This is not an official headline but that is what it seems like after the released a white version of their very-entry-level DSLR, the Pentax K2000D. Already the K2000D – in black or white – is a departure from Pentax’ previous strategy for DSLR cameras. Until the K2000D, as one of the smaller camera makers, Pentax provided more feature-rich cameras than similarly priced competitors. The height of this was the K200D which sells for under $600 and features a weather-sealed body. The K200D is a tiny DSLR with a stabilized 10 megapixels sensor, a 2.7″ LCD and 5-point autofocus system. The only exceptional feature of the K2000D is its battery-life up to 1650 shots using 4 AAs. Among their higher-end models, Pentax has the best viewfinders for several years. When the Nikon D300 and Olympus E-3 came out just a few months apart, they made 100% coverage viewfinders much more affordable. Pentax has yet to follow.
Hopefully Pentaxians will see a K30D and K300D before the end of the year. These two models could bring new features which are not really needed by anyone – as the K200D and K20D are fantastic cameras already – to appease marketing requirements and improve product perception. Seriously though, there are probably ways DSLR companies, including Pentax, could innovate with useful features as well. I would really not be displeased if Pentax came out with identical-bodies cameras similar to the K20D but with different sensors: one keep-up-with-the-megapixels model and an ultra-high-ISO cropped sensor DSLR with low megapixels count, say ISO 25600 at 6 megapixels. Another problem to tackle would be dynamic range, at least to give a competitor to the Fuji Finepix S5 Pro.
More waterproof and rugged digital cameras make their appearance. Olympus now has competition for its Stylus Tough range. Although they are still unmatched in terms of ruggedness, Canon and Fuji have introduced the Powershot D10 and Z33 respectively. The Canon D10 particularly is waterproof to 10 meters, just like the Olympus Tough 8000. While other tough cameras use folded optics, the D10 has a protruding lens housed in a rugged casing which features special attachment points for increased versatility.
More 100% coverage viewfinders in upper mid-range DSLR cameras. Nikon and Olympus already have the D300 and E3 with 100% coverage under $2000. Can Pentax, Canon and Sony follow? At least Sony has the only full-frame DSLR with 100% coverage and built-in stabilization.
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Today Nikon has unveiled 8 new Coolpix cameras with a new flagship for its performance series and a new relatively compact ultra-zoom for its life series.
The already existing L-series was also expanded to feature Nikon’s first compact ultra-zoom, the 10 megapixels Coolpix L100. Unlike most compact ultra-zooms, the L100 is equipped with a wide-angle 15X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 28-420mm in 35mm terms. Its lens also features image stabilization and 1cm (0.4″) macro mode, for close and far photography. The Nikon Coolpix L100 also features a high-speed continuous drive mode, this time at 13 FPS and a standard (4:3) aspect 3 megapixels resolution. This ultra-zoom is powered by readily available AA batteries for extra convenience.
The final additions of the day are members of the slim S-series, available in a wide-variety of interesting colors from a product photography point of view. The Nikon Coolpix S630, pictured in a lovely purple here, features a 12 megapixels sensor and a 7X stabilized optical zoom lens. Such a relatively long zoom range is rare among ultra-compact cameras without using folded optics which often reduce optical quality. Like all S-series Coolpix digital cameras, this one is purely point-and-shoot.