The announcement of this new Pentax dSLR is all over the web, but here is one link:
The 10 megapixel Pentax K10D digital SLR camera. Pentax invites you for test drive with their latest digital SLR camera, the K10D. The new SLR features 10.2 megapixels and a host of advanced technologies including Shake Reduction and a weather-resistant body. The K10D body will ship by November 2006 for $899, and as a kit with the DA 18-55mm lens for $999. A new smc Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited lens, designed for exclusive use with Pentax digital SLR cameras will ship in October 2006 for less than $600… [DCVIEWS Digital camera and photography news]
George Barr has also posted a brief but dead-on note (Pentax K10D – Awesome Specs) about the camera at Behind the Lens:
These are really practical features to add – not frills like you see on some cameras – impressive looking but not really useful – who wouldn’t love a sensor that was easy to clean, image stabilization without buying it in every single lens, or forking out big bucks for a robust camera that can take the beach, stream, snow storm or rain.
The Online Photographer also offers a summary: Little Giant-Killer.
Judging from the specifications and features, this camera could well be a credible competitor to offerings from Canon, Nikon and, more recently, Sony. With a price in the same range as the excellent Canon 400D, this Pentax camera offers a number of appealing and useful features, notably including weather sealing – a feature not available from Canon except on their extremely expensive 1-Series cameras.
Although few lenses have been announced, the body apparently is backwards compatible with the large base of existing Pentax lenses, many of which are notable for high quality and excellent design. (By the way, the new Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited lens announced along with the camera looks like an example of Pentax’ innovative thinking about camera optics.) Many years ago my two favorite backpacking cameras were a Pentax ME and a Pentax MX, used with excellent 100mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4, and 45mm (?) f/2.8 lenses. I’d love to see that glass put to use on a quality digital body.
In any case, it is great to see more viable competition emerging in the digital SLR marketplace, where Canon has reigned supreme recently. I have nothing at all against Canon – I use Canon gear exclusively and like it a lot – but additional competition can only be good for photographers.
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