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PENTAX Announces K10D
Digital SLR
Combining 10.2 Effective Megapixels with
the Latest Technologies for Superior-Quality
Image Reproduction
Mississauga, ON – September 13,
2006
PENTAX Canada Inc. is pleased to introduce
the PENTAX K10D digital SLR camera. The
K10D combines 10.2 effective megapixels
with a host of advanced technologies, including
the PENTAX-original Shake Reduction (SR)
system and a weather-resistant body.
Designed to deliver high-quality digital
SLR photography and responsive operation
for advanced photo enthusiasts, the K10D
features an array of PENTAX innovations
in image capture and image functionality.
Key features include the PENTAX-developed
Shake Reduction (SR) system that effectively
offers a 2.5 to 4 EV advantage for sharp,
blur-free images even under difficult shooting
conditions, a newly developed 22-bit A/D
converter designed to convert a large volume
of data more faithfully and swiftly, and
a new PENTAX Real Image Engine (PRIME),
designed exclusively for the K10D, to produce
well-balanced, true-to-life images.
The K10D also comes equipped with a new
Dust Removal (DR) system to keep dust off
the CCD surface, a PENTAX-original exposure
system for faithful reproduction of the
photographer’s creative intentions,
and a dependable dust-resistant, weather-resistant
body construction featuring 72 seals throughout
the camera to allow photographers to continue
shooting even in dusty or rainy environments.
All combined, the K10D delivers exceptionally
high image quality and responds brilliantly
to the exacting demands of advanced photographers.
The K10D will be available in Canada early
November 2006.
Key Features
High-quality image reproduction
The K10D features a large, high-performance
23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD with 10.2 effective
megapixels as its image sensor, assuring
the reproduction of true-to-life, rich-gradation
images.
PENTAX-original Shake Reduction mechanism
for blur-free images
The K10D is equipped with the exclusive,
PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system,
which effectively reduces camera shake for
sharp, blur-free images even under demanding
shooting conditions, such as when using
a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark or
at night without supplementary flash illumination,
or using extended exposures for sunset scenes.
This innovative mechanism shifts the position
of the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally
at high speed using magnetic force, while
adjusting the shifting speed in proportion
to the amount of camera shake detected by
a built-in sensor. It offers an outstanding
camera shake compensation effect equivalent
to 2.5 to 4 shutter-speed steps. As a result,
it does not require special anti-shake lenses,
and can be used with almost all existing
PENTAX interchangeable lenses.*
* Lenses compatible with
this mechanism are the PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF-
and KAF2-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses
(with an adapter); and 645- are 67-system
lenses (with an adapter). Some functions
may not be applicable with certain lenses.
Newly developed A/D converter for truthful
image data conversion
The K10D incorporates a high-performance
A/D converter, which faithfully converts
the analog data collected by the CCD image
sensor into digital data. With the highest
resolving power (22 bits, or 4.2 million
gradations) among all existing digital cameras,
it offers a digital-conversion capacity
1,024 times greater than conventional 12-bit,
4,096-gradation A/D converters.
Newly designed PRIME imaging engine
The K10D incorporates the new PRIME (PENTAX
Real Image Engine) as its imaging engine.
Designed exclusively for PENTAX digital
SLR cameras, this new imaging engine produces
high-definition, true-to-life images through
well-balanced control of CCD signals, including
saturation, brightness, white balance, sharpness
and contrast. Its new memory (DDR2: Double
Data Rate 2) also serves to enhance speedy
image processing and high-speed data transfer.
Dust Removal system to keep the CCD
surface dust-free
The K10D features the new Dust Removal (DR)
system to prevent dust from sticking to
the surface of the low-pass filter over
the CCD image sensor. Applied to the low-pass
filter over the CCD surface through a vapour
deposition process of a fluorine compound,
the PENTAX-original Super Protect (SP) coating
effectively prevents dust and stains from
sticking to the surface. Additionally, dust
that still remains on the surface will be
shaken off when the SR system shifts the
CCD at high speed. The dust that is shaken
off the CCD will fall onto an adhesive sheet
positioned at the bottom of the SR unit,
eliminating any possibility of its returning
to the CCD surface.
Dust-resistant, weather-resistant construction
The K10D boasts a reliable dust-proof, water-resistant
construction, with special seals applied
to 72 different parts of the camera body,
including the shutter release button and
switches/levers/dials, making it possible
to use the K10D in rainy or at dusty locations
without worries.
Original exposure system for faithful
reproduction of creative intentions
Hyper Program function
The K10D’s Hyper Program function allows
the user to instantly switch to the Shutter-
Priority AE (Tv) mode or Aperture-Priority
AE (Av) mode from the Program AE mode, with
a simple turn of the electronic dials on
the camera body or optional vertical release
grip D-BG2 (one on the front for index-finger
control, and the other on the back for thumb
control). To return to the Program AE mode,
simply press the green button positioned
next to the shutter release button.
Hyper Manual function
When shooting in Manual mode, a single push
of the green button allows the user to instantly
set the proper exposure for the subject.
The user can select what is adjusted to
achieve the correct exposure, shutter speed
alone, aperture alone or both shutter speed
and aperture.
Sensitivity-Priority mode
The K10D features a new Sensitivity-Priority
AE (Sv) mode, which is designed to automatically
select the optimum combination of aperture
and shutter speed for a user-selected sensitivity.
The sensitivity can be shifted instantly
(in 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps) by turning the
electronic dial. This mode eliminates the
need to recall a menu screen for sensitivity
changes, allowing the photographer to react
more quickly to changing photographic conditions.
Shutter & Aperture-Priority mode
Another exposure mode offered by the K10D
is Shutter & Aperture-Priority AE (TAv)
mode, which is designed to automatically
select the most appropriate sensitivity
for a user-selected shutter-speed &
aperture combination.
