Pentax has announced a brand new camera that is targeted for those who want to make the jump from the standard compact camera to an SLR, but do not want to spend the high cost of one. Called the Pentax X-5, it features a 16-megapixel camera with an optical 26x zoom lens.
The camera also can record in full HD video, and features a large 3-inch LCD monitor that is also tilt-able, meaning that you can adjust the screen so you can see the viewfinder while taking angle shots. It also includes Auto Picture Mode that selects the best mode to take a picture based on the conditions surrounding the subject; 12 filters to add “creative touches” (or, put simply, Instagram effects on a camera).
The camera runs on four AA batteries, and avid photographers will be pleased to know that this camera will be compatible with Eye-Fi cards – meaning photos can be transferred to a particular service on the go and without the need for a computer.
The camera comes out in October for $299. The full press release is below.
PENTAX X-5: All purpose digital camera featuring a versatile optical 26x zoom lens and a tilt-able LCD monitor
Sydney, Australia, Thursday 23 August 2012: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. has announced the launch of the PENTAX X-5 digital camera. Equipped with an optical 26x zoom lens covering ultra-wide-angle to super-telephoto ranges, this all-in-one digital camera lets photographers capture beautiful, high-quality images of a wide variety of subjects and scenes with minimal effort.
Ideal for those wishing to make the jump from compact to SLR – the X-5 features a 16MP CMOS sensor, full HD movie recording, super resolution technology and a shake reduction system. The X-5 incorporates an electronic viewfinder in addition to a tilt-able 3” LCD monitor which allows the photographer to adjust the screen to an angle for easier viewing in challenging light conditions.
Pricing and availability
The PENTAX X-5 is available from October from leading camera retailers nationwide.
Available in black and silver.
RRP AU$299For sales and customer enquiries contact Pentax’s Australian distributor, C.R. Kennedy on (03) 9823 1555 or visit www.pentax.com.au
Major Features
1. Versatile optical 26X zoom lens with 22.3mm ultra-wide-angle coverage to accommodate diversified subjects
Within its compact, easy-to-carry body, the PENTAX X-5 features a high-magnification optical 26-times zoom lens, offering a focal-length coverage from 22.3mm ultra-wide angle to 580mm super telephoto (in the 35mm format). Coupled with the 1cm macro mode, which lets the photographer capture dramatic close-up images of a subject from just one centimetre away, it offers quick, effortless shooting in a wide range of photographic situations.
The X-5 also provides the Intelligent Zoom function, which extends the camera’s zoom coverage to approximately 187.2 times (for a focal length of 4174mm in the 35mm format) without compromising image quality.
2. Back-illuminated CMOS image sensor to optimise image quality in high-sensitivity shooting
The X-5 incorporates a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor. With its top sensitivity of ISO 6400 and approximately 16.0 effective megapixels, it demonstrates remarkable high-sensitivity, low-noise characteristics and assures high-speed image data readout to deliver super-high-resolution images.
The X-5 also features a state-of-the-art imaging engine. Supported by the latest Super Resolution technology, this engine offers outstanding image-processing performance to produce clear, high-quality images with well-defined details. In addition, its unique Handheld Night Scene shooting mode helps the photographer capture a blur-free night-time image by taking multiple images at once and synthesising them into a single composite picture.
3. Large, tilt-able LCD monitor
The X-5 comes equipped with a large 3.0-inch, high-definition LCD monitor with approximately 460,000 dots. Its tilt-able construction allows the photographer to tilt the monitor up and down and set it at an angle easiest for viewing. It also provides a clear view of images and menus displayed on the screen to assure a quick, effortless check of recorded images and swift, error-free setting changes.
4. Dual shake-reduction system to assure sharp, blur-free images.
The X-5’s dual shake reduction system couples the PENTAX-developed sensor-shift type SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism with a digital SR mode to more effectively compensate for annoying camera shake. This hybrid system ensures the photographer can capture sharp, blur-free images even when under demanding, camera-shake-prone shooting conditions, such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting with incident light only in poorly lit conditions, or photographing sunset scenes.
5. Electronic viewfinder with dioptre adjustment for clear view of the subject even under bright sunshine
The X-5 features an electronic viewfinder, which is useful when shooting a subject in harsh backlight or when the photographer needs a more solid hold of the camera. The dioptre adjustment mechanism ensures the user has the clearest view of both subject and viewfinder display, while minimising eye fatigue during extended shooting sessions.
6. Powered by easy-to-obtain AA batteries
The X-5 is powered by four AA-size batteries, ensuring that there is no worry about battery shortages even when on the road. Due to its power-efficient design, the X-5 can capture approximately 330 images* with a fresh set of alkaline batteries, eliminating the need for frequent battery changes, particularly in the middle of important shooting sessions.
* Measured under testing conditions conforming to the CIPA standards.
7. Full HD-standard movie recording for extended recording of high-quality movies
The X-5 features the Full HD movie recording function employing the H-264 recording format. The user can capture high-quality, extended movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels at a 16:9 aspect ratio) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. It also offers creative movie playback features, such as High-speed Movie mode** for slow-motion playback and Time-lapse Movie mode** for fast-forward playback. A micro-HDMI terminal (Type D) is also provided on the camera body for the output of recorded movies and sound to external devices.
** In these modes, the recorded size is fixed at VGA dimensions (640 x 480 pixels).
8. User-friendly Auto Picture mode for hands-off selection of the best shooting mode
The X-5 features the PENTAX-original Auto Picture mode, which automatically assesses the subject’s conditions and selects the most appropriate shooting mode from 16 distinctive shooting modes, including Landscape, Portrait, Candlelight and Pet. It even comes with the Auto Macro function, which automatically switches the focus mode to Macro when it detects the subject positioned a short distance away.
9. Quick-set mode dial for delay-free selection of a desired shooting mode
The X-5 enables the photographer to quickly and effortlessly select the desired shooting mode with a single turn of the mode dial, without having to access the on-screen menu. Users can select from a total of 10 modes including the hands-off Auto Picture, Scene, Program, Manual, Landscape and Handheld Night Snap.
10. Other features
I. Remote control operation using a PENTAX optional remote controller
II. High-speed burst shooting of up to 10 images per second, for a maximum of 30 images in a single sequence
III. 12 digital filters including Miniature and Toy Camera to add creative touches to captured images
IV. A range of creative image-processing tools including Stretch filter, Small Face filter and Collage function.
V. A choice of three aspect ratios (4:3, 16:9 and 1:1) to accommodate specific applications
VI. Image viewing, editing and filing software included: MediaImpression 3.5 for PENTAX (Windows version compatible with Windows 7) and MediaImpression 2.1 for PENTAX (Macintosh compatible with Mac OS X 10.7)
VII. Compatibility with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards
Optional accessory – O-CC129 camera case
Exclusively designed for the X-5, this camera case is made of a soft, elastic jersey material to protect the camera body and its LCD monitor from abrasion and scratch. Its exterior flat pocket is useful for storing small articles.