Ricoh has unveiled a digital SLR camera that it believes is ideal for withstanding the elements while taking photographs outdoors. The 24.24-megapixel DSLR is an all-weather camera that can work at temperatures as low as -10C (14F), with its rugged dust-proof and weather-resistant casing said to make it ideal for outdoor shooting during activities, such as mountain climbing or while camping in a forest.
Equipped with the high-speed Prime MII imaging engine and an image sensor using an AA-filter-free design, the K-70 offers an ISO range that extends to ISO 102,400, with a claim of minimal noise at all sensitivity levels. Using Pentax’s first Hybrid AF system during Live View, it offers a fast contrast AF focusing, while its shake reduction system couples an in-body SR mechanism with an AA filter simulator to reduce moire and a Pixel Shift Resolution System with motion correction, offering up to 4.5 shutter steps of compensation.
Equipped with a shutter speed of 1/6000 of a second and a burst of six frames per second, it is also able to record 1080p video at 60fps. The 0.95x optical viewfinder has 100-percent frame coverage, and is supported by a three-inch 921k-dot vari-angle LCD that has a brighter Outdoor View mode and also a Night Vision option, one that offers a red-lit image to help those performing astronomical photography. Wi-Fi connectivity allows it to be remotely controlled via a smartphone or tablet, complete with image transfers that can then be shared on social networks.
Arriving in the United States in July, the Pentax K-70 will cost $650 for the body alone, $900 when bundled with an 18-135mm lens.
