Pre-Photokina 2008 Pentax Leaks: New body (K-m), Ring flash, Lenses
The new Pentax K-m body
Summary of Pentax Photokina 2008 releases:
- Pentax Km (499€ with 18-55, 599€ with 18-55 and 50-200)
- DA* 60-250/4 (1,299€)
- DA* 55mm/1.4 (549€)
- DA 15mm/4 Limited
- SDM 1,4x tele-converter
- AF160FC Macro Ring Flash (499€)
The Pentax Germany web page leaked the details of upcoming of the new products Pentax is going to announce at the Photokina 2008 in Cologne. The releases followed very closely the rumours that have been circling in the various Pentax online forums.
The major announcement and also the largest surprise was the new entry level Pentax K-m body, which should be in stores in October. The small and stylish body has silver line finish and is marketed as the smallest DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) Camera in the world with built-in SR (Shake Reduction). It is also said to be easier to use than a point-and-shoot camera, said to contain an online help button. Other leaked specifications state a 3.5 fps shooting speed, ironically making the entry level body the fastest (measured in frames per second) camera Pentax has in their lineup.
The small and lightweight
smc DA L 1:3.5-5.6 18-55mm
The SDM-capable
1.4x tele converter
The new DA* 60-250/f4
telezoom
The smc DA* 1:1.4 55mm
The smc DA 1:4 15mm Limited
The AF160FC macro ring flash
The measurements of the Pentax K-m against previous small Pentax bodies and the smaller competitive cameras (the Olympus E-410 and the upcoming G1, an Electronic Viewfinder – Interchangeable Lens or EVIL camera from Panasonic) are as follows:
- Pentax K-m: 122.5 mm x 91.5 mm x 67.5 mm
- K200D: 133.5mm x 95mm x 74mm
- *ist D: 129mm × 94.5mm × 60mm
- Olympus-420: 129.5 x 91 x 53 mm
- Panasonic G1: 124 mm x 84 mm x 45 mm
New users will appreciate the affordable entry into the Pentax system with built-in Shake Reduction, and long time Pentax aficionados will rejoice after once again having a small and sleek body to put the classy Pentax pancakes Limiteds on.
Alongside the new, small entry-class body were announced the smc DA L 1:3.5-5.6 18-55mm and smc DA L 1:4-5.6 50-200mm lenses that are modifications of the earlier Pentax lenses with the DA instead of the DA L nomination. To go with the smaller body, the lenses are smaller and have a plastic bayonet instead of the metal construction of the normal Pentax twin-kit lenses. The lenses also sport a cool silver finish to complement the silver stripe of the K-m. The tentative price for the Pentax K-m with the 18-55 DA L kit lens is 499€ and 599€ for the twin-kit.
An announcement everyone knew to expect was the the SDM- (Silent Drive Motor) capable 1.4x tele converter (or rear converter as Pentax likes to call it). No release date or price for the converter has been released.
The new converter will nicely complement the announced DA* 60-250/f4 tele-zoom, tentatively priced at 1,299€. The new tele-zoom has a built-in tripod adapter and the SDM auto-focus is both fast and silent. Leaked images also show the lens to be a stellar performer in optical quality. The lens should be available before christmas.
Another SDM lens release is the DA* 55mm/1.4. With a price recommendation of 549€, the lens is a replacement for the classic portrait lens, FA* 85mm/1.4.
Finishing the set of new lens announcements is the smc DA 1:4 15mm Limited wide angle prime. No price or release date has been given for the Limited.
Among all the releases, one of the most anticipated is the new AF160FC macro ring flash featuring four flash tubes that can be switched in pairs. The flash, priced at 499€, will be in stores before christmas.
There has also been an update for the Pentax Lens Roadmap, showing a mysterious entry in the future lenses section that simply says Super Telephoto. The objective is marked with the DA- nomination, which hopefully means it will be more affordable than the new DA*- releases. The announcement will no doubt make many users of the Pentax system happy, as lack of long telephoto lenses has for a long time been one of the main complaints.
