Pentax Q-S1 ultra-compact CSC launches in 40 colour choices
The latest Pentax compact system camera is the compact Q-S1, which doesn't cost the earth and has over 40 colour combinations
Pentax has announced the Q-S1, the latest entry in the company’s Q-series compact system camera (CSC) range, which is set to arrive in over 40 colour combinations. The retro-inspired camera is meant to appeal to photographers of all skill levels, with dimensions small enough to slip into a pocket and the flexibility of interchangeable Q-mount lenses.
A spiritual successor to the original Pentax Q, the Q-S1 uses a 1/1.7in, backside illuminated CMOS sensor capable of shooting 12.4-megapixel stills at up to ISO 12,800, with built-in Pentax Reliable shade-reduction to prevent blurry images. 21 Scene modes, including backlight silhouette, pet and night scene portrait aim to make shooting in all lighting conditions as easy as possible for amateurs, while 5fps continuous shooting should appeal to anyone looking to shoot sport or moving subjects. It also includes built-in HDR shooting, interval shooting modes, a number of digital filters and effects, and in-body lens distortion correction.
The fixed 3in display takes care of shot composition, but the camera is compatible with an external viewfinder using the hotshoe mount.
More advanced photographers will appreciate the inclusion of RAW shooting and PASM shooting modes, and the compact camera also supports Full HD video recording at up to 30fps using the H.264 codec. It has a built-in flash for low-light shooting, and full compatibility with the existing range of Pentax CSC lenses. Understandably for an entry-level camera there’s no built-in Wi-Fi, but the Q-S1 is compatible with Eye-Fi SDXC memory cards for wireless transfer to a PC or smartphone.
Potential customers will be able to pick between Black, Gunmetal, Pure White, Champagne Gold and Bright Silver bodies, as well as Charcoal Black, Cream, Carmine Red, Canary Yellow, Khaki Green, Royal Blue, Burgundy and Pale Pink grips, for up to 40 possible colour combinations.
The Pentax Q-S1 is set to go on sale here in the UK from September onwards, with prices starting from £299.99 for the body only. A single lens kit, which includes a 5-15mm lens, will cost £379.99, while a dual lens kit with both the 5-15mm lens and a 15-45mm lens should cost around £549.99.
The coincide with the launch, Pentax has also announced a new lens designed for the 645Z medium format camera. Aimed squarely at professionals rather than the entry-level market, the HD PENTAX-DA645 28-45mm F4.5ED AW SR is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, consisting of 17 optical elements in 12 groups, which covers a 35mm equivalent of 22-35.5mm. Both dustproof and weather-resistant, the lens seems well-suited to outdoor photographers, and it includes integrated Pentax Shake Reduction image stabilisation to negate camera shake. It too will be going on sale from early September onwards, but will cost a whopping £3,399.99.