Pentax X70 bridge camera is here!

**rparmar** · 03-02-2009, 05:24 AM

Here is the new Pentax X70 bridge camera official release in English.

The rumours are over! Here are all the details:

12 megapixel (4000x3000) on 1/2.33" sensor
24x zoom lens 26/2.8 -624/5.0 in 35mm equivalent (!)
shake reduction
11 fps continuous shooting at 2592 x 1944 pixels
AF is 9-point AF with switchable points, spot, auto, manual or "infinity-landscape"
metering is multi-segment, center-weighted or spot
±2EV (1/3EV steps) exposure compensation
shutter range: 1/4000 - 1/4s with 4s long exposure
self-timer, 2s delay timer, interval shooting and auto bracket
33.6MB built-in memory and SD card storage
HD movies with SR (1280 x 720 pixels)
programme, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual modes plus auto
face recognition for up to 32 faces (big party, what?)
auto sensitivity control, up to ISO 6400
2.7" LCD (230,000 dots)
electronic viewfinder
image ratio selectable from 4:3 (native), 3:2, 16:9 or 1:1
auto plus custom white balance
overexposure compensation
macro mode down to 1cm
"Digital Wide" function to composite a 20mm (35mm equivalent) image from two images
world-time clock
decorative photo frames
red-eye reduction
lithium-ion battery with 170 shot life
110.5 x 82.5 x 89.5 mm and 410g (loaded and ready)

The lens is composed of 14 elements in 11 groups with 4 aspherical elements and 3 ED elements

Last edited by rparmar; 03-02-2009 at 05:59 AM.

losecontrol · 03-02-2009, 05:49 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

Here is the new Pentax X70 bridge camera official release in English.

The rumours are over! Here are all the details:

12 megapixel (4000x3000) on 1/2.33" sensor
24x zoom lens 26/2.8 -624/5.0 in 35mm equivalent (!)
shake reduction
11 fps continuous shooting at 2592 x 1944 pixels
AF is 9-point AF with switchable points, spot, auto, manual or "infinity-landscape"
metering is multi-segment, center-weighted or spot
±2EV (1/3EV steps) exposure compensation
shutter range: 1/4000 - 1/4s with 4s long exposure
self-timer, 2s delay timer, interval shooting and auto bracket
33.6MB built-in memory and SD card storage
HD movies with SR (1280 x 720 pixels)
programme, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual modes plus auto
Face Recognition
auto sensitivity control, up to ISO 6400
2.7" LCD (230,000 dots)
electronic viewfinder
image ratio selectable from 4:3 (native), 3:2, 16:9 or 1:1
auto plus custom white balance
overexposure compensation
macro mode down to 1cm
"Digital Wide" function to composite a 20mm (35mm equivalent) image from two images
world-time clock
decorative photo frames
red-eye reduction
lithium-ion battery with 170 shot life
110.5 x 82.5 x 89.5 mm and 410g (loaded and ready)

The lens is composed of 14 elements in 11 groups with 4 aspherical elements and 3 ED elements

This seams like an fantastic good allround camera.

Nothing to be shamed of!

Good Work pentax!

**rparmar** · 03-02-2009, 05:49 AM

It is true that the feature list is rather impressive!

However, according to my calculations this sensor works out to only 1/12 the size of what we have in the DSLR cameras. For example even the sensor on the Panasonic LX3 / Leica D-Lux 4 or Fuji Finepix F10/F11/F30 families is 50% bigger.

This may not effect sales in the market this is aimed towards, but it is a shame (and rather a lost opportunity) that Pentax couldn't have managed something larger.

RBellavance · 03-02-2009, 05:54 AM

From those specs and picture, it looks like it uses the same sensor, lens as the Nikon P90, and the body is very similar as well. The LCD screen is different, though, and I can't find details on the Nikon's AF system.

Hopefully the X70 has some goodies to differentiate itself from the other bridges in that price bracket.

**rparmar** · 03-02-2009, 05:58 AM

Selling for $400 at B&H.

RBellavance · 03-02-2009, 06:05 AM

The Kodak Z980 also seems to use the same sensor & lens: KODAK EASYSHARE Z980 Digital Camera Specifications

MSRP is 399 US$ as well...

Miserere · 03-02-2009, 06:22 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

However, according to my calculations this sensor works out to only 1/12 the size of what we have in the DSLR cameras.

Robin, this is unavoidable in order to a) keep prices down, and most of all b) manage that huge zoom range.

gazonk · 03-02-2009, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by Miserere

Robin, this is unavoidable in order to a) keep prices down, and most of all b) manage that huge zoom range.

indeed. The LX3 is a completely different beast, with a very short zoom range.

