Breaking: New Pentax K-X coming out tomorrow!

The Pentax K-X full specs and pics were very briefly displayed on a web site (I will not mention which one for now):

KEY FEATURES

• High resolution 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor features sensor-shift Shake Reduction for stabilized image and video capture up to 4 stops max.

• Large 2.7 inch LCD features Live View with contrast, phase difference, and Face Detection autofocus (up to 16 faces).

• Capture widescreen HD video in full 720p resolution (1280x720) at 24 FPS cinematic framerate, using any PENTAX 35mm lens.

• Highly compact DSLR body design allows for 1 handed operation and comfort when travelling.

• Powerful automatic modes, including PENTAX Auto Picture and scene modes, ensure the perfect shot in any situation, while helping new photographers learn DSLR photography.

• Creative processing and filter modes produce high quality finished images, while offering the ability to explore artistic freedom through unique special effects.

• True HDR image capture blends 3 bracketed images into a single picture with outstanding shadow, highlight, and midrange detail.

• Fast 4.7 FPS capture speed and 1/6000 second maximum shutter speeds are possible with the PENTAX PRIME II image processing engine.

• Responsive 11 point wide angle SAFOX VIII autofocus system focuses quickly and accurately, and can easily track moving subjects.

• Capture up to 1900 shots with universally available, easy-to-find AA lithium batteries (also compatible with AA NiMH rechargeable and alkaline batteries).

• Expanded ISO range covers sensitivities from 100-12800 for extreme low light photography.

Full Specs after the jump:

CAMERA HARDWARE

MODEL: K-x

TYPE: Digital SLR

PRODUCT CODE:

Lens Kit: 16301, UPC: 027075159440

Dual Lens Kit (50-200): 16201, UPC: 027075159457

Dual Lens Kit (55-300): 15801, UPC: 027075159464

SENSOR

Type: CMOS with primary color filter and integrated Shake/Dust Reduction sensor-movement system

Size: 23.6 x 15.8mm

Color depth: 8 bits/channel JPG, 12 bits/channel RAW

Effective pixels: 12.4 MP

Total pixels: 12.9 MP

Recorded resolutions

Still: 12M (4288x2848), 10M (3936x2624), 6M (3072x2048), 2M (1728x1152)

Movie (resolution/FPS): 1280x720p24 (16:9), 640x416p24 (3:2)

Quality levels:  Best,  Better,  Good

Dust Removal: Image sensor movement combined with SP coating (Dust Alert available)

LENS MOUNT

Type/construction: PENTAX KAF2 bayonet stainless steel mount

Usable lenses: PENTAX KAF3, KAF2, KAF, KA (K mount, 35mm screwmount, 645/67 med format lenses useable w adapter and/or restrictions)

SDM function: Yes

Power zoom function: n/a

FOCUS SYSTEM

Type: TTL phase-matching 11 point (9 cross) wide autofocus system (SAFOX VIII)

Focus modes: AF Auto, AF Single (w focus lock), AF Continuous (available in Action mode including Auto Picture Action, Kids, Pet, Stage Lighting, Night Snap, P/A/S/M/B/Sv), Manual

Focus point adjustment: 11 point auto, 5 point auto, AF point select, center/spot

AF assist: Yes, via built-in flash

VIEWFINDER

Type: Pentamirror

Coverage (field of view): Approx 96%

Magnification: Approx 0.85X (w 50mm F1.4 at infinity)

Standard focusing screen: Natural-Bright-Matte II

Diopter adjustment: -2.5 to 1.5

Depth of field preview: Optical & Digital (available via programmable Green button)

LCD MONITOR

Type: 2.7” TFT color LCD monitor w adjustable brightness

Resolution: 230,000 dots

Wide angle viewable: Yes

LIVE VIEW

Type: TTL by CMOS image sensor

Field Of View: 100%

Display Modes: Magnification (2-6X in AF, 2-10X in MF), grid pattern, bright/dark indication, histogram

Autofocus: Contrast w Face Detection (up to 16 faces), contrast, phase difference

BUILT-IN FLASH

Type: Retractable P-TTL auto/manual popup flash

Guide number: 12 (100/m), 16 (200/m)

Coverage: 25mm wide angle (equivalent to 35mm)

Flash modes: On, off, redeye, slow sync, slow sync w redeye, slow sync w trailing curtain, wireless

Flash exposure compensation: -2 to 1 EV (1/2 steps)

EXTERNAL FLASH

Type: Hot shoe (P-TTL, high speed sync), wireless w PENTAX dedicated flash

Synchronization speed: 1/180s

STORAGE MEDIA

Internal memory: n/a

Removable memory: SD, SDHC

INTERFACES

Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed, AV out

Video out: NTSC, PAL

Printer interfaces: n/a

POWER SUPPLY

Power source: 4 AA (lithium, NiMH rechargeable, alkaline)

