DSLR Reviews

Ricoh Imaging introduced the 24-megapixel Pentax K-3 II DSLR earlier this year. The Pentax K-3 II is the successor to the K-3 from 2013 and while it shares some features with that model, it adds a few new tricks, including an improved shake reduction system, a new high-speed AF algorithm, and built-in GPS.

The Pentax K-50 is, in its basic specifications, identical with the company’s new K-500 model. Both cameras offer a 16MP sensor, a built-in stabilizer system (based on sensor shift technology), all standard exposure modes of a modern SLR system and a very large and bright optical SLR viewfinder. The optical viewfinder offers a 100 percent field of view, which is a very uncommon feature in this SLR class. The only difference between the K-50 and the K-500 is the sealedbody of the K-50. This allows the user to work with the K-50 even under challenging conditions, such as heavy rain.

The Pentax K-S2 offers a more classical handling and design concept than its predecessor with a standard mode dial on the top and two setup dials for exposure parameters (one near the shutter release button, the second on the back of the camera). For menu navigation, it offers a standard control field, which uses four buttons to navigate or to select functions such as white balance, ISO speed, and shooting mode.

The Pentax K-S1 is a small but versatile DSLR system with a 20MP APS-C sensor. Its body design is based on a standard SLR concept, with a large grip on the right hand side and a pentaprism optical viewfinder. There are, however, some aspects of the camera that are quite unusual, mainly the use of LEDs to signal settings and functions. These LEDs sit on the front and back of the camera and can, for example, show how many people are included in the face detection function; indicate the choice of photo or video mode with a red or green circle of LEDs on the back; or, quite reasonably, indicate self-timer countdown via bright LEDs on the camera front.

“Of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language.”—Walt Disney

It’s a photokina year and you know what that means; all of the camera manufacturers will be holding off their newest SLRs for launch at the big show in Germany this fall. While Canon was not at PMA, they officially launched the EOS-1D Mark IV...

While compiling a list of my favorite professional DSLRs two things came to my mind: At this point in the 21st century, why are they still called DSLRs and not simply SLRs? Canon’s top-of-the-line, film-based EOS-1v was introduced in 2000 and is long gone. Nikon’s F6 ($2,399) was launched in 2004, and although you can still buy one, not many people do. To me it’s like calling automobiles “horseless carriages” and since I don’t think a Nikon F7 is around the corner, let’s put this abbreviation to bed.