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Press Release

January 24, 2008

PENTAX K200D

A Popular-Class Digital SLR Camera Harmonizing High Image Quality and User-Friendly Features with Excellent Operability and Outstanding Cost Performance

A Popular-Class Digital SLR Camera Harmonizing High Image Quality and User-Friendly Features with Excellent Operability and Outstanding Cost Performance Assuring the Advanced Digital Camera Features of Higher-Class Models with Simplified Operations PENTAX K200D

PENTAX Corporation is pleased to introduce the PENTAX K200D lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera. Designed mainly for family users and digital camera beginners, this popular-class model offers a host of user-friendly features and sophisticated functions like higher-class models. As a result, even digital camera beginners can enjoy advanced digital SLR photography with great ease.
Pursuing image quality, user-friendliness, operability and cost performance, the K200D is expected to be a new standard-setter in the popular-class market.

♦ PENTAX K200D [ ⇒ Product Image ( JPEG ) ]
Major Features
PENTAX-original SR ( Shake Reduction ) mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
The K200D is equipped with the PENTAX-developed SR ( Shake Reduction ) mechanism, which effectively reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under demanding shooting conditions, such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark or at night without supplementary flash illumination, or using extended exposures for sunset scenes. This innovative mechanism shifts the position of the CCD image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the shifting speed in proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor. It offers an outstanding compensation effect, equivalent to approximately 2.5 to 4 shutter-speed steps. As a result, it does not require special anti-shake lenses, and can be used with almost all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses. *

* Lenses compatible with this mechanism are : the PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount lenses, screw-mount lenses ( with an adapter ); and 645- and 67-system lenses ( with an adapter ). Some functions may not be applicable with certain lenses.

