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Good old PMA. Always full of camera announcements to keep the wheels of commerce rolling along. Go commerce!

First up we have the Pentax K20D. It’s similar to the Pentax K10D, with such upgrades as a 14.6 megapixel sensor manufactured by Samsung, live view, and an expanded dynamic range function. They say that the new sensor, while the same size as their competitors’ 12 megapixel sensors, has less circuitry around the edges, and therefore larger light-sensitive areas that let them get away with a higher resolution without more noise. It’ll be interesting to see what the tests turn up when K20D reviews start to come in. It fits in the midrange of DSLR models, above the also-new Pentax K200D, their entry-level model. The K200D is an update to the K100D, getting a resolution upgrade to 10.2 megapixels. It also features a weather-sealed body, and a CCD-based anti-shake system.

Also recently announced is the Samsung GX-20, which uses the same sensor as the Pentax K20D. And is all-around very similar; the body could easily be confused for a K20D body, and the resolution and main features are all the same. It sounds like Samsung has their own firmware, and they say they have different JPEG processing than the Pentax, but presumably the RAW files would be pretty indistinguishable between the GX-20 and K20D.

Pentax also announced a handful of new lenses: a 200mm f/2.8, 300mm f/4, 35mm f/2.8 macro, 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, and a 55-300 f/4-5.8.

A few scattered DSLR rumors for you this New Year’s Eve day.

Nikon D60

First is the Nikon D60. The rumors say it’ll be arriving in spring of 2008. These rumors supposedly come from someone who leaked the news about the Nikon D3 before the official announcement, and so are slightly more believable than what some random person with no credibility posts on the Internet.

These rumors are being paired up with news that the Nikon D40x is being discontinued, and the theory is the D60 (or whatever it’ll wind up being called) would be the replacement for the D40x.

Canon 450D

Canon is scheduled to make some big announcements in their DSLR line in January, and this rumor of a Canon 450D (which would be a successor to the Canon Digital Rebel XTi) fit with that.

According to these rumors, it would have a 10.1 megapixel sensor (not full frame), the Canon DIGIC III processor, offer 14-bit RAW images, have a 2.5″ LCD display with live view, better autofocus, support for sRAW, a dust removal system, and burst mode up to 5 fps.

The rumored date for the rumored camera is January 24th (no big surprise what with PMA at that point.)

Pentax K200D

This one looks like the most trustworthy rumor of the bunch, see all the photos over at Photography Bay. That’s an insane amount of image chopping if it’s fake.

The rumored specs — which didn’t come attached to the photos, so they might be a little more suspect — are that the K200D will have a 10 megapixel Sony image sensor, 3 fps burst mode (a maximum of 10 shots in RAW, no limit with JPEGs), 11-point auto focus, and a larger LCD than the K100D (size unspecified in the rumors I could find.)

Big heaping salt blocks should be used with any of this news, but I’m passing it along because what kind of irresponsible web journalist would I be if I didn’t? Not a very good one, I can promise you that.

Pentax has announced a new and improved version of their K100D camera, which is the K100D Super. The major improvements are a sensor dust removal system similar to the Pentax K10D’s, the ability to go to 3200 ISO, and SDM lens support. SDM is Supersonic Drive Motor, the Pentax equivalent of Canon’s USM for faster and quieter focusing.

Below is the full press release announcing the camera, leaving in their brain-dead URL for where you can get images, which is an internal IP address that’s not available to anyone except people on Pentax’s internal network. Not exactly the sign of a quality press release. And that came out a week and a half ago, and hasn’t been fixed yet. I guess they’re leaving the mistake there for historical accuracy? Anyway, here it is:

PENTAX INTRODUCES ENTRY-LEVEL ‘K100D SUPER’ DIGITAL SLR WITH ADVANCED FEATURES
June 27, 2007

GOLDEN, CO. (June 27, 2007)….PENTAX Imaging Company announced the PENTAX K100D Super digital SLR with innovative features usually found on more advanced, higher-priced cameras. The newest member of the K Series of digital SLRs combines the PENTAX Shake Reduction (SR) system, an innovative Dust Removal (DR) system, and full compatibility with PENTAX SDM lenses.

The K100D Super builds on the popular PENTAX K100D digital SLR camera that first shipped in July 2006. Incorporating the PENTAX-original Dust Removal (DR) system previously available only in more advanced models, PENTAX takes entry-level SLR users to the next level with the new K100D Super Digital SLR. A PENTAX-original design, the Dust Removal system helps keep the CCD surface dust-free to ensure spotless images. The new PENTAX digital SLR also offers full compatibility with PENTAX SDM lenses. Together, these features upgrade the K100D Super to a technologically advanced SLR at a very affordable price.

