Pentax K30: New Mid-Range DSLR

Photo and specifications leaked by member

By PF Staff in Pentax Rumors on May 16, 2012

One of our forum members recently posted a leak from a French Pentax forum about the Pentax K30, which is rumored to be the new intro-level DSLR replacement for the Pentax K-r, or a mid-range camera succeeding the K200D.  This would seem to be the first rumor which is more than just plain speculation, as a credible photo of the camera has appeared in a French catalogue that has not yet been published.  Our sources indicate that the K30 will be officially announced early next week.

Update: the official announcement has now been posted.

The camera's name change may suggest a departure from convention, as this new Pentax is weather sealed, has additional external buttons, and has two e-dials: a first in an intro-level Pentax DSLR.  On top of that, it seems to have been redesigned quite significantly, meaning that this camera will be much less of a derivative than its two predecessors. Like the K-m/K-x/K-r, however, the Pentax K30 will not have a top LCD.

The launch price is rumored to be higher than that of the K-r: 799 euros for the kit, or some $900 in the US ($700-800 body-only).

The preliminary Pentax K30 specifications are as follows:

• 16.28 Megapixel sensor (likely inherited from the K-5)
• Full HD video recording (framerate unknown, likely same as the K-01)
• Weather sealed body
• 3-inch LCD
• Uses AA or rechargeable batteries
• 6FPS shutter
• Prime M processor
• ISO range: 100-25,600
• 11-point autofocus
• 100% viewfinder coverage
• 3 available colors

The introduction of weather sealing in a budget DSLR body may make this camera a success.  We remain hopeful that it will launch sooner rather than later!

Discuss the Pentax K30 on our forum

Pentax K-S1 Rumor

A redesigned entry-level DSLR

By PF Rumors in Pentax Rumors on Aug 19, 2014

Rumors of an entry-level DSLR named the "Pentax K-S1" have recently surfaced on the Japanese news site Digicame-Info.

Based on the leaked photos, the K-S1 resembles a Sony NEX fused with a Pentax K-r mirror box and viewfinder.  Decorative lights and accents have been added in numerous places.

The K-S1 sports a new simplified button layout which no longer features the mode dial in its traditional location.  While further specifications are currently unknown, the camera's design implies a focus on light weight and small size.  Perhaps this camera will reclaim the title of the world's smallest DSLR!

We would expect the K-S1 to be priced similarly to the Pentax K-500, which may or may not see a successor itself in the coming months.

Pentax Full-Frame DSLR to be Named K-1

Prototype on display at Salon de la Photo in Paris

By PF Rumors in Pentax Rumors on Nov 5, 2015

After its unofficial debut at PhotoPlus just weeks ago, a prototype of the upcoming Pentax full frame DSLR has once again made an appearance at Salon de la Photo, the annual camera expo that takes place in Paris.  Rumors of a tentative name for the camera surfaced at the show; the first Pentax full-frame DSLR may be named the Pentax K-1.

Among others, forum member Zygonyx attended the show and captured a clear view of the camera from the top:

Pentax full frame top view - Zygonyx (Click to enlarge)

Ricoh GR: Upcoming APS-C Compact

16.2 Megapixels, 18.3mm F2.8 lens

By PF Staff in Pentax Rumors on Apr 15, 2013

Pentax Ricoh have just posted a teaser video about the a new compact fixed-lens APS-C camera called the Ricoh GR.  Based on the video, it seems that this camera incorporates many design elements found on previous Ricoh GR cameras, even though in terms of specifications, it closely mimics the recently-launched Nikon Coolpix A.

Here are the key specifications of the Ricoh GR:

• 16.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• No optical low-pass filter
• 4FPS continuous shooting
• 3-inch LCD with 1.23 million dots
• Fast AF response time (0.2s during normal shooting)
• High-performance GR Engine V image processor
• 18.3mm F2.8 GR lens
• 9 aperture blades
• Small body: 117 x 61 x 34.7mm (WxHxD)

Ricoh claims that the GR is going to be the world's smallest APS-C digital camera; specifications confirm that it is smaller than the Coolpix A (by a hair).  Its body design resembles that of the earlier Ricoh GRD IV.

Pentax Confirms Full-Frame Plans at CP+

during exclusive interview with PentaxForums.com

By PF Staff in Pentax Rumors on Feb 3, 2013

PentaxForums.com had the chance to interview Hiraku Kawauchi and Shigeru Wakashiro of Pentax Ricoh Japan at the 2013 CP+ show yesterday.  We started off by asking about the status of the Pentax full-frame, and to our surprise, we got a much more definitive answer than we did at Photokina.

Pentax essentially states that they think full-frame is the way to go, and that development of a full-frame camera has been advancing.  Wakashiro added that even during Photokina he had mixed feelings about the prospect of making such a camera, but now both he and the company are open to it.  The way he phrased this implies that full-frame is about to be a permanent Pentax product line.  Although what he said is still subject to interpretation, there is much less uncertainty now than there's ever been before.

Wakashiro also said that while small size is important, the full-frame will also be unique in other ways compared to what's already out there. 

Here are the two questions that we asked:

1. We're sorry to say that we've lost many enthusiasts over the course of the past few months due to compelling full-frame deals from competitors. Do you have any updates about the Pentax full-frame (for the enthusiast community) since Photokina? Are you able to officially confirm that such a product will be released in the future?
   
   

2. You once mentioned that a full-frame Pentax would need to have a unique selling point in order to be marketed. Would you consider in-camera stabilization or a small form factor to be a unique feature in a full-frame DSLR?

Of course we can only speculate about what features the Pentax full-frame will have, but at least now it's practically no longer a question of if, but rather a question of when we will be seeing the full-frame camera. Based on what we know, our best guess would be that the camera will be announced in early 2014 and made available in mid-2014.