Pentax K-m Official Announcement, and Hands-on Preview

[fengwei]

I didn't know it's that small! The K-m is not much smaller than my DS. But with latest features and lighter. Decision time.

*istDs: 125 x 93 x 66 mm, 605g w/ batteries
K-m : 122.5 x 91.5 x 67.5mm, 625g w/ batteries and SD card

By numbers the K-m is only slight shorter and thicker, probably due to in-body Shake Reduction. But by looking at the shape of these two cameras, I think the K-m would feel quite a bit smaller than the Ds, the difference would be bigger than the numbers suggest:

 

[art2d2]

I just hope the grip is better than last time the C 350D / 400D. It can get uncomfortable if using it for a long period of time. Need to feel it first.. where is Kevin ? hehe.;p

 

[creampuff]

The K-m might well be a winner for it's cute dimensions and likely affordable price.
Quite tempting... will wait to see it in real life.

This camera will definitely push the second-hand price of the K100D, K100D Super, K10D and K200D down when it reaches our shores as it will be the cheapest 10 megapixel camera in Pentax's line-up of cameras.

 

[alanswan]

Gosh! It looks tiny in that guy's hand.
But that guy might be really big size too.
I mean afterall, the lens that looked like a thimble in the pic has a K-mount right?
It has a 52mm filter thread some more... Not even 49mm....

 

[watchthewaves]

Decided to look up the width and height of some P&Ss for comparison.

ixus 860: 92.6 x 58.8mm

Lumix DMC-LX3: 108.7 x 59.5mm

K-m: 122.5 x 91.5mm

So its about 3 cm wider than the ixus and 1.5cm wider than the LX3,
and just over 3cm higher than the both of them.

So looking from the front, it would appear quite small I suppose. Well, let's wait to see it in real life.

 

[le petit prince]

wow! It's a beaut!

I might actually 'upgrade' from my current model

Makes sense, with my frequent backpacking (off to Laos for next week and a half), my liking for primes (and a ultra-compact package) and my liking for small, smaller and smallest.

Can't wait! Xmas gift for myself maybe?

 

[airconvent]

airconvent, DSLRs don't function like PnS compact cameras, so the video mode you mention is not accurate. The article here gives a simple explanation of the difference.
http://digiichi.pentax.jp/english/tech/vol_04.html

I for one don't think having video or LV needs to be an essential feature. In fact you would get better quality using a dedicated video cam plus it avoids the heat build-up issues of camera's sensor.

Hi Dennis
I don't think we should dismiss this feature just yet. I used to think "face detection" was not important too but it seems to be a predominant feature now. Look at all those websites these days using video. There is certainly scope here for a video mode although not all people may want the option. The electronics technology are all there. Its only the packaging. What is needed is an additional internal prism to divert light from the view finder to a smaller sensor for continuous video stream. What is a novelty can become the norm in the future.

Already some manufacturers are already following in the Nikon D90 footstep. Can Pentax afford not to follow suit also? I mean all the techies knows that too many megapixels on a tiny ccd is a bad idea but new models continue to push them up because that is market pressure working. Some PnS has more pixels than my K200D! :sweat: That doesn't mean their images will be better, just that it can attract more of the typical buyers.

Of course, I don't think image-only cameras will fade away but that in future, there will probably both image-only models for purists and all-in-one for all-rounders.

 

[le petit prince]

Mmm. Just for your interest.

Someone at pentaxforums.com said:

"I was at the Photokina and had the chance to try the K-m out. I've just played around with it a bit, nothing scientific. Coming from a K20D, I liked its size and weight! It is pretty fast, the AF is one of the fastest I have seen from Pentax. No hunting or double-check, just a quick and firm AF lock. Perfect! I also like its responsiveness (my main gripe with the K100D Super which I also had before I replaced it with a K10D). While not a Sports photographer's camera, the camera was immediately ready after a shot."

This addresses some of the K100DS' flaws which I agree with, having owned one all this while.. reviewing shots is a pain. And of cos, the infamous slow AF.

Wonder how many of K100D and K100DS and lower people here will consider K-m instead of the higher-end models. I know I am seriously leaning towards K-m.

 

[fengwei]

K-m in new outfit

This looks really ugly! How to you think?

 

[felixcat8888]

Looks like a dead Croc

but i am now really interested and might get it as a 2nd body and couple it with my 18-55mm I Lens

 

[creampuff]

That's looks like one grippy camera. Nice out of the box thinking.
Actually it doesn't look so bad.

 

[istDeS]

the camera from another angle of view..

 

[woonsin]

K-m in new outfit

This looks really ugly! How to you think?

How to use this kind of design when take photos??? Look like it is only for display. :think:

 

[ishou80]

ah lian might like it...haha

 

[jlpk007]

look very compact..and a dslr..when is it coming out...planning to get one for my trip

 

[ardnirun]

pardon my ignorance...can it fit every lens in the Pentax inventory no??like the ones that can fit on the k200d

 

[istDeS]

pardon my ignorance...can it fit every lens in the Pentax inventory no??like the ones that can fit on the k200d

Yes. This is one of the strength of Pentax.

 

[jlpk007]

Yes. This is one of the strength of Pentax.

may i ask when is the release date for this camera??
Thank You

 

[cichlid]

What is the widest pancake lens that can make this a super portable combo?

 

[creampuff]

cichlid, the Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 is the widest pancake lens currently available, at least until the newly announced and slightly bigger DA 15mm f/4 hits the shops.