Pentax User Guide To All Pentax DSLRs

Pentax User guide to Pentax DSLRs, from the oldest to the newest, including the HP-Pentax, and Samsung alliance.

Posted: 06/05/2011 - 09:12

Here's a handy guide to Pentax Digital SLRs... from the first real Pentax Digital SLR, the Pentax *ist D released in 2003, all the way up to the most current Pentax K-5. Click the name of the model to find out more about the camera.

Here's the facts, and below you'll find some of the highlights...

Model	Year	MP	Fps	LCD	-ISO	+ISO	Mem	IS	Ratio	Focus Points	Power	Video	Sensor	Weather
K-5	2010	16.3	7	3.0	100	12800	SDXC	Y	3:2	11	Lith-Ion	1080p	CMOS	Y
K-r	2010	12.4	6	3.0	200	12800	SDHC	Y	3:2	11	Lith-Ion	720p	CMOS	N
645D	2010	40	1.1	3.0	200	6400	SDHC	Y	4:3	11	Lith-Ion	N	CCD	Y
K-x	2009	12.4	4.7	2.7	200	12800	SDHC	Y	3:2	11	AA	720p	CMOS	N
K-7	2009	14.6	5.2	3.0	100	6400	SDHC*	Y	3:2	11	Lith-Ion	720p	CMOS	Y
K-m	2008	10.2	3.5	2.7	100	3200	SDHC	Y	3:2	5	AA	N	CCD	N
K200D	2008	10.2	2.8	2.7	100	3200	SDHC	Y	3:2	11	AA	N	CCD	Y
K20D	2008	14.6	3	2.7	100	3200	SDHC	Y	3:2	11	Lith-Ion	N	CMOS	Y
K100D Super	2007	6.1	2.8	2.5	200	3200	SDHC	Y	3:2	11	AA	N	CCD	N
K10D	2006	10	3	2.5	100	1600	SDHC	Y	3:2	11	Lith-Ion	N	CCD	Y
K100D	2006	6.1	2.8	2.5	200	3200	SD	Y	3:2	11	AA	N	CCD	N
K110D	2006	6.1	2.8	2.5	200	3200	SD	N	3:2	11	AA	N	CCD	N
*ist DL2	2006	6.1	2.8	2.5	200	3200	SD	N	3:2	5	AA	N	CCD	N
*ist DS2	2005	6.1	2.8	2.5	200	3200	SD	N	3:2	11	AA	N	CCD	N
*ist DL	2005	6.1	2.8	2.5	200	3200	SD	N	3:2	3	AA	N	CCD	N
*ist DS	2004	6.1	2.8	2.0	200	3200	SD	N	3:2	11	AA	N	CCD	N
*ist D	2003	6.1	2.7	1.8	200	3200	CF	N	3:2	11	AA	N	CCD	N
EI-2000	2000	1.9	3	2	25	400	CF	N	4:3	N/A	AA	N	CCD	N

* Firmware 1.11 for the K-7 extended support to SDXC cards, although ultra high speed (UHS) transfer rates are not supported.

Here's some of the highlights and history of the range:

The Pentax K100D was the first to feature built in body based image stabilisation: SR: Shake Reduction.
The Pentax K10D was the first weather sealed body available, first with more than 6.1 megapixels, first with SDHC support, and first with dust removal.
The Pentax K20D was the first to feature a CMOS sensor, with 14.6 megapixel sensor.
The K-7 was the first with ISO upto 6400, and the first to include 720p Video recording.
The K-x the first with ISO upto 12800.
The K-5 was the first Pentax DSLR to support SDXC memory cards, and full HD 1080p video.

Medium Format:
And of course, the Pentax 645D is the first medium format SLR from Pentax, or in fact, any of the main camera companies (excluding of course Hasselblad, Phase One, etc), and features a 40 megapixel sensor, weather sealing and 4:3 aspect ratio.

Earliest model?
The Pentax EI-2000 was a joint venture between HP and Pentax to produce a Digital SLR, although it featured a split mirror, and a non-changeable 3x optical zoom lens. The first real Digital SLR from Pentax is the *ist D released in 2003.

Samsung / Pentax Partnership:
Speaking of joint ventures, this guide to Pentax Digital SLRs wouldn't be complete if we didn't mention the Samsung partnership where Samsung also released Pentax cameras under the Samsung name:

Samsung GX-1L = Pentax *ist DL2
Samsung GX-1S = Pentax *ist DS2
Samsung GX-10 = Pentax K10D
Samsung GX-20 = Pentax K20D

If you think there are any key features that are missing from the table, or have a favourite camera from the range, then please leave a comment.