Asian alliance on class-beating digital SLR
The continued partnership between Pentax and Samsung has resulted in a new flagship DSLR, boasting a best-in-class resolution. Simon Bainbridge has the details, along with exclusive comments on how Pentax is bearing up to life under Hoya
Pentax today unveiled its latest top-range digital SLR, sporting a 14.6 million pixel resolution sensor developed by Samsung, who will sell the camera separately under its own name.
The two have been collaborating since signing a joint development agreement in autumn 2005 – Pentax concentrating on camera and lens technology, while Samsung works on sensors and image engines. The K20D, as Pentax has branded it, benefits from Samsung’s expertise in semiconducter technology, resulting in what can today claim to be the highest resolution sensor in a ‘semi-professional’ camera. That may change when further new cameras are announced at the PMA trade show in Las Vegas next week, but for now both companies can claim a lead on their competitors – cementing Pentax’ position as the third-best selling DSLR maker in many of the world’s major territories, and Samsung’s arrival as a serious newcomer.
Pentax pre-announced the camera to the European press in Dubai earlier this month, slapping a 24 January embargo on the news. The event marked the brand’s ‘rebirth’, according to Hiroshi Onada, general manager of imaging systems for Pentax Europe, who admitted that a lack of communication about its acquisition by Hoya (BJP, 06 June 2007) has led to confusion and torrid speculation about its future. Despite this, Pentax has carved a solid niche, and hopes to achieve 15% of total DSLR sales by the end of 2009.
Samsung will sell the camera under the name of the GX-20. There is little difference between the two models, other than their menu systems, image processing algorithms, and the fact that Pentax offers its own .PEF raw standard, in addition to Adobe’s .DNG, as used by the GX-20. However, Samsung will offer it at a substantial discount – up to £300 less when coupled with a new 18-55mm kit lens.
Low noise
The CMOS sensor in both cameras is claimed to deliver better noise performance than predecessor models, the K10D/GX-10, thanks in part to the fact that each photo diode occupies 40% of the pixel space, as opposed to the standard 30-35%. Additionally, noise suppression begins before the analogue-to-digital conversion process. The ISO range has been extended to 100-6400, while the dynamic range is enlarged by one stop, ‘so you now have an additional 2EV to play with’, says Pentax, and ‘improved details in bright and shaded areas’. Additional sensor features include automatic pixel mapping and the inclusion of a protective dust shield, using a special coating on the camera’s low pass filter that attracts particles, then shakes off any remaining dust using a vibration system.
Additional JPEG compression levels have also been added, which can be captured simultaneously as raw files using Adobe’s DNG format – or in the case of the K20D, they can also be captured in Pentax’ PEF mode. Five colour profiles are provided, along with one for black-and-white capture, each of which can be manually adjusted – before or after capture.
The camera has an 11-point autofocus system featuring nine cross-sensors. An ‘AF Adjustment’ mode allows the focal point to ‘be uniquely optimised for each lens’, so that ‘front or back focusing problems are now a thing of the past’, says Pentax. Four metering modes are offered, and there’s a depth-of-field preview button. Wireless flash control and an X-sync for studio use are also provided.
Like its predecessor (the K10D/GX-10), the new camera is water and dust protected with dozens of seals, and has a metal chassis with a rubberised skin. It uses a pentaprism viewfinder that offers a 95% field of view, and a focusing screen that can be swapped in for different types. A 2.7 inch rear screen allows thumbnail views and the 32x magnification of images, and offers additional resolution useful for Live View capture. The screen has a 160° viewing angle, and its ‘LCD Color Tuning’ can be varied through 49 steps. In review mode, a histogram is provided for each colour channel.
Entry level
Pentax also announced the arrival of a new entry-level successor to its K100D digital SLR.
The K200D has a larger resolution CCD sensor, delivering 10.2 million pixels. It features similar shake-reduction and AF features to the K20D, has the same monitor, and likewise accepts SD and SDHC memory cards. The ISO range is limited to 100-1600.
It will be priced £580 with an 18-55mm zoom, and is designed ‘to have the features of the K10D, but the ease of use of the K100D’.
Pentax will also introduce five additional lenses to its DA range, including two fast aperture telephotos.
The 200mm f/2.8 and 300mm f/4 optics include ED glass and aspherical lens elements, and are claimed to offer ‘consistent edge-to-edge sharpness and a particularly clear rendition of fine details’. Both are weather and dust proof, have built in ultrasonic motors, an ‘SP’ fluoride coating, and use a ‘quick shift focus system’ that allows precision manual focus in AF mode.
They are priced £800 and £900 respectively, and are joined by a 35mm f/2.8 Macro standard prime, priced £300, and two compact zooms – the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II kit lens, priced £100, and the 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED, priced £260.
Like the cameras, they are expected to arrive in March. Visit www.pentax.co.uk and www.samsungcamera.co.uk for further information.
Take over
And what of Pentax’ digital medium format camera? Publicly, Onada re-iterated the line Pentax has been peddling since news of Hoya’s proposed ‘merger’ first broke in 2005 – that ‘it’s too early to say’. He said that the company had been concentrating on ‘core business’, which apparently means medium format is on the back-burner.
However, in an interview with BJP, Onada revealed just how close Pentax had come to launching the 645 AFD. ‘Before the Hoya deal went through we were actually quite ready. We were very much prepared for a launch. But one of the key issues was with distribution. You need huge resources to launch across many countries.’
He was equally reluctant to say when Pentax might introduce a pro-level DSLR, saying it didn’t have the ‘resources or the desire’ to compete with Canon and Nikon at this point. However, he did say that Pentax’ eventual ambition is to have three levels of camera, with one a higher-end model.
The same applies to high-end lenses. ‘Once we have enough resources, we can concentrate on development,’ says Onada. ‘I thought Hoya might invest separately, but no one is going to give you money for no reason. Hoya is unique in that’s it is extremely profitable. But there’s a reason for that. Working with them these past months, I have learnt that they never lose money – and that’s a very strong philosophy. In the past, management would often say, “If you have the guts and commitment, go and do it”. Hoya takes a longer view.’
