At a Chinese trade show, Pentax showed a teaser of an upcoming camera, covered by a black cloth. Reportedly, the new product is suppose to be "more important" than a regular point and shoot camera. Pentax is expected to release two new interchangeable lenses compact cameras this summer, one will be mirrorless (NC-1) and the other will be SLR type (Auto 110 digital).
The Pentax NC-1 mirrorless camera will have a 14MP 1/2,33″ sensor with a 5.6x crop factor and HD h.264 video recording capabilities. The camera will be initially sold as one lens kit. Some of the rumored lenses are 8.5mm f/1.9 and 5-15mm f/2.8-4.5. The Pentax NC-1 will have also a flash hot shoe. Expected release date is end of May, 2011.
In addition, there will be also a new Pentax RZ-18 Optio compact camera with a swivel screen.
Image credit: Sina via Ricehigh
Related posts:
- Olympus starts new “Oh My Goodness” teaser campaign for their upcoming OM-D camera (updated)
- Pentax NC-1 mirrorless camera will come in two colors
- Pentax RZ-18 Optio compact camera will have a swivel screen
- Pentax manager on their mirrorless camera: “We’re on it” (NC-1)
- Pentax Q interchangeable lens camera will be announced in August
22 Comments
F/1.9 x 5.6 = DOV of f/10. Attraction to camera = 0
Is Pentax even relevant with 1.5% market share?
If Canon can succeed with fault-ridden cameras like the 5D and get people like you to buy it because they can’t afford the real pro cameras, then anybody can succeed! Pentax, Olympus, Ricoh, ANYBODY.
Having shot Pentax for over 20 years, I’d say yes.
However, I never found the DSLR’s to give the feel their film bodies did.
Though I have warmed-up to the K-5 somewhat this year.
Whatever the case, there seems to be a rather strong showing of Pentax users today. No to mention that their latest prosumer body is ranked as top APSC-DSLR at DxOMark.
Is their body, or the sensor top of the list?
DxO is for all I know only sensor statistics.
Are you relevant being one among 6 billion people?
Well, even Ford was able to sell the Edsel for awhile.
I just don’t understand Pentax brand loyalty.
Victory in defeat?
pentax has #1 ergonomy, camera bodies are much smaller and feel like a camera. compare k5 vs bulky d7000. canikon ergonomy is pain in ass for me. lenses are much smaller, lighter. there are also some faults, but the last generation k5/kr are probably the best cameras in its classes.
and about brand loyalty, if you have pentax, you are different. i just don`t understand what`s so great on canikon. maybe it`s just because amercinas like big stuff
Yes, Pentax has a better ergonomy than Nikon. I used to have K10D for two years and I had little to complain about. Small, weather proof, well-thought out camera.
Now, I have D700 and it’s for only two reasons – the pictures are much better (like a different world better!) and it’s way easier to buy lenses for Nikon than for Pentax.
After three years, still find the Nikon ergonomy poorly executed (buttons for ISO, WB,… lack of real user setting, no in-body IS….)
Unfortunately, considering picture quality, there is no alternative
“the Nikon ergonomy
…
no in-body IS”
Since when is in-body stabilization an ergonomical feature? And talking about ease of use, I prefer the in-lens stabilization. The reason is you see in the viewfinder a steady image and exactly what you will get in the picture.
Since I don’t need to press shutter button to start it and to keep it pressed for some time to get it running. I use AF-ON for AF.
Pentax’s IS is engaged only during the exposure and does so instantly. And from my experience, it’s also more effective. I owned both cameras for almost a year together and yes, Pentax IS is clearly better and especially, much more reliable.
Not even talking about the fact it works with 50mm, would work with my 85mm, with wide angle lenses (yes, IS on WA lenses is very useful as many people who used it will approve), with M42 lenses, and with anything you put in front of the camera. If there is one feature I want from Nikon, it is the in-body IS.
btw, I shoot with 200+1.7TC and don’t feel much help from the stabilized viewfinder. I can see the difference and it is nice but it doesn’t compensate for the much bigger advantage of in-body IS.
In body IS only works for digital. There are F5 and F6 users where you are stuck at a given ISO for 36 exposures where VR benefits FILM shooters! Plus, what is the point of in body IS and 100% VF? You may not be capturing what you see, where as with VR, what you see is what you get.
In other words, almost vaporware.
I think someone at Pentax has got their marketing wrong.
Teaser ads only work if people are waiting for and lusting after a certain product that’s expected to be released sometime soon…like the D800 or 5D mark III.
Is a picture of something covered in a black cloth a teaser campaign ?
I can understand if somebody does not care for such a small player as Pentax. But what I don’t understand is how somebody like “What’s a Pentax?” cares enough to come whining every time the brand is mentioned. Did somebody called Pentax steal your lunch money or what?
Move on, nothing to see here.
isn’t there anybody who can read the Japanese characters printed on the box?
On another forum somebody said that it’s just something like “something new is coming”, so not very specific.
But if the releases this year the two rumored cameras, being a Pentax user myself I have to unfortunately say that I have no interest either like somebody posted above.
well,
if theres a posibility that Pentax is releasing an APS-C mirrorless cam, in rangefinder look, i bet my ass that its going to rock and will sell like hell.
Pentax is, in opinion, beside Olympus and Nikon the best Camera manufacturer.
Their cameras are really stunning, and i hope, their mirrorless will be too.
“if theres a posibility that Pentax is releasing an APS-C mirrorless cam, in rangefinder look, i bet my ass that its going to rock and will sell like hell.”
So very true. But they spoiled it already if you check pentax rumors. Not a chance for something like this.
Just release another zoom lens Pentax!
Slow, all-in-one zooms with poor image quality will keep your customer base happy!
Be sure to charge a premium price for it!
Barry, is that you?
+1 he is guzzling that haterade for no reason, trying to impose his opinion on the interweb lolz
if i had the cash money i would drop it on a k-5 forthwith