Miserere · 03-02-2009, 06:51 AM

No word on whether it has an articulated screen or not. Not having it would be a big blunder IMO.

RBellavance · 03-02-2009, 07:06 AM

Originally posted by Miserere

No word on whether it has an articulated screen or not. Not having it would be a big blunder IMO.

I agree, unless it is to make the body weather-sealed. Unfortunately, there is no mention of this anywhere in the leaked litterature so far.

**Lowell Goudge** · 03-02-2009, 07:49 AM

It is really too bad it does not meet the real needs of a travel camera, to go ultra wide, and moderately long, as opposed to moderately wide and extremely long.

Although the 24 X zoom is bigger than most others, who is really going to use this at 624mm?

I admit 600MM F5 sounds interesting, but for a travel camera wider would be much better. 26mm is not wide enough,

gazonk · 03-02-2009, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

Although the 24 X zoom is bigger than most others, who is really going to use this at 624mm?

That's what I don't get with these "super zooms" in general. The long end of their range might be fun for e.g. birding, but you need extremely good light conditions in order to freeze the motions of birds at an ISO which still gives good results with this camera (which I assume is ISO 200 - maybe ISO 400 if you're aiming for small prints or the web).

**Lowell Goudge** · 03-02-2009, 08:38 AM

Originally posted by gazonk

That's what I don't get with these "super zooms" in general. The long end of their range might be fun for e.g. birding, but you need extremely good light conditions in order to freeze the motions of birds at an ISO which still gives good results with this camera (which I assume is ISO 200 - maybe ISO 400 if you're aiming for small prints or the web).

the reason is that it is easy to do.

I presently have a Kodak DX7590 which is a 5MP camera and a 10:1 zoom 36mm to 360mm

400 ISO on that camera is about equal to an *istD at between 1600 ands 3200

gazonk · 03-02-2009, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

the reason is that it is easy to do

Easy to make, you mean? Yes, I guess so. And looks impressive in the specs, of course...

Also, I guess it might be quite usable in the movie mode for zooming in on very distant objects.

**skid2964** · 03-02-2009, 09:56 AM

Pentax’s PMA announcement leaked

03-02-2009, 05:24 AM	#1
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	Pentax X70 bridge camera is here! Here is the new Pentax X70 bridge camera official release in English. The rumours are over! Here are all the details: 12 megapixel (4000x3000) on 1/2.33" sensor 24x zoom lens 26/2.8 -624/5.0 in 35mm equivalent (!) shake reduction 11 fps continuous shooting at 2592 x 1944 pixels AF is 9-point AF with switchable points, spot, auto, manual or "infinity-landscape" metering is multi-segment, center-weighted or spot ±2EV (1/3EV steps) exposure compensation shutter range: 1/4000 - 1/4s with 4s long exposure self-timer, 2s delay timer, interval shooting and auto bracket 33.6MB built-in memory and SD card storage HD movies with SR (1280 x 720 pixels) programme, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual modes plus auto face recognition for up to 32 faces (big party, what?) auto sensitivity control, up to ISO 6400 2.7" LCD (230,000 dots) electronic viewfinder image ratio selectable from 4:3 (native), 3:2, 16:9 or 1:1 auto plus custom white balance overexposure compensation macro mode down to 1cm "Digital Wide" function to composite a 20mm (35mm equivalent) image from two images world-time clock decorative photo frames red-eye reduction lithium-ion battery with 170 shot life 110.5 x 82.5 x 89.5 mm and 410g (loaded and ready) The lens is composed of 14 elements in 11 groups with 4 aspherical elements and 3 ED elements Last edited by rparmar; 03-02-2009 at 05:59 AM.

03-02-2009, 05:49 AM	#2
losecontrol Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gnesta, Sweden Posts: 373	Originally posted by rparmar Here is the new Pentax X70 bridge camera official release in English. The rumours are over! Here are all the details: 12 megapixel (4000x3000) on 1/2.33" sensor 24x zoom lens 26/2.8 -624/5.0 in 35mm equivalent (!) shake reduction 11 fps continuous shooting at 2592 x 1944 pixels AF is 9-point AF with switchable points, spot, auto, manual or "infinity-landscape" metering is multi-segment, center-weighted or spot ±2EV (1/3EV steps) exposure compensation shutter range: 1/4000 - 1/4s with 4s long exposure self-timer, 2s delay timer, interval shooting and auto bracket 33.6MB built-in memory and SD card storage HD movies with SR (1280 x 720 pixels) programme, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual modes plus auto Face Recognition auto sensitivity control, up to ISO 6400 2.7" LCD (230,000 dots) electronic viewfinder image ratio selectable from 4:3 (native), 3:2, 16:9 or 1:1 auto plus custom white balance overexposure compensation macro mode down to 1cm "Digital Wide" function to composite a 20mm (35mm equivalent) image from two images world-time clock decorative photo frames red-eye reduction lithium-ion battery with 170 shot life 110.5 x 82.5 x 89.5 mm and 410g (loaded and ready) The lens is composed of 14 elements in 11 groups with 4 aspherical elements and 3 ED elements This seams like an fantastic good allround camera. Nothing to be shamed of! Good Work pentax!

