The new Pentax X-5 is announced

Pentax Ricoh Imaging UK LTD have announced the launch of the Pentax X-5 digital bridge camera.

The X-5 has a 26x optical zoom lens covering ultra wide-angle to super telephoto ranges, with a focal length coverage from 22.3mm ultra wide-angle to 580mm super telephoto (in 35mm format). In addition, the lens features a 1cm Macro mode.

The lens has an Intelligent Zoom function, which extends the camera’s zoom coverage to approximately 187.2 times (for a focal length of 4174mm in 35mm format), which Pentax claim will not compromise the image quality.

The X-5 also has a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with a top sensitivity of ISO 6400 and approximately 16.0 effective megapixels. The X-5 also features an imaging engine which is supported by the latest Super Resolution technology. In addition, its unique Handheld Night Scene shooting mode is said to help the photographer capture a blur-free night-time image by taking multiple images at once and synthesizing them into a single composite picture.

The X-5 comes equipped with a large 3.0-inch, high-definition LCD monitor with approximately 460,000 dots. Its construction allows the photographer to tilt the monitor up and down and set it at the angle easiest for viewing.

The dual shake-reduction system couples the Pentax-developed sensor-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism with a digital SR mode to more effectively compensate for camera shake.

The camera also features an electronic viewfinder, which comes in handy when shooting a subject in harsh back-light or when the photographer needs a more solid hold of the camera. Its dioptre adjustment mechanism is said to give the user a clearer view of both subject and viewfinder display, while minimising eye fatigue during extended shooting sessions.

The X-5, which is powered by four AA-size batteries, is said to be able to capture approximately 330 images with a fresh set of alkaline batteries, eliminating the need for frequent battery changes.

There is also a Full HD movie recording function employing the H-264 recording format. Users can capture extended movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels at a 16:9 aspect ratio) at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. The camera also offers creative movie playback features, such as High-speed Movie mode for slow-motion playback and Time-lapse Movie mode for fast-forward playback. A micro-HDMI terminal (Type D) is also provided on the camera body for the output of recorded movies and sound to external devices.

The X-5 also features remote control operation, high-speed burst shooting of up to 10 images per second, for a maximum of 30 images in a single sequence, 12 digital filters, a range of creative image-processing tools, a choice of three aspect ratios (4:3, 16:9 and 1:1) to accommodate specific applications, editing software and it is compatible with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards.

The X-5 will cost £229.99.

For more information visit pentax.co.uk

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