Pentax Digital SLRs
Robert Correll
Author | Photographer | Musician
Although you don't need Digital SLR Photography All-in-One For Dummies to use these pages, they are intended to supplement the book and provide you with current information as it becomes available. Camera lineups, prices, technology, and specifications are always evolving!
Although I do not shoot with a Pentax, I've been wanting to get my hands on one for a while. I was shooting at a form of "Pinewood Derby" event that my kids were involved in and was having trouble with the lighting. We were in a gymnasium and, although it was nice and bright in there, there wasn't enough ambient light to shoot using very quick shutter speeds. I tried using the flash and ended up with bright people and dark backgrounds (ugh!). I was next to a guy who was using a Pentax and he was raising his ISO to unbelievable levels. I left feeling pretty jealous. He was also able to shoot video and I wasn't. Yeouch.
By the way, Pentax dSLRs come in some really cool colors. Gotta love that creativity. It's fun!
| Model | Year | Price | Type | Sensor Size |
Crop Factor |
Mega pixels |
ISO | Video | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K-5 II | 2012 | $1,199 | Semi-Professional | APS-C | 1.5 | 16.3 | 100-12800 | 1080 Full HD | 740 |
| K-5 IIs | 2012 | $1,199 | Semi-Professional | APS-C | 1.5 | 16.3 | 100-12800 | 1080 Full HD | 740 |
| K-30 | 2012 | $899 | Mid-Range | APS-C | 1.5 | 16.3 | 100-12800 | 1080 Full HD | 649 |
| K-r | 2010 | $749 | Mid-Range | APS-C | 1.5 | 12.4 | 200-12800 | 720 HD | 598 |
Note: I have included a limited number of specifications here to boil each camera down to it's essence. It's a great place to start, but there is much more information available. Visit each camera's Web page and look at the detailed specs to compare. I explain a number of specifications in more detail on a separate Digital SLR Specs page.