Compatible with any PENTAX SLR lens ever produced,* PENTAX K100D Super offers a large 2.5 inch LCD monitor with 210,000 pixel resolution and a friendly Mode Dial featuring Auto Picture and Picture modes as well as new Scene modes for even simpler photography. The 6.1 megapixel APS-C size CCD, 11-point autofocus mechanism, and sophisticated 16 segment multi-pattern metering delivers outstanding image reproduction, while the bright, high-precision Penta mirror viewfinder features a 96% field of view and 0.85X magnification. With this array of advanced features and an easy-to-hold, easy-to-use design, the K100D Super delivers high-quality digital SLR photography to users of all levels including SLR beginners.

*With adapter for screw mount and 645/67 lenses

Along with the SLR, PENTAX has announced a new compact, easy-to-use AF200FG Auto Flash. The hot-shoe mount flash features a compact, lightweight body, a guide number of 20 (at ISO 100/m) and simple dial operation to assure effortless flash photography for everyone. The P-TTL auto flash system assures proper exposure level by measuring the flash’s pre-discharge with the camera’s multi-pattern metering system. The AF200FG uniformly covers the wide discharge angle of a 28mm lens (in the 35mm format) and includes a flip-down diffuser that can cover the angle of a 24mm lens (in the 35mm format).

Priced at US $599.95, the PENTAX K100D Super with 18-55mm lens will ship in August 2007. (Body alone is $519.95.) The AF200FG Auto Flash unit will ship in August 2007 for US $149.95.

Images are available here: http://10.10.20.26/Press/pressfiles.html

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital SLR and compact cameras, lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, eyepieces and mobile printers and scanners. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc.

PENTAX K100D Super Fact Sheet

PENTAX-Original Shake Reduction Mechanism For Sharp, Blur-Fee Images

The K100D Super is equipped with the PENTAX-original Shake Reduction (SR) system to reduce camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under demanding shooting conditions such as when using a telephoto lens or when shooting in low light without a flash. The SR mechanism is designed to minimize camera shake by oscillating the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the speed of oscillation in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor. As a result, the K100D Super gives the equivalent to approximately 2 to 3.5 shutter steps of compensation. Since this versatile system is compatible with all existing PENTAX interchangeable SLR lenses,* it does not require special anti-shake lenses equipped with add-on optics or devices.

*Compatible with K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2-mount lenses without an adapter, and screw-mount, 645-system and 67-system lenses with an adapter. Available functions may be limited with certain lenses.

Dust Removal System For Spotless Images

The K100D Super features the PENTAX original Dust Removal (DR) system to prevent dust from sticking to the surface of the low-pass filter in front of CCD image sensor. Through a vapor deposition process, a fluorine compound is applied to the surface of the low-pass filter. This PENTAX-original Super Protect (SP) coating effectively prevents dust and stains from sticking to the surface. Any remaining surface dust falls off when the SR system shifts the CCD at high speed. The dust lands on an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of it returning to the CCD surface.

Compatibility With SDM System For Smoother, Quieter Autofocus Operation

The K100D Super’s camera body is compatible with a new SDM system, which assures smoother, quieter autofocusing operation using a built in supersonic motor. When a lens equipped with the SDM system is mounted on the PENTAX K100D Super camera body, the focus mode is automatically switched to SDM-assisted autofocusing.

Auto Sensitivity Control Up To ISO equivalent of 3200

The K100D Super features an Auto Sensitivity Control function that automatically sets the optimum sensitivity up to ISO equivalent of 3200 (the highest automatic setting in its class) based on such data as the subject’s brightness level and the lens focal length. Since this function allows the use of higher shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor sports events and night scenes), photographers can effectively prevent blurred images. Users may also manually preprogram a desired level, from ISO 200 to the super-high sensitivity of the ISO 3200.

Auto Picture Mode For Effortless Point-and-Shoot SLR Photography

The PENTAX-original Auto Picture mode automatically and instantly selects one of five Picture modes (including Portrait, Landscape, and Macro) to create the most appropriate visual effect for a given subject. While the camera sets all primary parameters (including shutter speed, aperture, white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness), the photographer may concentrate on picture composition and shutter opportunity.

