Pentax has announced the release of the K100D Super, based on the popular K100D.

The new model features a dust removal system to keep the sensor free of foreign matter and Pentax?s shake reduction system for minimising camera shake.

The K100D Super supports an adaptor, to be purchased separately, enabling use of lenses from the medium format ranges of the 645 and the 67 selections.

SDHC memory cards can be used as well as SD cards, allowing larger numbers of images to be stored. Price and release date are yet to be confirmed.


See below for full details.



Main Features:

1. PENTAX original Shake Reduction mechanism for sharp, blur-free images

Using magnetic force, this SLR system shifts the camera?s image sensor vertically and horizontally at the optimum speed to compensate for the amount of camera shake detected, assuring outstanding compensation effects (equivalent to approximately 2 to 3.5 shutter steps). Since this versatile system is compatible with all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses*, it does not require special anti-shake lenses equipped with add-on optics or devices.

*Compatible with K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2-mount lenses without an adaptor, and screw-mount, 645-system and 67-system lenses with an adaptor. Available functions may be limited with certain lenses.

2. Dust Removal system to keep dust off the CCD surface

Applied to the CCD surface through a vapour deposition process of a fluorine compound, the PENTAX-original Super Protect (SP) coating effectively removes dust and stains from the surface. In the next step, dust that still remains on the surface will be shaken off when the SR system shifts the CCD at high speed. The dust that is shaken off the CCD will fall onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of its returning to the CCD surface.

3. Auto sensitivity control up to 3200 standard output sensitivity

The K100D Super features an auto sensitivity control function, which automatically sets the optimum standard output sensitivity ? up to 3200, which is the highest automatic setting in its class ? based on such data as the subject?s brightness level and the lens? focal length. Since this function allows the use of higher shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor sports events and night scenes), it helps the photographer to effectively reduce camera shake and prevent blurred images. The user can pre-program a desired level, from ISO 200 to the super-high sensitivity of the ISO 3200.

4. Auto Picture Mode for effortless point-and-shoot SLR photography

The PENTAX-original Auto Picture mode automatically and instantly selects one of five picture modes (including portrait, landscape, and macro) to create the most appropriate visual effect for a given subject. Since the camera sets all primary parameters (including shutter speed, aperture, white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness), the photographer can concentrate on picture composition and shutter opportunity.

5. 11-point wide-frame AF to capture off-centre subjects in crisp focus

The K100D Super?s sophisticated SAFOX VIII autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors in the middle) to automatically focus on the subject with utmost precision, even when it is positioned off centre. The in-focus sensor point is automatically superimposed in red in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation.

6. Large LCD monitor to facilitate image viewing and menu setting

The K100D Super features a large 2.5-inch colour LCD monitor on its back panel. Its wide-view design allows the photographer to check the monitor image over 140 degrees vertically and horizontally, ensuring effortless image viewing even from a diagonal position. It provides 210,000 pixels for high-resolution image viewing, with a zoom display function that lets users magnify images up to 12 times.

7. Bright, clear viewfinder

The K100D Super features a lightweight penta-mirror viewfinder, which combines PENTAX-original finder optics with a Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen to deliver a bright, clear subject image with a 0.85-times magnification and a 96-percent field of view.

8. True-to-life, rich-gradation images assured by 6.1 effective megapixels

The K100D features a large, high-performance 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD as its image sensor, assuring the faithful reproduction of the desired photographic intention in the resulting images ? from images with beautiful out-of-focus backgrounds to those with edge-to-edge sharpness.

9. Compatibility with high-quality, high ?capacity SDHC memory card

The K100D Super accepts not only the conventional SD memory card as its storage media, but also the newly standardized SDHC card, ** which allows the user to store a great number of large data files, such as RAW-format images.

** SD High Capacity card, with a storage capacity exceeding 2 GB

10. Compatibility with SDM system for smoother, quieter auto-focusing operation

The K100D Super?s camera body is compatible with a new SDM system,which
assures smoother, quieter autofocusing operation using a built in supersonic
motor. When the lens equipped with SDM system is mounted on the PENTAX
K100D Super camera body, the focus mode is automatically switched to SDM
assisted autofocusing.

11.Compact, lightweight body with optimum holding comfort

The K100D Super has been designed to be compact and lightweight for easy
carrying and enhanced maneuverability. It also offers an easy-to-hold grip to
assure a stable shooting position.

12. Other features

o 19 custom functions to personalise camera operations
o Consecutive shooting of up to five frames at the speed of approximately 2.8 frames per second (at BEST image quality in JPEG format)
o Eight distinctive Scene modes to accommodate specific subjects/applications
o Choice of two preview functions (digital/optical)
o Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, centre-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
o Noise reduction mechanism to reduce digital noise during extended exposures
o Dual power source (two CR-V3 lithium batteries, or four AA-size batteries)
o USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED) compatibility for speedy data transfer to PC
o Five digital filters (black-and-white, sepia, slim, soft and brightness) for easy editing of recorded images
o PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 RAW data and image processing software and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3 image browser software included on the accompanying CD-ROM
o Compatibility with PictBridge, DPOF, Exif Print and PRINT Image Matching? formats
o
o – SDHC Logo is a trademark
o – PENTAX and SDM are trademarks of PENTAX Corporation
o – PENTAX PHOTO Browser and PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory are trademarks of PENTAX Corporatio
o – All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
o – Design and Specifications are subject to change without notice