We're very happy to announce that we've now posted our in-depth comparative review of the Ricoh GR and the Nikon Coolpix A, its closest rival.  We also compare the new GR to its predecessor, the Ricoh GRD IV.

Continue to the Ricoh GR Comparative Review

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Today, we're happy to be bringing you another hands-on look at the Pentax 560mm, this time in video format and from the perspective of a photojournalist.  For more information on the 560mm, check out our in-depth review.

In short, Albert found the lens's reach to come in very handy in practice.  The lens was easy to handle thanks to its rotating tripod collar, locking hood, and built-in polarizer filter.  The autofocus proved to be very accurate, though the speed was not something to boast about. Cons of the lens included poor bokeh and some purple fringing.  Overall, he highly recommends the 560mm for photojournalists that need reach above all else.

Below are 24 more sample photos from his shoot:

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In March, Nikon entered the world of premium compact digital cameras by announcing the Coolpix A, the smallest digital camera to feature an APS-C sensor.  Just a month later, Pentax Ricoh announced the new Ricoh GR, an evolution of the Ricoh GR Digital IV (GRD IV) that was fitted with an APS-C sensor similar to the one in the Coolpix A.  These two cameras are built for professionals who cannot always justify carrying around a bulky DSLR, and they promise to deliver DSLR-grade image quality in a much smaller package (as long as you can live with the fixed 18mm focal length).

It seems that Pentax Ricoh did their homework when developing the new GR, for in almost every area, the GR's specifications are either better than or the same as those of the Coolpix A.  On top of this, at a MSRP of $799, the GR is $300 cheaper than the Coolpix A, which retails for $1099.  This makes the GR one of the most affordable cameras in its class.

However, we all know that numbers alone do not reveal the true nature of a camera from a photographer's point of view.  Therefore, we feel obliged to compare the Ricoh GR to the Coolpix A in a head-to-head in-depth review to see which one performs best overall.  We will also be comparing the Ricoh GR to its predecessor and reviewing it separately, as the older GRD IV- which is still being sold- will appeal to a much different audience with its lower price tag of $399.

We have been in possession of the GR and GRD IV for over two weeks and the Coolpix A for about one week.  The Ricoh GR has (strangely) not yet arrived at retailers in the US, though we expect this to happen very shortly.  Read on for our first impressions of the three cameras.

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In our first full-length review of a Pentax point-and-shoot, we take a look at the new Pentax WG-3 and WG-3 GPS, the latest members of Pentax's waterproof camera lineup.  These new cameras are built to be "adventureproof", and for that reason, they have received improved waterproofing and better shock resistance on top of their rugged designs.  To be the outdoor photographer's perfect companion, the WG-3 GPS has even received handy features such as an electronic compass and pressure sensor.

If you're looking for an underwater camera or a camera that can be taken just about anywhere, then the WG-3/WG-3 GPS may be right for you!  Pentax is currently offering a $50 instant rebate on both cameras, meaning that you can buy the WG-3 for just $249, or the WG-3 GPS for $299.

Click here to continue reading our Pentax WG-3 GPS review!

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Today we're happy to be bringing you our in-depth review of the Pentax 10-17mm fisheye zoom, which is the widest lens in the current Pentax lineup.  At the wide end, it offers a diagonal field of view of 180 degrees, which makes it an excellent choice for photographing interiors (i.e. houses, cars, or boats) as well as landscapes.  As it is a fisheye lens, it produces pronounced geometric distortion in the corners, which leads to a interesting artistics.

Click here to continue to the 10-17mm review

In the US, the 10-17mm fisheye is currently available for $529, and unlike many other lenses, its price does not seem to fluctuate much.

We are now only two lenses short (DA* 200mm and DA* 60-250mm) of having in-depth reviews of the entire (current) Pentax lens lineup!  To read our other reviews, please visit the in-depth lens review index. 

We expect to publish our review of the DA* 60-250mm later this month, and the DA* 200mm review shortly afterward.  After these are posted, we will focus on improving reviews that were posted in 2010 and 2011, reviewing Sigma lenses, and reviewing various interesting cameras by other manufacturers.

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Today we're happy to present our in-depth review of Pentax's longest, most expensive, and most recent lens: the HD Pentax 560mm ED AW.  Even though this lens currently retails for just under $7000, we find it to deliver excellent image quality and a host of great features, and thus it would be a great choice for wildlife or bird photographers. 

Click here to continue to the Pentax 560mm review to learn more!

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Today we're happy to present our review of the "Pentax Adapter Q for K-mount Lenses", which is in our opinion an essential accessory for all Pentax Q owners, and also the best thing to happen to the Q system since its launched.

This handy adapter allows the use of Pentax K-mount (D)SLR lenses on the Q.  Read the review here!

To learn more about the Pentax Q, visit the Pentax Q forum.

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Just a few weeks ago, the Pentax MX-1 hit the shelves in the US.  This enthusiast compact camera is currently available for $499.

Today we're happy to be bringing you our in-depth review of this camera, which is our most thorough evaluation of a compact camera to date.  How does the MX-1 hold up against the competition?  Read the review to find out!

Continue to the Pentax MX-1 Review

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