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Pentax Announce New Lenses And Give More Details On Flagship APS-C DSLR

Pentax, in an online video presentation, has given more details on the flagship APS-C DSLR, plus information on a new 21mm Limited lens, a new 16-50mm f/2.8 lens, as well as giving an updated lens roadmap, showing two additional lenses.

Posted: 15/05/2020 - 08:58

Pentax Flagship APS-C DSLR

Pentax, in an online video presentation, has given further details about their flagship APS-C DSLR, as well as details on the new 85mm f/1.4 lens (officially announced in March), a new 21mm limited lens, and a 16-50mm f/2.8 lens. Originally planned to be showcased at the Ricoh Imaging booth at CP+ 2020, which was cancelled.

Here's a run-down of what was shown in the new video, which started with the previously announced HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mm f/1.4ED SDM AW.

HD PENTAX-D FA 21mm ED Limited (tentative name)

Pentax May 2020 21mm Limited Lens

The new HD Pentax-D FA 21mm Limited (tentative name) gas a completely different design compared to the previous Pentax 21mm Limited lens, and the new lens is designed for use with both APS-C and Full-Frame cameras. The lens features a built-in DC motor and is weather resistant.

HD PENTAX-DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED PLM AW (tentative name)

Pentax 16-50mm f/2.8 Lens

The 16-50mm f/2.8 lens is designed for APS-C cameras, and is weather sealed, and features a "pulse motor" and a redesigned optical construction, to give quiet operation. The lens is due to be launched in the first half of 2021. The lens updates the current 16-50mm f/2.8 lens, and is said to give improved image quality.

Pentax also said that whilst their focus currently is on FF, high-quality lenses, which are quite large, they plan on working on lower cost, more compact lenses in the future.

Flagship APS-C format K series DSLR

Pentax Flagship APS-C DSLR

Pentax, in the video below, talked about the camera's optical viewfinder, which is designed to be as good as a full-frame DSLR viewfinder, with a magnification of 1.05x giving a view as good as the K-1, and K-1 II. There is also an improved focus system, said to be as good as the K-1/K-1 II. There is an eye-sensor underneath the optical viewfinder, which will automatically dim the rear screen when the camera is held up to your eye. The viewfinder also protrudes further from the rear of the camera to help keep your nose away from the screen.

  • Large 1.05x magnification optical viewfinder
  • The camera design is said to follow the K-1 design style
  • Improved AF performance, with improved AF tracking
  • Improved drive control
  • New battery grip shown
  • Still planned for release by the end of 2020

Updated lens roadmap May 2020

There's also an updated lens roadmap, with two additional lenses in addition to the ones mentioned above:

  • Large Aperture Wide-angle Single Focus Lens (APS-C/FF)
  • Telephoto Zoom Lens (APS-C/FF)

Pentax May 2020 Lens Roadmap, future lenses

You can watch the video below, which is in Japanese, with subtitles.

 

 

Members photos with related tags: Pentax,K-1

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