03-02-2009, 07:49 AM	#11
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	if only it went from 16-160mm It is really too bad it does not meet the real needs of a travel camera, to go ultra wide, and moderately long, as opposed to moderately wide and extremely long. Although the 24 X zoom is bigger than most others, who is really going to use this at 624mm? I admit 600MM F5 sounds interesting, but for a travel camera wider would be much better. 26mm is not wide enough,

03-02-2009, 08:38 AM	#13
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by gazonk That's what I don't get with these "super zooms" in general. The long end of their range might be fun for e.g. birding, but you need extremely good light conditions in order to freeze the motions of birds at an ISO which still gives good results with this camera (which I assume is ISO 200 - maybe ISO 400 if you're aiming for small prints or the web). the reason is that it is easy to do. I presently have a Kodak DX7590 which is a 5MP camera and a 10:1 zoom 36mm to 360mm 400 ISO on that camera is about equal to an istD at between 1600 ands 3200 Last edited by Lowell Goudge; 03-02-2009 at 08:57 AM.*

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax X70	AlexM	Pentax Compact Cameras	64	04-19-2011 12:35 PM
Pentax introduces the Pentax x70 megazoom digital camera	Adam	Homepage & Official Pentax News	0	07-28-2009 07:22 AM
Pentax X70 - Trumped already....	Buddha Jones	Pentax News and Rumors	32	03-03-2009 04:58 PM
Pentax announces the X70 12MP 24x zoom digital camera	Ole	Homepage & Official Pentax News	0	03-02-2009 07:54 PM
Pentax Bridge Camera	denisv	Pentax News and Rumors	89	03-02-2009 05:06 PM

03-02-2009, 05:54 AM	#4
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	From those specs and picture, it looks like it uses the same sensor, lens as the Nikon P90, and the body is very similar as well. The LCD screen is different, though, and I can't find details on the Nikon's AF system. Hopefully the X70 has some goodies to differentiate itself from the other bridges in that price bracket.

03-02-2009, 05:58 AM	#5
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823 Original Poster	Selling for $400 at B&H.

03-02-2009, 06:05 AM	#6
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	The Kodak Z980 also seems to use the same sensor & lens: KODAK EASYSHARE Z980 Digital Camera Specifications MSRP is 399 US$ as well...

03-02-2009, 06:22 AM	#7
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Originally posted by rparmar However, according to my calculations this sensor works out to only 1/12 the size of what we have in the DSLR cameras. Robin, this is unavoidable in order to a) keep prices down, and most of all b) manage that huge zoom range.

03-02-2009, 06:28 AM	#8
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by Miserere Robin, this is unavoidable in order to a) keep prices down, and most of all b) manage that huge zoom range. indeed. The LX3 is a completely different beast, with a very short zoom range.

03-02-2009, 06:51 AM	#9
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	No word on whether it has an articulated screen or not. Not having it would be a big blunder IMO.

03-02-2009, 07:06 AM	#10
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by Miserere No word on whether it has an articulated screen or not. Not having it would be a big blunder IMO. I agree, unless it is to make the body weather-sealed. Unfortunately, there is no mention of this anywhere in the leaked litterature so far.

03-02-2009, 08:23 AM	#12
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge Although the 24 X zoom is bigger than most others, who is really going to use this at 624mm? That's what I don't get with these "super zooms" in general. The long end of their range might be fun for e.g. birding, but you need extremely good light conditions in order to freeze the motions of birds at an ISO which still gives good results with this camera (which I assume is ISO 200 - maybe ISO 400 if you're aiming for small prints or the web).

03-02-2009, 08:43 AM	#14
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge the reason is that it is easy to do Easy to make, you mean? Yes, I guess so. And looks impressive in the specs, of course... Also, I guess it might be quite usable in the movie mode for zooming in on very distant objects.

03-02-2009, 09:56 AM	#15
skid2964 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 614	Pentax’s PMA announcement leaked