Pentax today upgraded its budget DSLR. The K-r directly takes on some of the issues with the earlier K-x and focuses on image performance first: it now shoots at up to ISO 25,600 (up from 12,800) and at up to 6FPS for 25 shots in continuous mode (up from 4.7). Plus the shutter speed has climbed to 1/6000th of a second.
Improvements from past models include long an addition of a focus point indicator in the viewfinder. You also now have the option of using either a lithium-ion battery pack or AA batteries to power the camera. The preview LCD is better with a three-inch, 921,000-pixel image. Pentax also obeys the IrSimple standard and will transfer its photos to any device that supports the infrared link, including another K-r.
The K-r will come in black, red and white for the October launch. A body-only version will cost $800, while a version with an 18-55mm kit lens will cost $850. Two kits add secondary telephoto lenses, starting with a $900 set that adds a 50-200mm lens and a $1,000 set that goes for a longer-reaching 55-300mm lens.