Recordable images: Approx 1900 (1100 w 50% flash, CIPA)

Playback time: Approx 680 min

Movie recording time: Approx TBD

AC adapter available: Yes (optional)

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Body dimensions (W x H x D): 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7”

Body weight

Without battery or removable memory: 18.2 oz

Loaded and ready: 20.5 oz (lithium)

Construction material(s): Fiber reinforced plastic polymer covers around a rugged stainless steel chassis

Weather resistant: n/a

Operating temperature: 32-104°F

LANGUAGE SUPPORT

English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, Dutch, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Traditional/Simplified Chinese

IMAGE STABILIZATION

Type: Sensor-shift Shake Reduction (4 stops max)

METERING SYSTEM

Type: TTL open aperture, 16 segment metering

Sensitivity range: EV 1-21.5 (ISO 200, 50mm F1.4)

Multi-segment: Yes

Center weighted: Yes

Spot: Yes

Exposure compensation: +/- 3 EV (1/2 or 1/3 steps)

Exposure lock: Yes (available via programmable AF/AE-L button)

Exposure bracketing: Yes, 3 frames, up to +/- 1.5 (1/2 steps) or +/- 1.0 (1/3 steps)

ISO SENSITIVITY

Auto: 200-6400 (1, 1/2, 1/3 EV steps), up to 1600 in Bulb, expand to 100-12800

Manual: 200-6400 (1, 1/2, 1/3 EV steps), up to 1600 in Bulb, expand to 100-12800

WHITE BALANCE*

Auto preset modes: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE

Manual mode(s): Yes

* WB fine adjustment available in all modes

SHUTTER

Type: Electronically controlled, vertical run, focal plane shutter

Shutter speed: 1/6000 to 30 sec, bulb available

CAPTURE MODES

Mode selection: Auto Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Stage Lighting [JPG], Night Snap [JPG]), Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Metered Manual, Bulb (available in Metered Manual), Movie

Custom Image Modes: Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Muted, Monochrome. Color modes include gamut radar and fine adjustment for saturation, hue, key, contrast, sharpness (regular and fine adj). Monochrome mode includes adjustment for film filter effects (green, yellow, orange, red, magenta, blue, cyan, infrared), toning (sepia warm/cool), key, contrast, sharpness (regular and fine adj). Cross Processing mode available for creative random effect generation.

Green simplified mode available: n/a

P/A/S/M/B: P, A, S, M, B (in Metered Manual), Sv (Sensitivity Priority)

Date stamp: n/a

Digital filters (capture): Toy Camera, High Contrast, Soft, Starburst, Retro, Color Extract (6), Fisheye, Custom (8)

Data record: Folder name (standard/date)

DRIVE MODES

Mode selection: Single, Continuous (Hi, Lo), Self Timer (12s, 2s), Remote (0s, 3s), Auto Bracket, HDR Capture (+3, 0, -3 w 2 blend settings), Multi-Exposure

Continuous FPS: Approx 4.7 FPS (Continuous Hi: 17 JPG, 5 RAW), 2 FPS (Continuous Lo: unlimited JPG, 11 RAW)

Self-timer: Yes (12s, 2s)

Remote control: Yes (infrared, 0s, 3s)

PLAYBACK MODES

Mode selection: One Shot (no data, basic data, full data, color channel histogram), Multi Image Display (4, 9, 16, or 36 thumbnails), Calendar Filmstrip, Folder, Magnification (quick zoom available), Select & Delete, Movie Playback (no data, basic data, full data), Bright/Dark Indication

Mode pallet: Image Rotation, Digital Filter, Resize, Cropping, Slideshow, Image Comparison, RAW Development, Index Print, Protect, DPOF

Magnification: Up to 16X, scrollable

Digital filters (playback): Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Extract Color (6), Watercolor, Pastel, Miniature, Base Parameter Adj, Monochrome (filter effects, toning), Color (6), Soft, Starburst, Fisheye, Slim, HDR, Custom Filter

FILE FORMATS

Still: RAW (PEF, DNG), JPG (EXIF 2.21), DCF 2.0 (design rule for camera file system), DPOF, Print Image Matching III

Movie (compression): AVI (motion JPG)

CUSTOM FUNCTIONS

Functions available: 22

FILE STORAGE MATRIX (BASED ON 1GB MEMORY)

JPG   

12M 138 244 479

10M 163 289 564

6M 267 468 902

2M 805 1373 2518

RAW

12M 48

MOVIE (H:M:S)*   

1280x720p24 0:02:56 0:04:08 0:05:49

640x416p24 0:09:52 0:13:47 0:19:00

* Movie maximum: 4GB, 25 min

COMPUTER SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS*

*For device connectivity. Bundled software requirements may vary.

Windows: Windows XP/Vista/7, USB 2.0 port

Mac: MacOS-X 10.3-10.5, USB 2.0 port