High quality image
The K200D combines a large, high-performance 23.5mm x 15.7mm CCD image sensor with the sophisticated PRIME ( PENTAX Real Image Engine ) as its imaging engine. With its approximately 10.2 effective megapixels, the K200D produces beautiful, fine-detailed images with subtle gradations and texture descriptions. In addition, the K200D features Custom Image function that helps to create its intended images by allowing the users to select one of the six modes and adjusting the image's finishing touches to their presence.
Comprehensive Dust Removal system with prevention, removal and confirmation devices
The K200D features the user-friendly Dust Removal (DR) system to prevent dust from appearing in images. Applied to the CCD surface ( or low-pass filter ) through the vapor deposition of a fluorine compound, the PENTAX-original SP ( Super Protect ) coating effectively removes dust and stains from the surface. In the next step, dust that still remains on the surface will be shaken off when the SR system shifts the image sensor at high speed. Finally, the dust that is shaken off the image sensor will fall onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of it returning to the image sensor surface. This DR system even offers a new Dust Alert function, which allows the user to confirm the dust-adhesion status of the CCD in advance.
Dust-proof, water-resistant construction
The K200D boasts an extremely reliable dust-proof, water-resistant construction, with special seals applied to 60 different parts of the camera body, including the shutter release button and switches/levers/dials. This dependable body makes it possible to use the K200D in the rain or dusty locations without worries.
Auto sensitivity control up to ISO 1600
The K200D's auto sensitivity control function automatically sets the optimum sensitivity up to ISO 1600, based on such data as the subject's brightness level and the lens' focal length. Since this function allows the user to use faster shutter speeds in poor lighting situations ( such as indoor sports events and night scenes ), it helps the photographer to effectively reduce camera shake and prevent blurred images. For specialized applications, the sensitivity can be set manually from ISO 100 to ISO 1600.
High-precision 11-point wide-frame AF
The K200D's advanced SAFOX VIII autofocus system features 11 sensor points ( with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle ) to automatically focus on the subject with utmost precision, even when it is positioned off center. When the subject is captured in focus, the in-focus sensor point is automatically superimposed in red in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation.
Bright, clear viewfinder
Combining a lightweight penta-mirror prism with a PENTAX-original finder optics and the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen, the K200D's viewfinder delivers a large, bright image with an approximately 96-percent field of view and an approximately 0.85-times magnification.
Versatile Auto Picture mode
The PENTAX-developed Auto Picture mode automatically sets the most appropriate shooting mode ( such as Portrait, Landscape and Macro ) for a given subject or situation. Since the K200D not only sets an aperture and a shutter speed, but also adjusts white-balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness levels, the photographer can concentrate on image composition and shutter opportunity.
Large 2.7-inch wide-view LCD monitor
The K200D features a large 2.7-inch color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots on its back panel. The LCD's wide-view design allows the photographer to check the monitor image from approximately 160 degrees both vertically and horizontally. It even offers digital zooming of playback images up to 20 times for easy confirmation of focus.
Other features
  1. High-rigidity stainless-steel chassis
  2. Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications
  3. 22 custom functions to personalize camera operations
  4. Approximately 1100 images can be taken when using AA size lithium batteries due to its energy saving design
  5. Compatibility with conventional SD and large-capacity SDHC memory cards
  6. Simultaneous recording of RAW- and JPEG-format images
  7. RAW button for single-action image-file switching
  8. Eight digital filters for creative and artistic expressions
  9. In-body development of recorded RAW-format images
  10. Compatibility with SDM equipped lenses for quiet, extra-smooth autofocus operation
  11. PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3, RAW data processing software and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3, browser software, included on the accompanying CD-ROM
PENTAX K20D Specifications
Effective Pixels   approx.10.2 megapixels
Image Sensor Total pixels approx.10.75 megapixels
Type Interline interlace CCD with a primary color filter
Size 23.5mm x 15.7mm
Color Depth   8 bit (JPEG) or 12 bit (RAW)
Recorded Pixels   JPEG : [10M] 3872 x 2592 pixels, [6M] 3008 x 2000 pixels, [2M] 1824 x 1216 pixels
RAW : [10M] 3872 x 2592 pixels
Sensitivity (Standard output sensitivity)   Auto, Manual : 100 - 1600 ( 1EV steps or 1/2EV steps or 1/3EV steps )
Recording Formats   RAW¡Ê Original ), JPEG ( Conforms to Exif 2.21 ), Conforms to DCF ( Design rule of Camera File system ) 2.0
Image Formats   Compressed : JPEG - Baseline ( : Best, : Better, : Good ), RAW+JPEG : available
Compressed : RAW ( PEF )
Non compressed : RAW ( DNG )
Storage Media   SD, SDHC memory card
White Balance   Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy,Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light ( W, D, N ), Flash, Manual setting, with WB fine adjustment
Viewfinder Type Fixed molded penta-mirror type
Focusing screen Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen
Field of view approx. 96%
Magnification approx. 0.85X ( with 50mm F1.4 lens, infinity, -1m-1 )
Diopter adjustment approx. -2.5 - +1.5m-1
LCD Monitor Type TFT color LCD monitor , brightness adjustable, Wide angle view
Size 2.7 inch
Dots approx. 230,000 dots
Preview Method   Digital preview, Optical preview
Playback   One Image, Two Images, Index ( 4 or 9 or 16 thumb nails ), Enlargement ( up to 16X, scroll available ), Image Rotation, Folder view, Slideshow, Histogram, Bright/Dark area
Digital Filter B&W, Sepia, Color ( 18 type ), Soft ( three-level amount adjustable ), Illustration, HDR ( 3 type ), Slim ( +/- 8 level amount adjustable ), Brightness ( +/- 8 level amount adjustable ) ( at playback mode )
Focusing System Type TTL Phase-matching 11-point wide autofocus system ( SAFOX VIII )
Focus Mode AF-single (with focus lock); AF-continuous available *
Manual focus
Focus Point Auto, Select, Center
AF assist lamp available ( by Built-in Flash )
Image Stabilizer Type Image sensor shift mechanism , Max 4 stops
Dust Removal Type Image sensor moving mechanism and SP coating with Dust Alert
Exposure Control Metering System TTL open-aperture 16-segment metering ( coupled with lens and AF information )
Metering Mode (1) Multi-segment metering (2) Center-weighted metering (3) Spot metering
Exposure Range EV 0 - 21 ( at Standard Output Sensitivity 100 with 50mm F1.4 lens )
Modes (1) Auto Picture mode, (2) Picture mode, (3) Scene mode, (4) Program AE, (5) Sensitivity-Priority AE, (6) Shutter-Priority AE, (7) Aperture-Priority AE, (8) Metered Manual, (9) Bulb
Exposure Compensation ±2 EV ( 0.5EV steps or 0.3EV steps )
Auto-bracketing 3 frames within range of ±0.5EV, ±1.0EV, ±1.5EV ( 0.5EV steps ) or ±0.3EV, ±0.7EV, ±1.0EV ( 0.3EV steps )
AE Lock availiable
Shutter Shutter Type Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter
Shutter Speed 1/4000 - 30 sec. and bulb
Drive Modes   Single-frame, Continuous ( Hi, Lo ), Self-timer ( 12s, 2s ), Remote control ( 0s, 3s ), Auto bracket
Continuous shooting approx. 2.8fps, sequence : 4 frame ( JPEG and Continuous (Hi) ), 4 frame ( RAW )
approx. 1.1fps, sequence : until the memory card becomes full ( JPEG and Continuous (Lo) ), 4 frame ( RAW )
Built-in Flash Type Built-in retractable P-TTL auto pop-up flash
Guide number approx. 13 ( Standard Output Sensitivity 100/m )
Angle of view coverage 28mm wide-angle ( equivalent to 35mm )
Flash Synchronization   Hot shoe, sync-speed : 1/180 sec., P-TTL, high-speed-sync, wireless-sync with PENTAX dedicated flash
Data Folder Folder Name Date ( 100_MMDD··· ) / PENTX ( 100PENTX, 101PENTX··· ) ,
Power Sources   Four AA ( lithium, alkaline, and rechargeable Ni-MH ) batteries.
Optional AC adapter also available.
Battery Life Number of recordable images approx. 550 *1 ( lithium,50% use Flash ), approx. 1100 *2 ( lithium,Normal Recording )
Playback time approx. 700 minutes *2
Interfaces   USB2.0 ( HI-SPEED ) / Video, DC input, Cable switch
Lens Mount   PENTAX KAF2 bayonet mount
Usable Lens   PENTAX KAF2-, KA-mount lenses.