Customizable Electronic Dial Functions
The function assigned to the front and rear
electronic dials can be changed to suit
the users’ preference further enhancing
the creative control of the image.
Bright, clear viewfinder
Featuring a glass pentaprism, the K10D’s
viewfinder offers a 95-percent field of
view and a 0.95-times magnification, for
easy viewing of the subject and effortless
confirmation of focus and composition on
the large viewfinder image. Coupled with
the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing
screen, it delivers a large, bright subject
image.
Auto sensitivity control up to ISO 1600
The K10D’s auto sensitivity control
function automatically sets the optimum
sensitivity up to ISO 1600, based on such
data as the subject’s brightness level
and the lens’ focal length. The sensitivity
range can be adjusted for both the highest
and lowest value to be used. Since this
function allows the use of higher shutter
speeds in poor lighting situations (such
as indoor sports events and night scenes),
it helps the photographer to effectively
reduce camera shake and prevent blurred
images. For specialized applications, the
sensitivity can be set manually from ISO
100 to ISO 1600.
Continuous shooting at approximately
three images per second
To trace the movement of an active subject
or capture a sequence of the subject’s
expressions, the K10D offers a continuous
shooting mode that allows the photographer
to capture a series of images at a maximum
speed of approximately three images per
second. In the JPEG recording format, the
user is allowed to take as many images in
succession as desired, until the capacity
of an SD memory card runs out. In RAW and
RAW+JPEG recording formats 10 images and
6 images respectively can be taken before
the buffer is filled.
Reliable shutter unit
The K10D’s shutter unit is designed
to withstand nearly 100,000 releases, while
assuring high-precision operation over the
entire shutter-speed range — up to
a top speed of 1/4000 second. It also features
a flash synchronization speed of 1/180 second
for more versatile flash photography.
11-point wide-frame AF
The K10D’s sophisticated SAFOX
VIII autofocus system features 11 sensor
points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned
in the middle of the image area) to automatically
focus on the subject with utmost precision,
even when it is positioned off centre. The
in-focus sensor point is automatically superimposed
in red in the viewfinder for at-a-glance
confirmation. Manual focus point selection
is possible.
Extra-large, wide-view LCD monitor
The K10D incorporates an extra-large
2.5-inch colour LCD monitor on its back
panel. Its wide-view design allows the photographer
to check the monitor image from 140 degrees
both vertically and horizontally, ensuring
effortless image viewing even from a diagonal
position. With approximately 210,000 pixels,
it also offers digital zooming of playback
images up to 20 times for easy confirmation
of the image’s focusing status and
details.
Powerful rechargeable batteries for
extended shooting
The K10D features new, large-capacity
lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, which
can capture approximately 500 images** when
fully recharged.
** Under testing conditions prescribed
by the CIPA standards (flash illumination
used in 50% of images).
Compatibility with supersonic direct-drive
motor lenses (SDM)
The K10D is designed to be compatible
with supersonic direct-drive motor auto
focus lenses (currently under development),
which are expected to provide smoother,
quieter autofocus operation than conventional
lenses.
Additional features:
- Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering,
centre-weighted metering and spot metering
to accommodate various photographic applications
- High-rigidity stainless-steel chassis
- 32 custom functions to personalize camera
operations
- Extended bracketing function to capture
three images of the same subject at different
exposure, contrast, saturation, sharpness
or white-balance levels
- Compatibility with conventional SD memory
cards and newly introduced high capacity
SDHC memory cards
- Choice of two preview functions (digital/optical)
- Simultaneous recording of RAW and JPEG
images
- Two RAW formats, PENTAX RAW (PEF) and
Adobe Digital Negative (DNG) with in camera
RAW processing possible
- Manual fine adjustment of white balance
- Date folder to simplify the arrangement
and search of recorded images
- Six built-in digital filters (Black-and-white,
Sepia, Slim, Soft, Brightness and Colour)
for easy editing of recorded images
- Remote shutter release from the front
and back sides of the camera using optional
remote controller
- PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 RAW data processing
software and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3 browser
software, included on the accompanying
CD-ROM
- Compatibility with PictBridge, DPOF,
Exif Print and PRINT Image Matching III
systems
D-BG2 Battery Grip
The D-BG2 was developed for exclusive use
with the PENTAX K10D. The battery grip functions
to both increase the battery life by housing
a second D-LI50 battery and as an ergonomically
designed vertical release grip. With an
extra shutter-release button, preview lever,
two electronic dials, AE-lock button and
green button, it makes vertical-position
shooting simple and effortless. In addition
to housing an additional battery virtually
doubling the battery life it has storage
slots for a spare SD memory card and the
optional Infrared Remote Control. With a
total of 38 seals it also features the same
dust-proof, water-resistant construction
as the K10D camera body for use in rainy
or dusty conditions.
- Power source: Exclusive lithium-ion
battery (D-LI50 type)
- Dimensions: 140 (W) x 43 (H) x 73.5
(D) mm (excluding protrusions)
- Weight: 235g (without battery)
- Available November 2006
PENTAX Canada Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary
of PENTAX Corporation of Japan and maintains
offices in Mississauga. PENTAX markets cameras,
lenses, binoculars, surveying equipment,
closed circuit television lenses and medical
equipment.
PENTAX on the web at www.pentax.ca
¨ SD Logo and SDHC Logo
are trademarks
¨ PENTAX and smc PENTAX
are trademarks of PENTAX Corporation
¨ PENTAX PHOTO Browser
and PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory are trademarks
of PENTAX Corporation
¨ All other brands or
product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
¨ Design and Specifications
are subject to change without notice
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