There are two new contenders in the competitive DSLR marketplace in the shape of the Pentax K100D and K110D.
Targeted at digital photography enthusiasts, both models offer 6MP imaging power though 23.5 x 15.7mm CCDs, 11-point wide frame AF, ISO sensitivity up to 3200, a 2.5-inch screen and a top shutter speed of 1/4000. The K100D is also Pentax’s first DSLR to feature a CCD-shift shake reduction system.
Developed as a starter camera for budding digital SLR photographers, the K110D is designed to offer simplified operation through features such as a lightweight penta-mirror viewfinder, large format menu navigation and an Auto Picture Mode which automatically selects one of the five picture modes including Portrait, Landscape and Macro.
The K100D follows a similarly user-friendly design ethos, but packs in a few extra features over and above those offered by its new stable mate. Top of the list is a Pentax-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system, which minimises camera shake by magnetically oscillating the CCD at high speed while adjusting the speed of oscillation in proportion to the amount of camera movement detected by a built-in sensor.
The new SLRs are both compatible with existing Pentax lenses, including K-, KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount models, in addition to screw-mount, 67-system and 645-system lenses (with an adapter).
You can find out full details of both new releases at www.pentax.co.uk