Power zoom function available. K-mount lenses usable with restrictions. S-mount lenses,67/645 lenses usable with adapter and with restrictions.

Dimensions   approx. 133.5(W) x 95(H) x 74(D)mm ( 5.2 x 3.7 x 2.9 inches )
Weight   approx. 630g ( 22.2 oz. ) without battery and SD memory card.
approx. 690g ( 24.3oz. ) loaded and ready with lithium battery and SD memory card
approx. 725g ( 25.6oz. ) loaded and ready with alkaline battery and SD memory card

* Recofding capacity shows approximate number of shots recorded during CIPA-compliant testing. Actual performance may vary depending on operating conditions.
* According to the result of PENTAX in-house testing.

Exclusive Optional Accessory
Battery Grip ( D-BG3 )
Developed for exclusive use with the PENTAX K200D, this battery grip can be used in combination with the camera's batteries to extend the battery life and capture a large number of images without battery changes. With an extra shutter-release button, preview lever and AE-lock button, it makes vertical-position shooting simple and effortless. It also features the same reliable dust-proof, water-resistant construction as the K200D camera body.
Battery Grip ( D-BG3 )
Battery Grip ( D-BG3 ) [ ⇒ Product Image ( JPEG ) ]
Other features
  1. High-rigidity stainless-steel chassis
  2. Power source : Four AA-size ( lithium, rechargeable Ni-MH, alkaline ) batteries
  3. Dimensions : 133.5 (W) x 32.5 (H) x 76.5 (D) mm ( excluding protrusions )
  4. Weight : 175g ( without batteries )

• PENTAX, and smc PENTAX are trademarks of PENTAX Corporation
• PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory, PENTAX PHOTO Browser, PENTAX REMOTE Assistant, and SDM are trademarks of PENTAX Corporation
• All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies
• Designs and specifications are subjects to change without notice

REMARKS : This information is current as of the date of publication. Note that information displayed may have already been changed without prior notice.
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