PENTAX 645D

PENTAX 645D is one of the longest awaited SLR which took almost five years for its development after announcement. It features a 40MP, 44 x 33 CCD sensor (designed by Kodak) and 921k dot 3.0″ LCD. It has a SAFOX IX+ autofocus system with 11 sensor points, Real Image Engine, a 14 bit A/D converter, and contains 70 seals making it dustproof, weather resistant and cold-proof. It also have SD/SDHC memory card slot and a trapezoid-shaped glass prism viewfinder. It Weighs 1480g when loaded and ready with battery and 2 SD cards.

The PENTAX 645D can provide super-high-resolution images produced by large image sensors for serious landscape and outdoor photographers. Its body is made of magnesium-steel-alloy frame with a reinforced glass LCD panel. In addition, it is designed to be compatible with the majority of the existing PENTAX 645 system, so that current PENTAX 645-series camera users can take advantage of their valuable assets, including high-performance smc PENTAX 645 interchangeable lenses. The PENTAX 645D also comes equipped with the highly dependable DR (Dust Removal) II mechanism, which effectively minimizes annoying dust spots on recorded images, even when the lenses are changed in dust-prone outdoor settings. By shifting UV/IR-cut filters placed in front of the CCD image sensor at supersonic speed using a piezoelectric element, this mechanism effectively and efficiently shakes dust off the image sensor. There is a user-friendly dust-alert system which notifies the photographer about the dust adhering to the image sensor. It has advanced 77-segment multi-pattern metering system to assure super-high-accuracy light metering. The exposure accuracy is further enhanced by collecting such additional data as image orientation (horizontal or vertical) and the distance to and magnification of the subject using the sensors installed inside the camera body, with the obtained data incorporated into exposure calculations.

PENTAX 645D also have custom Image function to create desired visual effects which helps the user to easily control an image’s finishing touches reproducing the ambience of the scene. The user has a choice to select one of eight modes. One of the new mode is the Reversal Film mode designed to create images with the colors that are typical of reversal film. In addition to this all the other parameters like saturation, hue, contrast, sharpness, key, and highlight/shadow contrast can easily be adjusted to desired levels. The Hyper Program function allows the user to instantly switch from Programmed AE mode to Shutter or Aperture-Priority AE mode. This can be done by the simple turn of a electric dial positioned around the grip. A single push of the green button shifts the exposure mode back to the original Programmed AE mode. It’s Hyper Manual mode lets the user to instantly set the proper exposure for the subject with a single push of the green button. The Sensitivity-Priority mode automatically selects the optimum combination of aperture and shutter speed for the user-selected sensitivity. The Shutter/Aperture-Priority mode automatically selects the most appropriate sensitivity for the user-selected aperture/shutter-speed combination. The PENTAX 645D is powered by a large-capacity, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which can capture approximately 800 images when fully charged.

The camera will initially be available only in the Japanese market by May 2010 at a suggested retail price of ¥850,000 (US $9,400 approximately).