced the launch of the Pentax K-30 all weather DSLR.
The new mid-level camera is appealingly priced at $899 RRP with 18-55mm lens. (B&H US online price with 18 – 55mm lens is US$899.95). It offers all standard SLR features and outstanding operability in a compact, lightweight body that is also weather-resistant, dustproof, and designed for the outdoor photographer.
The Pentax K-30 combines a body equal in size and weight to entry-level models with advanced features such as a weather-resistant, dustproof body and a glass prism finder with nearly 100 percent field of view.
It also offers high-speed burst shooting at a maximum speed of approximately six images per second, a shutter unit with a top speed of 1/6000 second, and a pair of electronic dials for quick, fingertip setting changes.
The K-30’s sporty, functional design is coupled with a grip to provide a firm, comfortable hold of the camera, assuring dependable performance in the field. It’s available in three high-gloss body colours: crystal white, crystal blue, and black.
It has a large-area 16-megapixel CMOS sensor measuring 23.7mm by 15.7mm and operates in an ISO range of 100 – 12,800 (or ISO 25600 when expanded via a custom function).
Eighty-one seals provide weather-resistance and dustproofing, as well as operation in temperatures as low as -10°C. A large grip provides for a firm, secure hold of the camera; a low-profile pentaprism housing reduces overall height and a rounded, soft-rubber casing allows for firm hold of the camera during vertical-position shooting.
The K-30 accepts a Pentax Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen to facilitate manual-focusing operation. The photographer can replace the standard focusing screen with one of the available optional screens, including cross-lined and scale types, to accommodate more specialised applications.
In addition to the standard lithium-ion battery capable of capturing approximately 480 images with a single recharge, the K-30 can also be powered by four AA-size batteries using the optional D-BH109 AA-Battery Holder, expanding it’s dependability when away from home.
The K-30 offers a clear, true-to-life Live-View image (at 60 frames per second). It also features a focus-assist function to improve manual-focusing accuracy, as well as a choice of three grid display patterns including Golden Section.
In Auto Picture mode, the camera automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene from Portrait, Landscape, Macro and other modes. There are 19 Scene modes — including Night Scene Portrait, Pet and Backlight Silhouette.
In addition there are 11 custom image choices, Bleach Bypass to create a dramatic visual effect used in motion pictures, and Cross Process to produce an eye-catching image with dramatic colours. It also offers a choice of 19 distinctive digital filters, including Miniature, which transforms an actual scene into what appears to be an image of miniature models. The user can further expand the creative possibilities by applying multiple filters to a single image.
The Pentax SR (shake reduction) mechanism tilts the image sensor unit in all directions, and delivers several useful features to assist the photographer during shooting. These include: an Automatic Horizon Correction function to assure high-precision image framing and effortless adjustment of horizontal alignment; a Composition Adjustment function to allow minute adjustment of image alignment horizontally, vertically and axially; and an ‘Astrotracer’ mode, to simplify astronomical photography in combination with the optional O-GPS1 GPS Unit.
Contact Pentax’s Australian distributor, CR Kennedy on (03) 9823 1555 or visit www.pentax.com.au
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