Looking back on Pentax events in 2011

The year in review

By PF Staff in Site News on Dec 29, 2011

As we move on to a fresh new year, let's take a look back at the highlights of 2011 both on PentaxForums.com and from Pentax itself!

January

• Pentax added SDXC support to the K-x, K-r, K-7, K-5, and 645D DSLRs
• Pentax formally acknowledged the K-5 sensor stain issue and resolved it in future bodies

February

• Pentax announced the 25mm F4 ultra-wide lens for the 645D (which interestingly still isn't available in the US)
• Pentax announced the Optio WG-1 point-and-shoot camera 
• Pentax announced a limited edition Silver K-5

March

• Pentax announced the Optio RS1500 and Optio S1 point-and-shoot cameras
• A destructive earthquake strikes Japan, greatly slowing the photo industry
• PentaxForums.com gave away a Pentax 18-135mm lens and 5 Eye-Fi SD cards
• PentaxForums.com added a sidebar containing the latest reviews to the lens and equipment databases
• The K-x was officially discontinued
• PentaxForums.com added a search system to the homepage

April

• PentaxForums.com added thread thumbnails to the Post Your Photos section
• Pentax announces new colors for the K-r

May

• The PentaxForums.com camera database and user reviews receive an overhaul
• The PentaxForums.com Facebook page starts receiving regular updates
• Silver versions of the DA 21mm, 40mm, and 70mm limited lenses hit the shelves at retailers
• PentaxForums.com compares the Canon 7D to the Pentax K-5

June

• Pentax adds GPS support to the K-5, K-r, and 645D via the O-GPS1 accessory
• Pentax announces the Pentax Q, the smallest interchangeable-lens digital camera in the world
• PentaxForums.com hosts the largest World Pentax Day event to date
• PentaxForums.com gives away a 40mm limited lens
• PentaxForums.com adds EXIF information for all attached photos

July

• Pentax announces its acquisition by Ricoh
• PentaxForums.com reviews the 645D and compares it to the Nikon D3x
• PentaxForums.com launches a fresh forum design with many new features

August

• PentaxForums.com overhauls the in-depth review section and announces several new reviews
• The PentaxForums.com equipment databases were upgraded with a "Likes" system and a better rating system

September

• Pentax announces the Optio RZ-18 point-and-shoot camera
• PentaxForums.com gives away 50 remote control F's to celebrate the 5th year of the site
• The PentaxForums.com equipment databases were upgraded with average price charts

October

• PentaxForums.com compares the DA* 16-50mm, Sigma 17-50mm, and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 lenses.
• PentaxForums.com launches a mobile version of the mainsite and reviews
• PentaxForums.com launches a new homepage design
• Orders for the limited edition Pentax 645D start being accepted

November

• PentaxForums.com wins the "Board of the Month" title at vBulletin.org
• PentaxForums.com adds a commenting system to its homepage
• PentaxForums.com launches its largest giveaway to date, featuring over $1000 in prizes
• PentaxForums.com launches a Google Plus page
• PentaxForums.com gets a new logo
• The K-5 sells for $999 in a special Cyber Monday deal

December

• PentaxForums.com launches its first software and photographic technique in-depth reviews
• The Pentax K-r gets discontinued
• The head of Pentax's R&D department comments on future ideas for Pentax

We'd like to wish all our members a Happy New Year!  Having not heard anything about new K-mount DSLRs in 2011, we expect Pentax start of 2012 with a series of new camera and lens announcements - we'll post the news on our homepage once it comes out, so we hope you'll stay tuned!