The retro-styled Pentax MX-1 was listed as one of the standout cameras in a range of reports on CES 2013.
The MX-1 has a classic design reminiscent of traditional film cameras, with a textured rubber grip and brass top and bottom panels, plus a metal lens ring, tiltable 920-000-dot LCD monitor and dedicated mode and exposure compensation dials. Internally, it boasts a larger-than-standard 7.6 x 5.7mm back-illuminated CMOS sensor with 12-megapixel resolution, and a state-of-the-art imaging engine that supports Super Resolution technology and ISO settings to 12800. Raw file capture is supported, along with in-camera raw file development.
The camera’s 4x optical zoom lens (28-112mm in 35mm format) has a fast maximum aperture of f1.8 to f2.5. Digtial zoom extends the range up to 8.7 times (218mm in 35mm format equivalent). Dual shake reduction combines sensor-shift and digital compensation and a dual-axis digital level gauge is available to ensure horizontal and vertical alignment.
The new camera supports Full HD movie recording employing efficient H.264 compression. A dedicated movie button is provided. Time-lapse movies can be recorded and a new High-speed Movie mode records movie clips for slow-motion playback, both of which are recorded at VGA resolution (640 x 480 pixels). A pop-up auto flash is included, along with remote control sensors on the front and back panels.
Creative functions include 15 digital filters, image processing tools such as Stretch and Small Face filters and a Collage function, a choice of four aspect ratios and compatibility with Eye-Fi cards. The MX-1 measures approximately 122x 60 x 51mm and weighs 363 grams (without battery and SD memory card).
Custom-coloured Q10s
In what could be a sign of things to come – and is certainly a clever marketing ploy – Pentax has also introduced a unique custom colour service for ts Q10 mirrorless interchangeable. Customers can select from a large range of body and grip colours to create their own colour scheme. Camera are ordered from the US Pentax online store, where customers can mix and match to their heart’s content.
CR Kennedy director Clem Kennedy says there are no current plans to introduce the custom-colour service here.
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