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!
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:
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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?
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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.
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)
Wi-Fi Enabled Pentax DSLR, Silent Focusing Kit Lens
On display at CES 2015
By PF Staff in Pentax Rumors on Jan 7, 2015
We have learned more about the unnamed Pentax DSLR currently on display at CES 2015 through attendee reports and photos, and so far, it's all good news!
The new DSLR has the following features:
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Dual control wheels
- Fully articulating LCD
- Weather sealing
- Video mode on the on/off switch
- Decorative LED rings (toned down compared to the K-S1)
- Multiple color options
- NFC support
- UHS-I memory card support
And we also have more preliminary information on the new collapsible kit lens:
- SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE
- Weather sealed
- Silent DC autofocus
- Extends by roughly 2cm
- Can be paired with a compact hood (square opening)
Click here for photo of the camera and lens on display.
For the latest information, see also the CES 2015 discussion on the forum. Our commentary follows.
Pentax K-3 II Coming In Late April
New APS-C flagship DSLR
By PF Rumors in Pentax Rumors on Apr 16, 2015
It looks like Pentax users will see one more APS-C DSLR body before the debut of the Pentax full frame later this year. According to digicame-info and other sources, the Pentax K-3 II will soon be announced as the successor to the flagship K-3.
Little is currently known about the K-3 II, though we expect improvements in it to focus primarily on delivering image quality enhancements similar to what was offered in the upgrade from the K-5 to the K-5 IIs. It is possible that the camera will incorporate some of the new Pentax technologies that we saw at CP+ 2015, such as the pixel-shifting method of attaining a higher resolution.
Expect to see all the details about the Pentax K-3 II right here on our homepage once it is officially announced. Stay tuned!
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