GOLDEN, CO (December 16, 2008)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced a limited edition, white PENTAX K2000 DSLR system with a double zoom kit.  This new model replicates the original K2000 design that launched in September 2008 for consumers who are ready to make the transition from a point-and-shoot digital camera to digital SLR photography.   The new camera body and both lenses* feature a brilliant white color with black trim.

The white PENTAX K2000 is an entry-level system consisting of the new PENTAX K2000 body, a white smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL lens, and a white smc PENTAX DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 AL lens.   Bundled as a complete kit for the convenience of the customer, the PENTAX K2000 system offers uncomplicated operation for new digital SLR users and family photographers seeking high-quality digital SLR photography for the first time.  Combining PENTAX-developed, easy-to-use Auto Picture modes as well as powerful learning functions all housed in one of the smallest, lightest camera bodies in its class, the PENTAX K2000 system is ideal for digital SLR beginners.  Additional features on the newest digital K2000 SLR body include a 10.2 megapixel CCD, a 2.7 inch, 230,000 dot high resolution, wide-view LCD panel, and an ultra compact design that facilitates one handed operation.  The body also features the same PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction technology found on more advanced K series digital SLRs. PENTAX Shake Reduction is compatible with more than 25 million PENTAX lenses to deliver sharp images even when handheld at slower shutter speeds.  The K2000 also features the powerful PENTAX-developed Auto Picture Mode, which selects from Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, and Night Portrait modes to tailor the camera settings for any photographic situation.  The camera also has a comprehensive Dust Removal system to help keep images spotless. A dedicated programmable help button clearly explains current camera settings to guide and teach the user about digital SLR photography.

The lenses included with this PENTAX K2000 system are the white versions of a newer series introduced with the DA L designation.  This DA L series offers the same optical performance and compatibility as the current smc PENTAX DA 18-55mm II and smc PENTAX DA 50-200mm lenses.   This stylish, limited edition white PENTAX K2000 kit will be available on a very limited basis in February  2009 at a price to be announced.

*Note: The white smc PENTAX  DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL and smc PENTAX DA L 50-200mm F4-5.6 lenses will only be available in the US as part of the white PENTAX K2000 Double Zoom Kit.  This new PENTAX digital SLR body will only be available under the white PENTAX K2000 product name in the US.  The same body will be available under the PENTAX K-m product name outside of the US.

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of digital SLR and compact cameras, lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces.  For almost 90 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses.  With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of Hoya Corporation.

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Pentax's limited edition white K2000 digital SLR, front and rear views. Photo provided by Pentax Imaging Co.

PENTAX K2000 Fact Sheet

Compact, lightweight body for enhanced portability and maneuverability
Despite the large image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm), the PENTAX K2000 offers a compact, lightweight body to assure remarkable portability and maneuverability.  The design incorporates a high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis, a more compact Shake Reduction mechanism and circuit boards, and the latest in high-density body component assembly to ensure efficient positioning and layout of various parts, including the repositioning of the battery compartment, to maximize ergonomics. The camera grip has also been redesigned for a firm, comfortable hold of the camera body.

Simplified ergonomics with dedicated Help button
The PENTAX K2000 features a newly designed control system that positions most of the buttons and dials on the camera’s grip side making it easier to operate the camera with one hand.  Additionally, a dedicated reprogrammable Help button displays camera functions on the camera’s LCD screen. This built-in user’s manual is ideal for those who are unfamiliar with digital SLR cameras.

PENTAX original Shake Reduction mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
The PENTAX K2000 comes equipped with the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) * mechanism to reduce camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under demanding shooting conditions - such as with telephoto lenses, in low light, at night without supplementary flash illumination and for extended exposures in sunset scenes. This innovative SR mechanism shifts the position of the image sensor vertically and horizontally at high speed using magnetic force, while adjusting the shifting speed in exact proportion to the amount of camera shake detected by a built-in sensor.  SR offers an outstanding compensation effect up to the equivalent of approximately four shutter steps. As a result, the body does not require special anti-shake lenses and may be used with almost all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses.

* Lenses compatible with this mechanism are: the PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2-, and KAF3-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be applicable with certain lenses.