11-Point Wide-Frame AF To Capture Off-Center Subjects In Crisp Focus

The K100D Super’s sophisticated SAFOX VIII autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors in the middle) to automatically focus on the subject with utmost precision, even when it is positioned off center. The in-focus sensor point is automatically superimposed in red in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation.

Large LCD Monitor To Facilitate Image Viewing And Menu Setting

The K100D Super features a large 2.5-inch color LCD monitor on its back panel. Its wide-view design allows the photographer to check the monitor image over 140 degrees vertically and horizontally, ensuring effortless image viewing even from a diagonal position. It provides 210,000 pixels for high-resolution image viewing, with a zoom display function that lets users magnify and image up to 12 times for easy confirmation of the focus status and the subject’s expressions. The large monitor size allows for large letters, digits and icons on the menu screens to facilitate menu confirmation and camera operations.

Bright, Clear Viewfinder

The K100D Super features a lightweight penta-mirror viewfinder, which combines PENTAX-original finder optics with a Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen to deliver a bright, clear subject image with a 0.85-times magnification and a 96-percent field of view.

True-to-Life, Rich-Gradation Images Assured By 6.1 Effective Megapixels

The K100D features a large, high-performance 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD. By combining 6.1 effective megapixels with a high-performance imaging engine and advanced image-processing technologies, the K100D Super is designed to produce beautiful, true-to-life images that are rich in color gradation. The K100D Super offers a choice of two finishing touches of “Natural” or “Bright” to create a distinctive atmosphere.

Compatibility With High-Quality, High–Capacity SDHC Memory Card

The K100D Super accepts not only the conventional SD memory card as its storage media, but also the newly standardized SDHC card,* which allows users to store higher numbers of large data files, such as RAW-format images.

* SD High Capacity card, with a storage capacity exceeding 2 GB

Compact, lightweight body with optimum holding comfort

The K100D Super has been designed to be compact and lightweight for easy carrying and enhanced maneuverability with an easy-to-hold grip to assure a stable shooting position.

Other features:

*
19 custom functions to personalize camera operations
*
Consecutive shooting of up to five frames at the speed of approximately 2.8 frames per second
*
(at BEST image quality in JPEG format)
*
Eight distinctive Scene modes to accommodate specific subjects/applications
*
Choice of two preview functions (digital/optical)
*
Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering
*
to accommodate various photographic applications
*
Noise reduction mechanism to reduce digital noise during extended exposures
*
Dual power source (two CR-V3 lithium batteries, or four AA-size batteries)
*
USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED) compatibility for speedy data transfer to PC
*
Five digital filters (Black-and-white, Sepia, Slim, Soft and Brightness)
*
for easy editing of recorded images
*
PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 RAW data and image processing software
*
and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3 image browser software included on the accompanying CD-ROM
*
Compatibility with PictBridge, DPOF, Exif Print and PRINT Image Matching â…¢ formats

SDHC Logo is a trademark

PENTAX and SDM 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

PENTAX AF200FG Auto Flash FACT SHEET

Main Specifications

*
Guide Number: 20 max. (at ISO100/m). 28 max. (at ISO200/m). Manual Setting: Full
*
Discharge angles: 70 horizontally (78 with wide-angle panel), 53 vertically (60 with wide-angle panel)
*
Focal-length coverage: covering angles of view for 28mm lenses (in 35mm format). 24mm angle view covered with wide-angle panel
*
Flash interval and battery life: Approx. 4-second interval, approx. 300 full-level discharges (with alkaline batteries)
*
Flash modes: (1) P-TTL modes (TTL corrective auto flash, contrast-control auto flash); (2) TTL modes (TTL auto flash); (3) Full (Manual mode)
*
Flash range (in P-TTL, TTL modes): (1) film speed coupling range: ISO100-ISO1600; (2) Illumination range: 0.7m-3.6m (at G.N.20, ISO100, F5.6); (3) Illumination range: 0.7m-5.0m (at G.N.28, ISO200, F5.6)
*
Flash exposure compensation: -0.5Ev, -1Ev
*
Power source: (1) 4 AA-size alkaline batteries; (2) 4 AA-size lithium batteries; (3) 4 AA-size Ni-MH batteries
*
Dimensions (H x W x D): 68mm x 83.5mm x 93mm (2.7” x 3.3” x 3.7”)
*
Weight: 190g (6.8 oz) without batteries

PENTAX is trademark of PENTAX Corporation

Design and specifications is subject to change without notice