Pixiq

Phew! I can scarcely keep up with Pentax today. They’ve just released details of one dSLR, two compact cameras, and a new prime lens. They’re not being more forthcoming than sales dates of ‘October 2010′ for the UK market, but shall we start with the dSLR?

The K-r is definitely a camera that Pentax have brought out with those moving from compact to dSLR in mind. It has a 12.4 megapixel sensor, an ISO range of 100 – 12,800 that can be extended to 25,600, can shoot HD movies, has a continuous shooting speed of six frames per second, and comes with a range of filters so that you can make your pictures look as if you took them with a toy camera, or in monochrome, or a bit retro.

Pentax K-r with the new DA 35mm

Interestingly, it can be powered by either a rechargeable lithium-ion battery or four AA batteries if you get the adapter. And if you want a red camera, this is the one for you; it comes in black, red, or white. It comes with an 18-55mm DAL lens for £599.99.

Next up is the Optio RZ10, with its 10x zoom lens that does 28mm wide-angle to 280mm telephoto as well as having a macro setting that’ll get you as close as 1cm. And to make sure that whoever is shooting gets the image that they want, it has an auto-picture selection mode that even includes a pet mode and automatic face detection.

The optio RZ10, pretty in purple

It has a 14 megapixel sensor, the requisite range of filters, and HD movie capability. I quite like it in violet, but you could choose from lime green, white, black, or orange. It’ll set you back £179.99

The Option RS1000 has been nicknamed the Chameleon. It takes pictures, yes, but at Pentax they have recognised how much cameras are regarded as fashion accessories for some people. You can, therefore, customise the RS1000 by inserting a template into the transparent front panel. Wherever you are and whatever you’re wearing, you’ll have a camera to match.

Match your camera to your outfit?

If you want to know the camera’s specs, it’s a 14 megapixel sensor, comes with auto picture mode and benefits from automatic face detection. There’s an HD video mode and nine filters for playing with your pictures. £119.99 is its recommended retail price.

Finally, we get to the SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL. This seems to be the lens that Pentax would like people to think of as its go-to lens, recommending it for interchangeable lens beginners and noting how its perspective is similar to the naked eye. Weighing about 124g, it won’t weigh-down your kit bag, but it’ll take around £179.99 out of your bank account.

Pentax's 35mm prime

You can of course find out much more about anything that piques your curiosity on the Pentax website.