Pentax We have heard talk of a new pro level camera in the works. The next big offering from Pentax is likely to have improved noise levels and include a full-frame sensor from Samsung.

Samsung The company isn’t likely to make its own DSLR, as its consumer market is more in the big-box and electronics stores. The company probably will continue working closely with Pentax. A full-frame sensor for a Pentax DSLR is likely in the works.

Such rumors are floating around for more than a year, but the sources are becoming more and more credible.

Samsung Techwin didn’t posted any firmware updates for GX-20 DSLR (Samsung analogue for Pentax K20D) yet as well as didn’t confirmed the same bug.

Pentax USA has confirmed the issue, themselves noting that it only seems to occur when the 2-second self-timer is employed. They said that the engineering team was working on a firmware fix for the problem, and that a fix would be publicly available at some point in the future. No ETA was available for the fix yet, as the engineering team had apparently only just recently confirmed the problem and its cause.

DPReview forum user Pfan has contacted Pentax European Headquarter chief technician and reported that…

Since yesterday evening there is a firmware-fix ready and we implemented it on my K20D - IT WORKS !

This update will be implemented in the next firmware version - it will be available after quality testing phase in the near future.

So they worked fast and fixed it - it´s NOT a hardware question - and everybody can update the K20D´s via normal sd card update process.

Earlier, Pentax Europe product manager Wolfgang Baus has confirmed ‘no more firmware updates for K10D’ policy to the popular German Pentax community DigitalFotoNetz.

More in the news: OK1000 has reported Apple adds Pentax K200D and K20D RAW support to Aperture 2.0 and iPhoto ‘08.

• $100 on Pentax K200D and K20D bodies
• $100 on PENTAX DA 16-45mm F4.0 ED/AL lens
• $100 on PENTAX DA*50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM lens
• $100 smc PENTAX DA*16-50mm F2.8 ED AL(IF) SDM lens
• $50 on AF-360FGZ flash
• $50 on AF-540FGZ flash
• $25 on D-BG2 battery grip
• $25 on D-BG3 battery grip

As usual, only US customers can apply.

Pentax Imaging has announced a major update to its popular waterproof digicam series - Pentax Optio W60. The most noticeable improvements in comparison with the previous models are:

• 5x zoom lens with the real 28mm wide angle (28-140mm). A Digital Wide function merges two shots into one image for ultra-wide-angle image capture (equivalent to a focal length of 21mm in 35mm format).
• New 10 Megapixel 1/2.3″ sensor. Sensitivity could be set up to ISO1600 in full resolution and up to ISO6400 in 5 Megapixel mode.

W60 allows to take pictures 30% deeper than the previous model - 4 meters. In addition to the JIS Class 8 waterproofing standard, the camera is JIS Class 5 dustproof against dirt, sand and dust and operates in extreme temperatures as cold as 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 10 degrees Celsius). Furthermore, you can make 720p HDTV (1280 x 720 pixels) movies in such harsh conditions.

Both lenses have constant F/2.8 aperture, 100cm closest focusing distance and nine diaphragm blades. Nothing new here but what makes these lenses unique is HSM motor which is compatible with the newest Pentax DSLRs. Unfortunately, AF will not work at all on the Pentax K100D and older Pentax cameras like *ist series.

Lots of optics tested here: from FA* 27-70/2.8, FA*85/1.4 to all
Limiteds, DA*, the new DA17-70 SDM etc…

Most lenses are quite good and a couple numbers simply excellent !!

Talking about recent lenses:

• DA 17-70 SDM: it is good, vingettes a lot at 17 but it very nice upgrade over the kit lens. They say there’s no focus touch up (!! to be confirmed) but there’s indeed weather sealing. They do not say if it is SDM-only but I think so.
• DA*200/2.8: excellent !!
• DA*300/4: excellent !!
• DA35/2.8 macro: excellent !
• DA* 50-135 and DA* 16-50/2.8: centering defects but otherwise very good.

Great thanks to Thibouille for sharing such a good news.

For those who can’t read French or live outside of Europe there is DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited review from the DigitalCameraReview:

In short, the new 35mm Limited is an amazing lens with fabulous edge-to-edge sharpness, amazingly close focus, great bokeh, and exceptional build quality common to the Limited series lenses. Once again, Pentax has delivered a fantastic professional-quality prime lens at a reasonable price.