Pentax K10D
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pentax K10D[1] | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type | digital single-lens reflex camera |
| Sensor | Interline interlace CCD with a primary color filter |
| Maximum resolution | 3,872 x 2,592 (10.2 megapixels) |
| Lens type | Interchangeable Pentax KAF2 mount compatible with Pentax auto-aperture lenses; older lenses supported in stop-down metering mode. |
| Shutter speed range | 1/4000 sec - 30 sec |
| Exposure Metering | TTL open-aperture metering with choice of: 16-segment, Center-weighted & Spot meter |
| Exposure Modes | Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter-Speed Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter-Speed and Aperture Priority, Manual, Bulb |
| ASA/ISO range | ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, |
| Rear LCD monitor | 2.5", 210,000 pixels |
| Storage | SD, SDHC |
| Battery | Rechargeable D-LI50 Lithium-ion battery, Optional AC adapter |
| Weight | 710 g (25 oz) |
The Pentax K10D and similar Samsung GX-10 are 10.2 megapixel digital single-lens reflex cameras launched in late 2006. They were developed in a collaboration between Pentax of Japan and Samsung of Korea.[2]
The K10D was announced on 2006-09-13,[3] and released in mid-November 2006, while Samsung announced the GX-10 on 2006-09-21[4] and will be available on 2007-01-15.
It has been hailed by Popular Photography and Imaging magazine as "an all-star player."[5]
Contents |
[edit] Technology and construction
It combines a 10.2 effective megapixel CCD sensor, coupled with a 22-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a shake reduction system which also provides a dust removal feature to keep dust off the sensor surface. The K10D features a new image processor called PRIME (Pentax Real IMage Engine), which interfaces with DDR2 RAM, providing 800MB/s bandwidth. The camera body is dust and weather-resistant featuring 72 seals throughout the camera.
[edit] Competition and market segment
The K10D's feature set does not match precisely any other camera on the market[6]. By sensor size and price it is a competitor to the the Sony α 100, the Nikon D80, the Canon EOS 400D ("Digital Rebel XTi" in North America) and the Olympus E-400, all 10 megapixel DSLRs unveiled in mid to late 2006. However, the K10D can also be considered a competitor to higher priced cameras such as the Canon EOS 30D[7], and its weather sealing is only matched by the much more expensive Nikon D200 and the Canon EOS-1D Mark II N/1Ds Mark II in current production.
[edit] Lens mount and compatible lenses
The K10D is the first Pentax camera to feature the "crippled" KAF2 mount. Like the full-featured KAF2 mount, this has power contacts for the lens and supports power zoom and MTF information transferred from the lens to the body. In addition, the K10D supports in-lens ultrasonic focusing motors, similar to Canon's USM. Ultrasonic lenses are not yet available, but are expected in early 2007 as fruits of the cooperation with Tokina.[8]
Like the "crippled" KAF mount used on previous Pentax digital SLRs, this lacks the mechanism to read the aperture setting set on the lens' aperture ring and is thus only fully compatible with K mount lenses that have an 'A' auto setting on the aperture ring, or no aperture ring at all. Older lenses are only supported at their widest aperture or in stop-down metering mode.
It should be noted that while the camera body is of dust-proof weather resistant construction, there are currently no compatible lenses available which have a rubber gasket to seal the interface between the lens and camera body[9]. Unlike its Canon and Nikon counterparts which have the gasket on some of its lenses, this contact interface between the lens and camera body will still be a point for water and dust ingress into the camera body. This should, however, change with the release of Pentax's SuperSonic lenses - mentioned above - in March 2007 which are expected to complete weather sealing for K10D.
[edit] References
- ^ Pentax K10D Specifications. Pentax imaging.
- ^ Samsung Techwin (2005-10-12). Entering into interchangeable lens D-SLR Camera market. Press release.
- ^ Pentax imaging (2006-09-13). Pentax announces K10D digital SLR with ten megapixels, shake reduction and weather-resistant body. Press release.
- ^ Samsung (2006-09-21). Samsung SLR evolves with the launch of the GX-10. Press release.
- ^ Howard, Jack and Richards, Dan (January 2007). Camera Test: Pentax K10D. Popular Photography and Imaging (website). Retrieved on December 13, 2006.
- ^ Cybernium (2006-12-20). 10 Megapixels DSLR Cameras Comparison. www.neocamera.com. Retrieved on December 20, 2006.
- ^ Askey, Phil (2006-12-15). Pentax K10D Review: 17. Compared to .... DPReview.com. Retrieved on December 26, 2006.
- ^ Pentax Corp. (2006-09-21). Pentax to Exhibit Upcoming Digital SLR Camera Products at Photokina 2006 in Germany. Press release.
- ^ Pentax 10D - A Hand-On Report. The Luminous Landscape (2006-12-20).
