PENTAX K10D - Perfect for advanced photo enthusiasts!
The PENTAX K10D digital SLR features an array of PENTAX innovations including 10.2 effective megapixels and a PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system that effectively offers a 2.5 to 4 stop advantage for sharp, blur-free images even under difficult shooting conditions, such as macro and telephoto photography or low light settings without a flash. Also featured is a newly-developed Pentax Real IMage Engine (PRIME) designed exclusively for PENTAX digital SLR cameras to produce well-balanced, true-to-life images. PENTAX also incorporated a new high performance 22 bit A/D converter to quickly transfer images with accurate color tones and richer gradation from the CCD to the imaging engine. The new Dust Removal (DR) system incorporating PENTAX-original Special Protect (SP) coating helps keep the CCD surface dust-free, and adds a shift mechanism to shake dust off the CCD. All this is housed in a dependable dust-proof, weather-resistant body construction featuring 72 seals throughout the camera to allow photographers to continue shooting even in dusty or rainy environments.
Key Features
10.2 Megapixel Resolution
The K10D features a large, high-performance 23.5 mm x 15.7mm CCD with 10.2 effective megapixels as its image sensor, assuring the reproduction of true-to-life, rich-gradation images.
Shake Reduction Mechanism
The K10D is equipped with the Pentax Shake Reduction (SR) system, which effectively reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images. This innovative mechanism shifts the position of the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the shifting speed in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor. It offers an outstanding compensation effect equivalent to two to four shutter-speed steps. As a result, it does not require special anti-shake lenses, and can be used with almost all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses.
11-point Wide-frame AF
The K10D's sophisticated SAFOX VIII autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned 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 super-imposed in red in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation.
22-Bit A/D Converter
The K10D incorporates a high-performance A/D converter, which faithfully converts the analog data collected by the CCD image sensor into digital data that offers a digital-conversion capacity 1,024 times greater than conventional 12-bit, 4,096-gradation A/D converters.
PRIME Imaging Engine
The K10D incorporates the PRIME (Pentax Real Image Engine) as its imaging engine. Designed exclusively for Pentax digital SLR cameras, this imaging engine produces well-balanced, true-to-life images through efficient control of CCD signals, saturation, brightness, white balance, sharpness and contrast. Its fast memory (DDR2: Double Data Rate 2) also serves to enhance speedy image processing and high-speed data transfer.
Dust Removal System
The K10D features the Pentax Dust Removal (DR) system to prevent dust from sticking to the surface of the CCD image sensor (or low-pass filter).The Pentax-original Special Protect (SP) coating effectively removes dust and stains from the surface. 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.
Versatile Exposure System for Flexibility and Creativity
The K10D's Hyper Program function allows the user to instantly switch to the Shutter-Priority AE (Tv) mode or Aperture-Priority AE (Av) mode from the Program AE mode, with a simple turn of the electronic dials on the grip, and when shooting in the Metered Manual mode, a single push of the green button allows the user to instantly set the proper exposure for the subject. Furthermore, the K10D features two unique shooting modes; the Sensitivity-Priority AE (Sv) mode, is designed to automatically select the optimum combination of aperture and shutter speed for a user-selected sensitivity, and the Shutter & Aperture-Priority AE (TAv) mode will automatically select the most appropriate sensitivity for a user-selected shutter-speed & aperture combination.
Dust-proof & Water-resistant Construction
The High-rigidity stainless-steel chassis of the K10D boasts a reliable dust-proof, and water-resistant construction, with special seals applied to 72 different parts of the camera body, including the shutter release button and switches/levers/dials, making it possible to use the K10D in the rain or in dusty locations without any worry.
Bright, & Clear Viewfinder
Featuring a glass pentaprism, the K10D's viewfinder offers a 96-percent field of view and a 0.95-times magnification for easy viewing of the subject and effortless confirmation of focus and composition. Coupled with the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen, it delivers a large, bright subject image.
Compatible with All Pentax Interchangeable Lenses
Use your existing Pentax 35 mm lenses and accessories. The K10D offers the outstanding benefit of lens interchangeability that allows users to take advantage of almost all existing Pentax interchangeable lenses. (PENTAX K, KA, KAF and KAF2-mount 35 mm-format lenses can be used without an adapter or modification. Pentax screw-mount 35 mm-format lenses and Pentax 645- and 67-system lenses can be used with an adapter. It is even compatible with supersonic motor-driven autofocus lenses (currently under development), which are expected to provide smoother, quieter autofocus operation than conventional lenses.
Continuous Shooting at 3 fps
To trace the movement of an active subject or capture a sequence of the subject's expressions, the K10D offers a continuous shooting mode that allows the photographer to capture a series of images at a maximum speed of approximately three images per second. In the JPEG recording format, the user can take unlimited images in succession until the capacity of the SD memory card runs out.
Reliable Shutter Unit
The K10D's shutter unit is designed to withstand nearly 100,000 releases, whilst assuring high-precision operation over the entire shutter-speed range - up to a top speed of 1/4000 second. It also features a flash synchronization speed of 1/180 second for more versatile flash photography.
Extra-large, Wide-view LCD Monitor
The K10D incorporates an extra-large 2.5-inch color LCD monitor on its rear panel. Its wide-view design allows the photographer to check the monitor image from 140 degrees both vertically and horizontally, ensuring effortless image viewing even from a diagonal position. With approximately 210,000 pixels, it also offers digital zooming of playback images up to 20 times for easy confirmation of the image's focusing status and details.
High Capacity Rechargeable Battery for Extended Shooting
The K10D features a large-capacity lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which can capture approximately 730 images when fully charged.
Powerful Software Package Included
The K10D includes Pentax Photo Laboratory 3 which features the reliable SILKYPIX image-processing engine for RAW data processing, and the Pentax Photo Browser 3 that offers faster data processing speed and better operability than the previous version, and can convert RAW images to the DNG format.
Direct Print Capable
The K10D Digital Camera is compatible with PictBridge, DPOF, Exif Print and PRINT Image Matching III systems, so you can print quality images using PictBridge supported printers - without the need for a computer.