Pentax K10D Digital SLR and Pentax Optio T20 Digital Camera Announced

Coming at us with a twofer today, Pentax has announced the K10D Digital SLR and Optio T20 Point and Shoot digital camera.  The Pentax K10D provides a 10 megapixel sensor, Shake Reduction, and a weatherproof body.  The Pentax Optio T20 is an update to the T10, providing 7 megapixels and a 3 inch touch sensitive LCD in a body that's only 0.77 inches thick.  Read on for more details and availability of these cameras.

Pentax K10D (view large image)

Pentax Optio T20 (view large image)

Pentax K10D

The K10D features some of Pentax' latest technologies.  A 10.2 megapixel sensor is embedded in their Shake Reduction image stabilization system, providing 2.5-4 stops of stability.  That is, you can shoot 2.5-4 stops slower than you would normally have to without image stabilization.  Another feature that will set the K10D apart is the 72 seals used throughout the camera body to provide dust proofing and water resistance.

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Since the Pentax Shake Reduction system is in the camera body, its benefits are realized with any compatible lens.  You can use one of 24 million lenses that Pentax has shipped since 1964.

Pentax Shake Reduction system (view large image)

In order to accommodate the larger number of pixels, the K10D will contain the new Pentax Real IMage Engine (PRIME) and a 22bit A/D converter that can transfer image data more quickly, with accurate color tones and richer gradation, to the processing engine.

To combat dust, there is a special coating on the CCD surface (Special Protect coating) and the image sensor can also physically shake the dust off.

Along with the camera itself, Pentax is announcing the D-BG2 battery grip that will work with the K10D.  The grip effectively doubles the battery life of the camera.  It also has a vertical shutter-release button, preview lever, two control dials, and AE-lock button and green button to allow easy vertical shooting.

Back of camera with optional battery grip (view large image)

The Pentax K10D will be available in November.  The body only price will be $899 and as a kit with the 18-55mm DA lens for $999.  The D-BG2 battery grip will be available at the same time for $190.

Additional K10D Features:

• Viewfinder magnification of 0.95x
• 2.5 inch, 210K pixel LCD
• 3 fps continuous shooting - unlimited JPEG images or up to 12 RAW image
• Memory media: SD and SDHC memory cards
• Read the rest in the K10D specifications

Pentax Optio T20

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The Pentax Optio T20 is an upgrade to the previous touch-sensitive T10.  There isn't much that's radically different from the T10, but the Optio T20 bumps the resolution up to 7 megapixels.  You also get the 3 inch LCD (with 230K pixels of resolution) and 3x optical zoom lens in an ultra slim body that is only 0.77 inches thick.

The wide viewing angle of the 3 inch screen provides a good opportunity to share with those around you.  The large space provides for fun features, like the My Drawing mode.  With the included stylus, you can draw directly on the monitor, edit your images, create "stamps" to apply to images and all sorts of "fun" features.

The Optio T20 will be available in October for $349.

Additional Pentax Optio T20 features:

• 12 shooting modes
• 640x480 movies at 30 frames per second
• 12MB of internal memory and expand with SD media
• Function setting that lets you store and recall frequently used settings