Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

 

Pentax Q10 Leaks Out Ahead of Official Launch

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Pentax Q10

Pentax’s next mirrorless camera, the Q10, has surfaced online with plenty of images from all angles of the new camera.  The Pentax Q mirrorless camera system is basically a compact-camera with interchangeable lenses.  For whatever reasons, Pentax chose to keep the sensor in the tiny, compact camera format and build a system around that. [Read more…]

Pentax 645D Gets $1200 Price Drop

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Pentax 645D

The 40MP medium format Pentax 645D recently got a price drop from $9,995 to $8,795, which puts it even closer to the high-end 35mm DSLR range (see, e.g., Canon 1D X at $6,800 and Nikon D4 at $6,000).

Some retailers have already updated their list pricing to reflect the price drop (Adorama), while others have not (B&H Photo).  Expect the pricing to go into effect at all Pentax retailers soon.

Pentax X-5 26x Superzoom Officially Announced

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Pentax X-5

After some earlier leaks of the camera, Pentax got official with the new X-5 superzoom camera today.  The Pentax X-5 sports a stabilized 26x optical zoom lens (22.3-580mm equivalent) and a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor.  While its not quite the reach as the massive 40x zoom Olympus SP-820UZ announced today, that’s still a great wide angle to telephoto reach.

The X-5 also features a 3-inch tilting LCD, an electronic viewfinder and 1080/30p HD video capture.  It can capture up to 10fps for a max of 30 images per sequence.

The X-5 is powered by four AA batteries and should be available in September 2012 for $279.95.  You can order the Pentax X-5 here at B&H Photo.

Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Available July 27

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Sigma APO Macro 180mm

Pricing and availability are now official for the new Sigma APO Macro 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens.  It will be available on July 27 for $1699 for Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Sony and Pentax mounts.  It’s currently available for pre-order at B&H Photo.

More info on the new lens in the latest press release below. [Read more…]

DSLR Average Online Purchase Price Increases By More Than $350 from 2011

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Online buyers of DSLR cameras pay $1,291, on average, for their camera, up from $937 in 2011, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Digital Single-Lens Reflex Camera Online Buyer ReportSM released last week.

I was a little surprised to read those numbers, considering the affordable DSLR options available now – with cameras like the Nikon D3200, Rebel T3 and Sony A37.  However, I’m also a little curious if the consumer move toward affordable mirrorless cameras like the Sony NEX-F3 and Olympus E-PM1 has impacted these figures (which may not be factored into “DSLR” sales evaluated by JD Power).

Additional notes from the report points to Pentax’s lead in buyer satisfaction and durability.  Finally, note that these scores are based on consumer surveys rather than objective test data.

More excerpts from the press release below. [Read more…]

Pentax K-30 Officially Unveiled

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Pentax K-30

The Pentax K-30 has been officially announced.  It features a 16MP CMOS sensor with full HD video capture at 24p and 30p, as well as 720p capture at 60fps.  The K-30 touts a weather resistant design with functionality in temperatures down to 14°F.

Additionally, the K-30 offers a new 11-point AF system with 9 cross-type AF points.  The viewfinder features 100% frame coverage at a 0.92x magnification.  The K-30 can capture 6 fps when shooting JPEG images and offers sensor-based image stabilization.

The K-30 should be available in July 2012 for $849.95 for the body only or $899.95 with an 18-55mm kit lens.  Check availability at B&H Photo.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]