Pentax’s beginner SLR, the Pentax K2000
Pentax has introduced a new digital SLR that we be headed to stores in time for the holiday season. The Pentax K2000 will be geared toward beginning SLR users, be able to take pictures at a 10.2 megapixel resolution, and will come with an included 18-55mm.
The digital SLR has a 2.7-inch LCD screen, and a “Help” button top help digital SLR newcomers get a feel for the camera and how to operate the controls. The Help menu gives those users on-screen guidance to help them along the way.
Along those same lines the Pentax K2000 also has an Auto Picture mode, that automatically chooses the best preset mode on the camera a for a particular picture based on the conditions around it. If you’re new to digital SLR’s then thing like the auto picture mode can come in particularly handle. While I’m prone to fiddling with control for quite some time before taking a shot, I find myself falling back on pre-sets on occasions where I don’t have the time to manually set everything. The pre-set pictures always turn out nicely (although I’m convinced I could always set the controls better).
The camera also has a built-in sensor-shift image stabilization, and a sensor-shaking dust removal system. The camera supports RAW file capture, and can take pictures in a burst mode at 3.5 frames per second.
The camera ISO settings range from 100 to 3200 and have three metering choices available including a 16-segment multi-patter, center-weighted, and spot setting. The K2000 also has a 5-point auto focus system, and offers users the ability to enable only the center sensor for spot focus.
The Pentax K2000 is expected to reach stores in November of this year with a suggested retail price around $700. A compatible 50-200mm lens was announced as well for the camera, which will be available in early 2009 as part of a two-lens camera kit.
