Ricoh Imaging has announced three new products that are aimed at the consumer market: the Pentax K-S2 DSLR, the WG-5 GPS waterproof compact camera, and AF201FG all-weather flash. The company also displayed a mockup of an upcoming full-frame DSLR – a highly-anticipated camera among Pentax shooters. The camera, which is still in development and hasn’t been named yet, would most certainly become the flagship Pentax DSLR below the medium-format offering, and targeting pro-level users. Ricoh says the camera will debut by the end of 2015.
Ricoh also announced two professional lenses, the HD Pentax-D FA 70-200mm F2.8ED DC AW and HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW. Both will be available in March 2015 for $2,300 and $2,500, respectively.
Here’s a look at the new consumer-oriented products.
WG-5 GPS rugged compact
The WG-5 GPS is the next version in Ricoh’s (formerly Pentax) series of waterproof cameras, offering just a slight improvement over the previous WG-4 GPS. Per the name of the camera, it has GPS geotagging that automatically records where you are and what the local time is when you take the shot. It also has a digital compass and pressure sensor so you can check stuff like altitude and direction on the 3-inch LCD screen while you’re shooting. The WG-5’s shockproof attribute has improved just a bit (it can handle 7-feet drops, as oppose to the WG-4’s 6.6 feet), but it’s still waterproof down to 45 feet, crushproof up to 220 pounds, and can operate normally down to 14-degrees Fahrenheit. There’s a new mode that takes two pictures – one with and one without the flash – with one shutter press, for those unsure photo moments. Otherwise, it’s the same camera as the WG-4: 16-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, 4x, f/2, 25mm wide-angle, optical zoom lens with six LED ring light (for macro shooting), and Full HD 1080 video recording at 30p.
The camera goes on sale in March 2015 for $380.
Pentax K-S2 DSLR
In the Pentax lineup, Ricoh is adding a new DSLR, the K-S2. Unlike the K-S1, which had a unique UI system consisting of LED lights, the K-S2 looks more like a traditional DSLR with the return of a mode, albeit with bolder body color schemes instead of just the typical black. The weather-resistant, 20-megapixel APS-C camera includes the anti-aliasing simulator first introduced in the high-end Pentax K-3, and there’s Wi-Fi and NFC built-in. The camera has in-body shake reduction, and a SAFOX X autofocus system that isn’t as strong as the K-3’s, but Ricoh says it’s fast and accurate. For selfie lovers, there’s a new Self Shot Assist mode for shooting self-portraits, as well as advanced high-dynamic range (HDR) with clarity enhancement, particularly with things like clouds and snow-capped peaks. With the 3-inch vari-angle LCD (921K-dot resolution), Ricoh says the K-S2 is the smallest DSLR with an articulating LCD.
Included is an 18-55mm kit lens that uses a newly developed retractable zoom. Available in standard black, white, and graphic/orange, the camera will also be available in other custom colors (Forest Green, Desert Beige, Stone Gray, White and Lime, Black and Pink, White with Racing Stripe, and Black with Racing Stripe). Standard-color models will go on sale, with lens, for $800 in March. Other colors will be available in April.
AF201FG flash
Made to complement Pentax cameras, the affordable, weather- and dust-resistant AF201FG flash was made for active photographers – those who shoot in whatever condition. It has a guide number of 20 at ISO 100/m (not a great distance), and an adjustable bounce flash angle from -10 to 135 degrees vertically. New is an assignable mode button that can be customized to settings of the user’s liking. Available in March 2015, the flash will sell for $150.
