Pentax K-70 Enthusiast DSLR Launches

2016.06.09

Ricoh surprised everyone this morning with the launch of the Pentax K-70. It has been a slow year for digital cameras but that would be an understatement for Ricoh who managed to only introduce two new photography cameras, this one and the Pentax K-1 which has recently started shipping. They also added an action camera, the WG-M2. While trailing in numbers, Ricoh has been excelling at delivering exceptional capabilities and unique features at an unmatched price-point.

The Pentax K-70 is built around a new 24 megapixels APS-C CMOS sensor with Hybrid AF system, including a traditional 11-point SAFOX X Phase-Detect AF system and an unspecified number of Phase-Detect points built right into the sensor to speed up autofocus during Live-View and Video Capture. A sensor-shift image stabilization mechanism allows it to stabilize any lens and add several features unique to Pentax such as Anti-Alias Filter-Simulation, Automatic Horizon Correction and Pixel Shift which captures full color information and improved dynamic-range at every pixel.

By its characteristics alone, the Pentax K-70 is a professional DSLR. It offers a large 0.95X magnification viewfinder with 100% coverage in a body which is fully weatherproof and freezeproof down to -10C.Plus, it features dual control-dials, unique exposure modes, built-in HDR, AEB and 4K Time Lapse Video, in addition to filming full 1080p video. Enthusiasts will love that this camera is very light and compact for one with a 100% coverage OVF and dual control-dials. It has plenty of external controls, though fewer than typical professional cameras. Nicely this can help it look less intimidating and make is desirable for travel and street photography.

The Pentax K-70 is expected to fetch $649 USD. The availability of this DSLR with professional features at an entry-level price will be announced in July 2016.

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