While Pentax has been busy readying its first digital-design medium format camera, it has been relatively quiet on the DSLR front – until now. Two new models have been announced, the K-r and a new top-of-the-range model, the K-5.

The latter, built using the Pentax K-7 as its base, features a 23.7x15.7mm 16-megapixel CMOS sensor. Its sensitivity ranges from ISO 80 to 51,200, it has a burst rate of 7fps up to 22 images in a single sequence, and it uses the SAFOX IX+ autofocus system with 11 sensor points and with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle.

The K-5 has a pentaprism viewfinder with 100% field of view at 0.92x manification. It has a top shutter speed of 1/8000s, sports a shake-reduction mechanism, which compensates the effect of camera shake by 2.5-4 shutter stops, and offers a live view shooting mode. It is also the latest DSLR to offer full HD 1080p video shooting at 25fps, and is housed in a tough magnesium-alloy body, with 77 special seals to protect it against dust and moisture.

It retails at £1200 with the 18-55mm WR lens, or £1300 in a double-lens kit with the 50-200mm WR model. It can also be purchased for £1700 with the 18-135mm lens.

Pentax has also introduced, two weeks ago, the K-r, which sits in between the entry-level K-x and the more advanced K-7 camera, which remains on sale. It sports a 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor, which is complemented by Pentax’ Prime II imaging sensor. It can shoot up to 6fps with a maximum of 25 images in JPEG in a single sequence.

The new DSLR also features the Safox IX autofocus system with 11 sensor points, has a three-inch LCD screen, and can be powered with either a standard rechargeable lithium-ion battery or four AA batteries. The K-r can also record movies in 720p high-definition at 25fps.

The K-r will retail from October at £600 with a 18-55mm lens, or at £700 in a double-lens kit featuring a 50-200mm lens.

www.pentax.co.uk