14 DAY TRIAL // Over the past few weeks, you've been able to see just what some of the biggest names in digital photography have planned for this year's Photokina show. However, one name was missing (Pentax), but it seems that the company's not about to let this major event go by without launching a new product, so they've just made public their K-m (or K2000, in the US) model, a camera targeting especially inexperienced digital SLR photographers.
The core of the PENTAX K-m is a large, 10.2-megapixel CCD image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm), accompanied by the manufacturer's own PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) image processing unit. The digital camera also delivers a fairly OK shooting speed level, namely around 3.5 frames per second (in the JPEG recording format).
In order to assure a higher level of quality for the images, the new DSLR from Pentax also incorporates a proprietary SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism that reduces camera shake by shifting the position of the 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. The compensation effect is actually quite a high one, up to the equivalent of approximately four shutter steps (according to Pentax's statement). The most important result of the SR system (besides enhanced image quality), is the fact that the K-m DSLR does not require special anti-shake lenses, and can be used with almost all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses.
Furthermore, the PENTAX K-m incorporates a five-point wide-area AF system (SAFOX VIII with five cross-type sensors) to assure high-precision autofocusing. By using the five sensors positioned in a cross pattern over the image field (one in the middle, two on the sides, one on top and one at the bottom), this system automatically selects the optimum sensor for a given subject. It also allows the user to fix the AF detection point at the middle sensor and offers improved autofocusing speed under poor-lighting conditions.
The device also sports an auto sensitivity control function that automatically sets the optimum sensitivity between ISO 100 and ISO 3200, allowing users to take advantage of faster shutter speeds in poor lighting situations. Moreover, in order to allow even absolute beginners to take relatively good quality shots, the camera sports an advanced Auto Picture mode, which automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for each situation and adjusts all of the camera's settings accordingly.
Besides the features related strictly to the optical system, the PENTAX K-m also offers users an improved control positioning system, most buttons and levers being placed on the camera’s grip side. Furthermore, the digital camera sports a 2.7-inch LCD, as well as an advanced viewfinder, with an approximately 96-percent field of view and an approximately 0.85-times magnification.
Along with the K-m DSLR camera, Pentax has also released a couple of lenses, namely two DA L-series interchangeable zoom lenses: the smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL and the smc PENTAX-DA L 50-200mmF4-5.6ED.
Although the pricing differs in Europe and the United States, it would seem that the new Pentax K-m (or K2000) will be available solely bundled with the smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL (for around 700 US dollars) or with both lenses, for around 1,500 US dollars.
