eK-gadgets info

Pentax announced a new entry-level digital SLR, known as the K2000 (and the K-m outside of the USA) — plus two lenses and a ring flash. In an unusual move, Pentax is including an external flash with the K2000 kit — even though it has a built-in flash. Anyhow, here are the details on the camera and the new toys that go with it. Hopefully I’ll have more photos of these later in the day.

Pentax K2000

• 10.2 effective Megapixel CCD
• Support for all Pentax K-mount lenses
• Compact, yet easy to hold body (which has a stainless steel chassis)
• Sensor-shift image stabilization system, also used for dust reduction
• 2.7″ LCD display with 230,000 pixels; camera does not support live view
• Optical viewfinder with 0.85x magnification and 96% coverage
• Full manual controls + auto scene selection mode
• 5-point autofocus system
• Can shoot continuously at 3.5 frames/second
• Adjustment dynamic range and shadow adjustment features
• RAW image format supported; in-camera RAW development feature
• Hot shoe foe external flash; 1/180 sec x-sync speed
• SD/SDHC memory card slot
• Uses four AA batteries; no battery life numbers yet
• Includes the new F3.5-5.6, 18 - 55 mm kit lens, plus the AF200FG external flash; a double lens kit (adding the new F4.0-5.6, 50 - 200 mm lens) will be available next year
• Shipping in November for $699

Now onto the new accessories. The 18-55 and 50 - 200 mm lenses that I mentioned above are the first Pentax lenses with the “DA L” designation. While I believe the optics are the same, these new lenses are smaller and lighter than their predecessors.

Two lenses that are definitely new are in Pentax’s DA* line. First we have a new F1.4, 55 mm SDM lens. It’ll ship in December for under $800. For telephoto fans, there’s a new F4, 60 - 250 mm ED SDM lens. This one will be priced at $1499 when it ships in November. Pentax will also be previewing an F4, 15 mm Limited lens and a 1.4x teleconverter at Photokina, and they’ll be shipping sometime next year.

The last new Pentax item for today is the AF160FC Auto Macro Ring Flash, which is well suited for close-up and medical/dental photography. It will ship next month for $499.

Olympus is showing off two prototype cameras at the big Photokina show in Germany, and they’ve let out a few details today. If I can find some more details on these two, I’ll update the news item.

The first camera (which has no name yet) will bridge the gap between the E-520 and E-3. Olympus uses the phrase “Creative Photo Expression Function” a lot in the press materials, though I’m not exactly sure what that means. Here’s some more concrete information:

• World’s fastest autofocus system (11-point)
• Image stabilization with 5 steps of compensation
• Splash and dustproof
• 1/8000 sec max shutter speed
• Rotating LCD display
• High speed contrast detect AF with face detection
• Ships in the first quarter of 2009

Canon PowerShot G10
Moving on to compact cameras now, we have the G10, the flagship of the Canon PowerShot lineup. Here are its specs:PowerShot G10 

• 14.7 effective Megapixel CCD
• F2.8-4.5, 5X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 140 mm
• Optical image stabilization
• Digic 4 image processor
• 3.0″ LCD display with 460,000 pixels + optical viewfinder
• Full manual controls, RAW image format supported
• Intelligent Contrast Correction (i-Contrast) brightens shadows while leaving highlights alone
• Face detection has been enhanced with a “face self-timer” feature that waits for the photographer to get into the photo
• Automatic redeye correction
• Hot shoe for external flash
• Optional telephoto lens, underwater case, and remote shutter release cable
• Can record movies at 640 x 480 (30 fps) until 4GB file size is reached
  • Now uses H.264 codec (finally!) for longer movies
• SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot
• Uses NB-7L lithium-ion battery; 400 shots per charge
• Ships in October for $499

Next we have the PowerShot SX10 IS, which is the replacement for the PowerShot S5. There was another replacement for the S5 announced today — the CMOS-based S1X IS — but it appears that it’s not destined for our shores. Here are the details on the camera were are getting, the SX10:

PowerShot SX10 IS

• 10.0 effective Megapixel CCD
• F2.8-5.7, 20X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 560 mm
  • Lens uses new “voice coil motor” for increased AF speed and less motor noise
• Optical image stabilization
• Digic 4 image processor
• Flip-out, rotating 2.5″ LCD display with 230,000 pixels + electronic viewfinder
• Full manual controls + numerous scene modes
• New Servo AF mode (also found on the G10) for tracking a moving subject
• Same Intelligent Contrast Control and Face Detection features as the G10
• Records movies at 640 x 480 (30 fps) with stereo sound recording using H.264 codec
  • Zoom lens can be used while recording
• SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus card slot
• Uses four AA batteries; 600 shots per charge with NiMH cells
• Ships in late October for $399

Last, but not least, we have two ultra-compact Digital ELPHs. The SD880/Ixus 870IS features a wide-angle lens and a large LCD, while the SD990 trades those for a whopping 14.7 Megapixel CCD. Here’s more:

PowerShot SD880 IS/Ixus 870IS Digital ELPH

• 10.0 effective Megapixel CCD
• F2.8-5.8, 4X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28 - 112 mm
• Optical image stabilization
• Ultra-compact metal body comes in silver and gold
• 3-inch LCD display with 230,000 pixels; no optical viewfinder
• Point-and-shoot operation
• Same ICC and face detection features as other models
• Records movies at 640 x 480 (30 fps) using the H.264 codec
• Uses NB-5L lithium-ion battery; 310 shots per charge
• Ships in late October for $299

PowerShot SD990 IS/ Ixus 970 IS Digital ELPH

• 14.7 effective Megapixel CCD (groan)
• F2.8-5.8, 3.7X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 36 - 133 mm
• Comes in silver, black, and red (the last one is only available direct from Canon); design looks like a car if you stare at it for a while
• 2.5″ LCD display with 230,000 pixels + optical viewfinder
• 280 shots per charge
• Priced at $399