HD PENTAX-DA 21mmF3.2AL Limited
Aperture: F8.0 ; Shutter speed: 1/640 sec. ; Exposure compensation: 0.0EV ; ISO sensitivity: 400 ; White balance: Auto ; Custom image: Natural
Thanks to a nearly 100-percent field of view, the PENTAX KP’s viewfinder provides an image field almost identical in size to that of the captured image. The optical design provides a real-time view of the subject, while its glass pentaprism delivers a large, well-defined image field at approximately 0.95-times magnification (with a 50mm F1.4 lens set at infinity). The Natural Bright Matte III focusing screen makes it easy to identify the in-focus point even during manual-focus operation. This standard focusing screen is replaceable with optional screens to accommodate specialized applications.
The PENTAX KP’s LCD monitor features a versatile tilt mechanism, which you can position at any desired angle for effortless, fatigue-free shooting in high- and low-angle photography. In addition to Air Gapless structure used to minimize internal reflections, its tempered-glass cover assures excellent visibility even in sunny outdoor locations, while effectively protecting it from scratches.
In the Live View mode, the PENTAX KP provides a wide range of convenient image-capture functions, including Grid Display, Digital Level, and Extract Edge to facilitate manual-focus operation. It also has a switching lever for still-image, Live View and movie shooting. By setting the lever to the LV position, you can quickly activate the camera in the Live View standby mode.
• AF modes: Face Detection, Tracking, Multiple AF Points, Select and Spot
• Focus Assist modes: Highlight Edge and Extract Edge 
• Grip Display: a choice of five patterns and two colors (white or black)
• Magnified view: a maximum magnification of 16 times
• Digital Level display: two bar scales indicating horizontal and vertical tilt
Normal Monitor Display
Extract Edge
The PENTAX KP incorporates the high-performance SAFOX 11 AF sensor module in its autofocus system. This dependable module features a diffraction lens to effectively compensate for chromatic aberration and assure pinpoint focus on the subject, even under adverse conditions such as when shooting against backlight or photographing high-contrast subjects.
This latest autofocus algorithm assures a faster autofocusing speed than the one used in the conventional SAFOX 11 module. It lets you react more swiftly and effortlessly to unexpected shutter chances.
Featuring 27 sensor points across the image field, the PENTAX KP’s sophisticated AF system not only captures the subject in sharp focus, but also automatically refocuses on a moving subject when it moves away from the initial point, with the help of neighboring points. Of the 27 points, 25 cross-type sensors are positioned in the middle to assure high-precision autofocus operation for all types of subjects.
Three center sensors — one in the middle and two others positioned above and below it — are designed to detect the luminance flux of an F2.8 lens for high-precision autofocusing. When using a very fast lens with a maximum aperture of larger than F2.8, these sensors assure focusing accuracy better than that of other sensors (designed for a F5.6 luminance flux).
The PENTAX KP lets you select the AF area and set it to the desired position in the image field, based on your application or subject. It provides a choice of AF modes: Auto (27 points), Zone Select (nine points), Select (a randomly selected single point), or Spot (the center point). It also features a select-area expansion mode to assist in the shooting of moving subjects.
This mode lets you select a set of nine points forming a square zone, which then can be shifted to the desired position by moving the center point. It detects a subject located within this zone, captures it in pinpoint focus, and even tracks its movement — all automatically.
When you select one of the 27 sensor points, this function captures the subject in sharp focus using that point, with the help of the PENTAX Real-time Scene Analysis System. When the subject moves away, this system automatically tracks that movement and refocuses on the subject with the help of neighboring points.* It provides a choice of expansion area from eight, 24 or 26 points.
* This function is available when the camera’s AF mode is set to AF.C (Continuous AF) or AF.A (Auto Select AF).
Working with the PENTAX Real-time Scene Analysis System, this function accurately detects the subject’s motion based on various factors including color and speed, then keeps pinpoint focus on the subject throughout the imaging process by automatically shifting the in-focus point.*
* This function is available when the camera’s AF mode is set to AF.C (Continuous AF) or AF.A (Auto Select AF).
Working with the PRIME IV imaging engine and the approximately 86,000-pixel RGB light-metering sensor, this system features an advanced image detection algorithm developed by adopting a breakthrough artificial intelligence technology called deep learning. Based on factors such as brightness distribution in the image field and the subject’s shape, color and motion, it performs in-depth analysis of each individual scene, and selects the most appropriate finishing touch for a given scene or subject. It also works in tandem with other functions to optimize the accuracy and performance of the camera’s auto-exposure and autofocus systems.
The PENTAX KP features an RGB light-metering sensor with approximately 86,000 pixels, which can detect the subject’s shape, color and motion with great accuracy to obtain a large volume of image data, then feed it to the PENTAX Real-time Scene Analysis System for extra-accurate scene assessment.
Supported by the PENTAX Real-time Scene Analysis System, this mode automatically optimizes exposure settings, then selects the most appropriate finishing touch for each subject. When using the optical viewfinder, the system is assisted by an algorithm developed through the use of deep learning artificial intelligence technology to perform more complete scene assessment. Simply by setting the camera’s mode dial to AUTO (Scene Analyze AUTO), you are assured of the best finishing touch for each image.
