(K4) New Pentax products to be announced on September 9

According to Photorumors Pentax will launch the new K-5 and K-r cameras on September 9. There could be also a second announcement right before Photokina…maybe for the Pentax Evil camera?

(K3) First infos about the K-5 and K-r

OGL posted first info about the upcoming Pentax K-5 and K-r. Just a reminder: OGL is a very known pentaxforum user and he seems to have good rumor “sources”. There is a fair chance that those info are correct.

PENTAX K-5:
- 16 million pixels (SONY new sensor)
- ISO 25600
- 7 frames per sec
- ¥ 139,000 (too high price – $1625 )
- announcement on September 20
- Released in mid-October

PENTAX KR:
- 12 million pixels
- 6 frames per sec
- 10 color of body and 12 color grip, as the combination 120 colours
- 74,800 yen ($875)
- Released in mid-October

Pentax doesn’t keep it secret anymore…mirrorless camera coming!

Here you have the Pentax’s Reply to an inquiry about a Mirrorless Camera

“Thank you for contacting Pentax.
As mirror-less camera categories are showing strong growth, we too are examining the possibility of producing this type of camera. And if we are to release such products, we believe that the camera should be a unique and distinctive model.
At this point PENTAX does not have a fixed plan for the release schedule, specifications, or price information.

Sincerely,
Dorian B.
Operations Supervisor
Pentax Imaging Technical Support”

Source: pentaxforums

(K2) Pentax sales promoter says K-5, K-r and mirrorless are coming

If the rumor is true that Pentax sales promoter will probably get fired
He wrote following rumor on dpreview forum:

“I don’t have many details about any of them, but the source (my boss) is reliable. I’m working for Pentax Spain at the moment as a sales promoter.
What he told me:
-K-5 will be above K-7.
-K-r will use BOTH a lithium battery and standard AAs (brilliant!), and will cost 699€.
-EVIL will likely be APSC.
I hope it hasn’t been posted yet. “

(K4) Finally Hoya decided to make a Pentax mirrorless camera!!!

Hoya-Pentax is alive! According to Citigroup Global Markets Japan Inc Hoya plans to release a mirrorless camera that is “distinct” from other mirrorless cameras. Citigroup doesn’t give any further detail but this is an official document were they analyzed the Business conditions from Hoya.

Photokina is almost here, time to wake up Pentax folks!

(k3) Two new Pentax K models?

According to sources from Quesabesde Pentax is ready to launch two new K-models at Photokina. One model will be placed in between the K-x and the K-7. The other model would become the new Pentax model (above the K-7). The upper model will not be a Fullframe camera! K-rumors can’t confirm those rumors (for now)

(K3) Finally some Pentax rumors -> K7 Super, K5 and more to come

Rice High has done a wonderful job and catched a deleted post on pentaxforums. The “Mysterious” source wrote following Pentax roadmap:

Content: “Ive been lurking on here for many months but finally friend here has insisted that I sign up, I decided after following threads on the new Pentax camera talk I shall give info, until photokina its all not official or real.
No FF plans until 2012 as 645D is filling this, Pentax may review this decision Mid – 2011.
Three new models will be announced at Photokina.
1. K7 Super – a. Upgraded AF sensor 2. manual video with 720p60. 3. Same 14mp sensor with major improvements for noise and banding.
2. K5 – Will be model between k-x & k-7. K-x with focus points, top lcd, will replace k-x next year. K-x was a “testing the waters” model it was rushed and suprised everyone for good reason!
3. Pro Model this has finally been pushed towards productions thankyou to early success of 645D. I am salivating at this model.
a. Pentax have really listened to feedback and made big changes, DFS can go bye bye for real. b. body is based on the K7 but slightly larger c. intended to compete with nikon d300s d. aimed at sports and action photographers, AF algorithms have been optimized for high speed and action (canon helped here alot). Pentax have had their 2 prototypes at the world cup this year. e. x-sync 1/250 but possibly up to 1/500 if electronic shutter is properly debugged. f. No AF motor for screwdrive g. pentax testing with 2 sensors one from canon the other from sony, both are 18mp decision is resting on final costs of production, if use canon sensor video performance same as EOS7D. g. no inbody stabilization (big shock!) but is it a coincidence sigma is releasing so many OIS lenses for pentax? h. new range of Pro* pentax zoom lenses basically DA* + OIS they will be black with red look very sexy and standout. h. single SDHC slot but optional battery grip will give second SDHC

Thats all folks!” slow, pentax firmly against sdxc.

Pentax 645D availability and first preview

A first Pentax 645D Hands-On is available at Thephoblographer.com (But no image quality test yet).

Pentax 645D is coming to the US via Willoughbys. Pentax UK and Pentax Poland will sell it online. The Pentax 645D is coming also to Australia in August for around $12,000 Aus dollars. Source: Photorumors

First Pentax 645D review on DC.watch.impress and ePhotozine!

Finally we found many news about the Pentax 645D.
1) DCwatch tested the camera (click here to read the google english tranlsation)
2) Also ePhotozine posted a new review
3) Akihabaranews testedt the Pentax 645D
4) The 645D is officially available for preorder on Amazon Japan

Rumors and failures…

According to Canonrumors “Canon attempted to purchase Pentax. There’s a concern within Canon about Sony’s position in the DSLR market. They’re proving to be very committed in gaining marketshare. It was insinuated that Sony has interest in Pentax and its user base, whereas Canon doesn’t necessarily want the same thing.”

To make things “worser” Hoya Founder’s Grandson said that Pentax acquisition has been a “Failure”. (Bloomberg)

I personally don’t know what’s happening with Pentax. When I started k-rumors I thought that Pentax and Samsung would keep working as partners. I am not sure anymore the partnership will continue…