Pentax is making some more moves in the "prosumer" camera arena with a few new pieces of kit: the K500 mid-level DSLR, the K50 "beginner" DSLR, and the Q7, which is a natural progression of the Pentax Q. The three will be available in July of 2013.
Kicking things off is the K50, Pentax's newest throw of the dart towards the mid-level DSLR market. It comes armed with a 16.3MP APS-C image sensor along with a Prime M image processor. Your imaging options range from 6 fps continuous shooting to full HD 1080p video recording, all viewable on a 3.0" 921k-dot LCD monitor. Perhaps the two most notable features are a fully weather-sealed body construction and a multitude of colors to chose from.
The K500 has largely the same specs as the K50, which will be right at home with the beginner to mid-level DSLR user. It loses three key features though: the higher price tag, the weather sealing, and the army of available colors that the K50 enjoys.
We wrap things up with the new Q7, the successor to the Q system that arrived on the market a few years ago. Crucial features include a 12.4MP 1/1.7" backlit CMOS sensor which can accept ISOs of up to 12,800 and can output RAW format. The continuous mode is only slightly less burst-y than its DSLR brethren, clocking in at 5fps and a highest available shutter speed of 1/2000s. There's shift-shake reduction built-in, a built-in pop-up flash for your low light escapades, and finally, the full line of Pentax Q lenses will fit on the camera.
If you opt for the Q7 mirrorless camera, you'll be spoiled for color choice like the K50
Your thoughts, fellow photography enthusiasts? Is Pentax offering you enough to consider a move or new purchase? Or is this too little, too late from the fabled brand? Let us know your thoughts on our Facebook page.