In addition to the conventional Av (Aperture-priority) and Tv (Shutter-priority) modes, the PENTAX KP provides PENTAX-original auto-exposure modes that let you express the subject’s motion and the depth of field in the way you want. By setting the Smart Function to the ISO mode, you can flexibly control three primary exposure parameters — aperture, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity – using the front and rear e-dials and the setting dial.
This mode lets you set the desired aperture and/or shutter speed using the e-dials, while retaining the proper exposure level. This eliminates the need for switching the mode dial to the Tv or Av position to achieve the desired visual effect, such as the rendering of subject motion or the depth of field.
After setting the proper exposure level with a push of the green button, you can adjust the exposure to the desired level using the e-dials. This is a much faster and easier way to obtain the desired exposure than manually setting each exposure parameter while checking the exposure bar scale. By activating the AE-lock function, you can even shift aperture and/or shutter-speed settings while retaining the initial exposure level.
* Using AE-lock function together, you can even shift aperture and/or shutter-speed settings while retaining the exposure level of that time.
The camera automatically selects a combination of aperture and shutter speed settings to obtain the proper exposure level, in relation to the user-selected ISO sensitivity.
The camera automatically selects the ISO sensitivity to obtain the proper exposure level, in relation to the user-selected aperture and shutter speed settings.
This mode allows you to set any desired exposure duration. It also provides a Bulb Timer function to set the desired exposure time from 10 seconds to 20 minutes. This adds versatility and flexibility to bulb shooting.
With a choice of the slowest shutter speed
In the ISO AUTO mode, you can choose the upper and lower limits of the sensitivity range. It also allows single-action setting of the slowest shutter speed, allowing you to make more minute sensitivity adjustment for difficult scenes that would be prone to camera or subject shake.
Since the PENTAX KP provides an extra-wide exposure compensation range of ±5EV (in still-image shooting),* it allows you to capture extremely high- and low-key images without resorting to the manual exposure mode. It also comes in handy when capturing visual materials to compose an image with an HDR (High Dynamic Range) process, because its wide compensation range is very useful for shifting the exposure level of high-contrast scenes.
* When setting an exposure compensation range in the camera’s HDR mode, the maximum compensation range becomes ±3EV.
These new functions allow you to capture three different images of the same scene or subject with a single shutter release, without affecting the overall exposure level. Since they don’t require time-consuming manual operation to shift exposure settings, you can concentrate on a shutter chance and image composition.
This function continuously captures three images with different depths of field by automatically raising or lowering the aperture setting in steps.
Aperture：F1.8, Shutter speed：1/5000sec,
Aperture：F5.0 Shutter speed：1/640sec,
Aperture：F14 Shutter speed：1/125sec,This function continuously captures three images with different expressions of motion by automatically raising or lowering the shutter speed in steps.
Aperture：F10, Shutter speed：1/4sec,
Aperture：F4.5, Shutter speed：1/30sec,
Aperture：F4.5, Shutter speed：1/250sec,
Ideal for shooting in quiet locations, and for creating beautiful bokeh effects in sunlight scenes
The PENTAX KP provides a choice of mechanical and electronic shutter modes. In the electronic shutter mode,* the shutter unit produces very little noise and vibration during shutter-curtain operation, making it ideal for shooting in locations where silence is required. This mode also provides a top shutter speed of 1/24000 second, making it handy when you want to use an open aperture in bright, sunny locations. In Live View or mirror lock-up shooting, it provides even quieter, lower-vibration operation.
* The electronic shutter mode can be used with continuous shooting, bracketing, mirror lock-up, and multiple exposure functions. When the PENTAX Pixel Shift Resolution System is engaged, the camera’s shutter mode is locked to electronic shutter.
* In the electronic shutter mode, the SR II mechanism and the AA-filter simulator are inoperable.
* When shooting a fast-moving subject in the electronic shutter mode, the subject may appear to be distorted.
smcPENTAX DA★55mmF1.4
Aperture: F1.6 ; Shutter speed: 1/24000 sec. ; ISO sensitivity: 100
The PENTAX KP provides high-speed continuous shooting at a top speed of approximately seven images per second. It also lets you choose a speed of approximately 0.8 or three images per second, allowing you to select the speed that best suits the movement of your subject.
The PENTAX KP features a built-in flash unit with a guide number of approximately six (at ISO 100/m). Using this flash unit or a dedicated accessory flash unit* mounted on the camera’s hot shoe as a controller, you can control the timing of flash discharge and adjust the illumination level from a distance. This simplifies complicated flash applications such as a multi-flash setup, while creating a true-to-life sense of depth and well-defined shadows.
* Compatible flash units: AF540FGZ, AF540FGZ II, AF360FGZ, and AF360FGZ II
By connecting the PENTAX KP via USB to a personal computer equipped with the IMAGE Transmitter 2 tethering software, you can adjust the camera’s exposure settings, release its shutter while observing a Live View image, and confirm captured images on your computer. You can even program the system to automatically transmit captured images to your computer and save them in its storage for time-efficient operation.
* For proper use with the PENTAX KP, the software must be upgraded to the latest version.
