[Adam]

Pentax has just officially announced three new cameras: the intro-level K-500 DSLR, the weather-sealed K-50 DSLR, and the ultra-compact Q7 mirrorless.

Added 6/24: Hands-on first impressions!

• Pentax Q7: Hands-On First Impressions - Photographic Articles - PentaxForums.com
• Pentax K-50 First Impressions - Photographic Articles - PentaxForums.com

Specifications and previews:

• Pentax K-500 Preview & Specs ($599)
• Pentax K-50 Preview & Specs ($699)
• Pentax Q7 Preview & Specs ($479)

The Pentax K-50 will be replacing the K-30 as Pentax's weather-sealed upper entry-level offering. The K-50 features a new body design but the specifications are otherwise unchanged, except for the fact that the K-50 supports a maximum ISO of 51,200 (up from 25,600 on the K-30). The K-50's launch price is $100 below that of the K-30, and it will be available in 120 different colors.

The K-500 is identical to the Pentax K-50 except that it is not weather sealed, and it does not have an electronic level. It will not be available as a body-only.

The Pentax Q7 is the same as the Pentax Q10, except that it features a new 1/1.7" sensor, which is almost twice as large as that of its predecessor. The Pentax Q7 will be available in a body-only kit, at at a launch price of just $479, it is $120 cheaper than its predecessor. The Q7's crop factor is approximately 4.5x.

Pentax has also launched new new weather-sealed kit lenses: the DA L 18-55mm and 50-200mm WR. The K-50 will be bundled with these lenses rather than old DA L lenses without weather sealing. The K-500 will be bundled with the old non-sealed lenses.


We have added dedicated forums for the two new dslrs:

• Pentax K-50 - PentaxForums.com
• Pentax K-500 - PentaxForums.com

The Q7 may be discussed in our Pentax Q forum.


Purchase/pre-order links are found below.

K-500:

Pentax K-500 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens
Pentax K-500 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

Pentax K-500 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 Lenses
Pentax K-500 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and 15517


K-50:

Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)
Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)
Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens 10894

Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black/Aqua)
Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens 09826

Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Blue/Brown)
Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens 09886

Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera Body Only, Black
Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera Body Black - B&H Photo Video


Q7:

Pentax Q7 Compact Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera Body (Black)
Pentax Q7 Compact Mirrorless Camera Body (Black) 10405 B&H Photo

Pentax Q7 Compact Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera with 5-15mm and 15-45mm Lenses (Black)
Pentax Q7 Compact Mirrorless Camera with 5-15mm and 15-45mm

Attached Images

     

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



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Last edited by Tom S.; 06-13-2013 at 01:52 PM.

[jatrax]

Thank you Adam. And I hope you did not hurt yourself keeping this under wraps

[Docrwm]

Wow! PF with the facts first!

[ikershaw]

Permission to be underwhelmed? I was hoping for unicorns.

[RonHendriks1966]

That sounds very good, K-50 (sealed) and identical K-500 without sealing.

[photoshoper]

Real world samples from DR

First impressions and real-world samples from the Pentax K-50: Digital Photography Review

Very wise move by Pentax if you ask me. An entry level camera that can take on Canon 1100 and Nikon 3200 pricewise, but which will outperform them both. I was not happy with the design of the K30; this has been "fixed" in regard to the K50 (this is purely subjective, of course). No innovations: what you get instead is time-tested and foolproof technology - a bit like the AK-47. Typical Pentax. Gotta love their conservatism.

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Last edited by Unregistered User; 06-12-2013 at 03:27 PM.

[Apapukas]

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but all this announcement looks like a complete joke.. Bad joke.

Who on earth would pay 600$ for K-500 when you can have K-30 (a better camera) for 500$? Absurd!

Maybe I don't understand something.

[Docrwm]

Real world samples from DR

First impressions and real-world samples from the Pentax K-50: Digital Photography Review

Nice find. They claim promises of improved image processing but the only difference seems to be that the ISO range is no longer artifically crippled on the 50 like it was on the 30. How else is imaging processing going to be improved?

[Biro]

As I said in the blog section, this makes for a very sensible camera lineup. The K500 (a K50 without WR) is a fine, competitive entry-level DSLR. The K50 is also fine for its intended market slot, even if we might have preferred an extra enhancement or two. I don't need one, since I just picked up a K30 body for $499 to go with my K5 and K-01. I even like the Q7 and will probably pick up a body since I have a number of Q-mount lenses. I like the idea of the larger sensor and even the slightly wider field of view I'll get with the same glass. These cameras and the MX-1 are a nice line of products. The only question now is whether the K5II/IIs will continue its run in the Pentax lineup or be replaced shortly. Or if there'll be yet another camera above the K5 variants. Whatever the answer, I say bring it on!

[Docrwm]

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but all this announcement looks like a complete joke.. Bad joke.

Who on earth would pay 600$ for K-500 when you can have K-30 (a better camera) for 500$? Absurd!

Maybe I don't understand something.

The K-30 is on fire sale staus and its price reflects that. Once it is gone the 50 & 500 prices make perfect sense in competition with Canikon products.

[Adam]

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but all this announcement looks like a complete joke.. Bad joke.

Who on earth would pay 600$ for K-500 when you can have K-30 (a better camera) for 500$? Absurd!

Maybe I don't understand something.

The K-500 is $180 cheaper than the K-30 was at launch, so it will become a more affordable alternative as prices fall.

[Wired]

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but all this announcement looks like a complete joke.. Bad joke.

Who on earth would pay 600$ for K-500 when you can have K-30 (a better camera) for 500$? Absurd!

Maybe I don't understand something.

And a better looking camera in the k30 too!!!

[Alizarine]

Thanks for the announcement here Adam.

So indeed, it's a three-DSLR lineup now for Pentax. All 5's - K-500, K-50, K-5 II/IIs. I guess that might mean no flagship replacement this year, unless they name it K-5 III.

That Q7 got me really really interested. Question though, does it sport a mag-alloy body again like the OQ?

[Kryscendo]

I think everyone is forgetting that for $500 you can get a 100% FoV optical viewfinder. That's a pretty big fricken deal actually.