Comprehensive Dust Detection and Removal system
The PENTAX K2000 features the user-friendly Dust Removal (DR)  system to prevent dust from appearing on images. Applied to the CCD image sensor low pass filter surface through the vapor deposition process of a fluorine compound, the PENTAX developed original SP (Super Protect) coating effectively prevents dust from sticking to the sensor.  For any stubborn dust that still remains on the surface, the SR system shifts the image sensor at high speed to shake off these particles. Finally, the dust that is shaken off the image sensor falls onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of it returning to the image sensor surface. This DR system also offers a Dust Alert function, which allows the user to detect any placement of dust on the sensor in advance of cleaning operations.

Auto Picture and creative Scene modes
The PENTAX-developed Auto Picture mode is programmed to automatically select the most appropriate shooting mode such as Portrait, Landscape, Action, Night Scene, Night Scene Portrait, and Macro for a given subject.  Since all camera settings, including aperture, shutter speed, white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness are then automatically adjusted by the camera for optimum results, users can concentrate on image composition rather than mode selection. For more unconventional subjects and environments, PENTAX also includes 10 creative scene modes. Combined, the K2000’s automatic modes offer users great flexibility as they explore digital SLR photography.

High-quality image
The PENTAX K2000 combines a large, 10.2 megapixel sensor with the sophisticated PENTAX Real IMage Engine (PRIME) as the imaging engine. This combination  produces beautiful,  detailed images with subtle gradations.  The K2000 also features a Custom Image function, which offers a choice of six processing presets to give photographers high quality image processing flexibility.

High-speed continuous shooting up to 3.5 frames per second
The PENTAX K2000 allows users to shoot images up to approximately 3.5 frames per second (in the JPEG recording format), allowing photographers to capture fast action sequences with ease.

High-precision 5-point AF system
The PENTAX K2000 incorporates a five-point, wide-area AF system (SAFOX with five cross-type sensors) for dependable, high-precision autofocusing. Using the five sensors positioned in a cross pattern over the image field, this system automatically selects the optimum focus sensor for a given subject. Additionally, Center Focusing allows the photographer to enable only the centermost focus sensor.   PENTAX engineers were also able to improve the focus speed under poor lighting conditions for improved autofocus performance overall.

Auto sensitivity control up to ISO 3200
The PENTAX K2000’s auto sensitivity control function automatically sets the optimum sensitivity between ISO 100 and ISO 3200, based on such data as the subject brightness level and lens focal length. Since this allows the user to take advantage of faster shutter speeds in poor lighting situations (such as indoor sports events and night scenes), it helps the photographer to effectively reduce blur due to camera shake and subject movement.

Enhanced Dynamic Range and Shadow Adjustment mode
The K2000’s  Enhanced Dynamic Range function allows the user to extend the dynamic range to prevent clipping in the highlight areas of the image. Additionally, Shadow Adjustment mode brings out detail in the darkest parts of the image. Combined, these functions help the user to produce beautiful, detailed images when shooting high-contrast subjects.

Large, easy-to-view 2.7 inch LCD monitor
The PENTAX K2000 features a large 2.7 inch color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots of resolution. This monitor’s wide-view design allows the photographer to check the on-screen image from approximately 160 degrees both vertically and horizontally and offers digital zooming of playback images up to 16X for easy confirmation of the image’s focus and subject details.

Bright, clear viewfinder
With a lightweight penta-mirror prism and the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, the PENTAX K2000’s viewfinder delivers a large, bright image with an approximately 96 percent field of view and approximately 0.85X magnification.

Digital filters for unique visual expressions
The PENTAX K2000’s built-in digital filters allow users to effortlessly add creative and artistic touches to recorded images without the use of a PC. Users may select one of 14 different digital filters including the new Toy Camera and Retro filters to create the desired visual effect.

Additional Features

• Energy-efficient power supply, recording approximately 1,650 images with four AA-size lithium batteries  (included)

• Status screen, displaying camera settings on the LCD monitor for at-a-glance confirmation

• Index function, for five different types of display and printing modes

• Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications

• Simultaneous recording of RAW and JPEG format images

• Compatibility with SD and SDHC memory cards

• In-body development of RAW images

• Compatibility with SDM autofocus lenses for quiet, smooth focus operation

• PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 RAW data processing software and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3 browser software included

PENTAX, and smc PENTAX are trademarks of HOYA CORPORATION.
PENTAX PHOTO Browser, PENTAX Laboratory, and SDM are trademarks of HOYA CORPORATION.
All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Designs and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Pentax's limited edition white K2000 digital SLR, top and right views. Photo provided by Pentax Imaging Co.