Pentax’s Brand-New Film Camera Will Launch This Summer
Pentax's Film Camera Project, which was first announced in December 2022, is moving on to the next stage of its development and is scheduled to launch in summer 2024.
Pentax PF-85EDA Spotting Scope Promises Comfortable Birdwatching and Stargazing
Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation announced the Pentax PF-85EDA spotting scope, a portable terrestrial telescope designed for birdwatching and nature observations.
The Best of the Rest Cameras and Lenses in 2023
Alongside PetaPixel's recaps for major camera manufacturers, including Sony, Fujifilm, Nikon, and Canon, we also recapped the year for the L-Mount Alliance and the Micro Four Thirds mount. Now it's time to wrap up the year in review equipment recaps with a highlight of the "best of the rest" cameras and lenses released this year from the smaller, or at least less mainstream, brands.
The Most Forgettable Announcements of 2023
This year included some fantastic new cameras, lenses, and accessories. From the Nikon Z8 and the Sony a7CR to the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 and Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, nearly every camera maker brought something amazing to the table. However, some of them also announced products that slipped through the cracks by virtue of being dreadfully boring, if not outright bad.
Ricoh Execs on the Pentax K-1 Mark III, Film, and the Future of the 645 and Q
At a marketing event in Taipei earlier this month, Ricoh executives answered wide-ranging questions about Pentax's strategy, including the status of the company's DSLR cameras and its highly anticipated film camera revival.
Pentax K-3 III Monochrome: APS-C Becomes Black and White
The Pentax K-3 III Monochrome is among the most affordable cameras designed exclusively for black-and-white photography and a very good APS-C DSLR.
Beautiful Holiday Ad Celebrates the Emotional Power of Photography
A new Christmas-themed Toyota commercial focuses less on the company's automobiles and more on the power of photography.
PetaPixel’s Bold Camera Predictions for 2024
Now in its third year, PetaPixel has gathered its team together to guess the things they just know are going to take place over the next calendar year. All of us are, as usual, ready to be very, very wrong.
Pentax Gives the K-1 II the GPS-Free Astrotracer the K-3 III Got Last Year
Ricoh published firmware version 2.40 for the Pentax K-1 II that brings the Astrotracer Type 2 and Type 3 modes to the full-frame DSLR. These features originally launched on the K-3 III last year.
Waterproof Pentax WG-90 Has New Branding and Color But Identical Specs
Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation has announced the Pentax WG-90, an all-weather camera designed to succeed the Ricoh WG-80.
Pentax 50mm FA f/1.4 HD and Classic Review: A Tale of Two Fifties
I consider myself an ardent supporter of Ricoh/Pentax products and have always endeavored to review its cameras and lenses when many others have chosen not to. I also think that the Pentax brand has really found its niche as more of a boutique manufacturer, focusing on the classic SLR design -- a move that I think makes a ton of sense in today's waning market.
EU Common Charger Law May Be Final Nail in Coffin for DSLRs
While the European Union's move to make USB-C the common charging standard for nearly all electronics by the end of next year is good news for many consumers, it may spell the end for DSLR cameras.
The GR III Is So Popular, Ricoh Can’t Keep It in Stock
The Ricoh GR III, a compact point-and-shoot camera originally brought to market in 2019, is proving so popular that the company can't keep it stocked on store shelves around the world.
Ricoh Opens Up About its Pentax Film Camera Project and More
Ricoh chose not to exhibit at CP+ earlier this year, so I took advantage of my extended stay in Japan to visit their corporate headquarters in Ota-ku, Tokyo. (Ota is southwest of central Tokyo, about a 50-minute train ride from where I was staying in Asakusa, on the northeast side of the city.)
The Worst Thing About Every Camera Brand: 2023 Edition
It's time for a State of the Union, Camera Edition. In recent years, we have seen some dramatically positive changes from all the major camera manufacturers, but nobody is perfect. Let's talk about each one's weak points.
New OM Patent Looks Like an Extreme Version of Pentax’s AstroTracer
OM System has been granted a patent for an astronomy tracking function that combines a camera's in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system alongside optical image stabilization (OIS).
Pentax K-3 III Monochrome Review: A DSLR Just for B&W Photo Lovers
Ricoh Imaging marches to the beat of its own drum -- I love this about the company. Pentax refuses to jump onto the mirrorless camera bandwagon, and I'm all for the company sticking it out with DSLR cameras.
A Plea to Manufacturers: 12 Features All Cameras Desperately Need
Cameras all have a pretty solid set of features and design elements that appeal to a wide range of users. But, for the most part, pretty much all of them lack a set of features that would make them all a lot more powerful and enjoyable to use.
Pentax’s Two New 50mm Lenses Look Similar But Take Different Photos
Ricoh has announced two new 50mm f/1.4 lenses that look very similar on the outside but are designed to produce distinctively different image renditions.
Pentax’s New Film Camera Will Have a Fixed, Non-Interchangeable Lens
Last December, Pentax announced that it was developing a new film camera in response to the resurgent popularity of the medium. In its most recent update, the company has revealed more about what that camera will look like, including the fact it will have a fixed lens.
Pentax 100mm f/2.8 Macro Review: Great Quality in an Outdated Package
When it comes to macro photography, having the right lens is critical for achieving the best possible images. As such, the updated $547 HD D FA Macro 100mm F/2.8 ED AW from Pentax brings a refreshed optical formula optimized to work better with larger megapixel DSLR's but, sadly, not much else.
Pentax Made a Monochrome Camera: Is it a Smart Move or Desperate Ploy?
The monochrome digital camera is an odd beast - something talked about in revered terms - with echoes reverberating from those hallowed Leica halls because it is only Leica that had dipped its toe in the proverbial monochrome waters... until now.
The Pentax K-3 III Monochrome is so Popular, Ricoh Can’t Keep it in Stock
Ricoh has already sold out of its Japanese allocation of Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome cameras twice. Clearly, the company's latest DSLR is extremely popular.
Pentax Unveils K-3 III Monochrome DSLR for Black and White Photography
Ricoh has announced a new Pentax K-3 Mark III digital SLR camera designed exclusively for black and white photography. The new Pentax K-3 III Monochrome is the only monochrome-specific DSLR on the market.
Pentax is Considering Making a New Hand-Winding Film Camera
Pentax is considering making a brand-new hand-winding manual film camera as part of its endeavors to develop a new analog camera that appeals to young film enthusiasts.
Humorous Sketch Imagines if Camera Brands Were People
Every camera brand makes excellent cameras. However, as the popular photography YouTube channel Mango Street shows with its humorous "camera brand support group" video, that doesn't mean photographers can't laugh at themselves and some of the stereotypes surrounding their preferred manufacturer.
PetaPixel’s Bold Camera Predictions for 2023
Carrying on a tradition we started last year, PetaPixel has gathered its staff together to discuss the things they know, not just think, will take place over the course of the next calendar year. We're ready to be very, very wrong.
Pentax Launches New 35mm Camera Project After Film Resurgence
Ricoh has announced it's launching a new Pentax film camera project after a surge in interest in analog photography.
Ricoh May Withdraw or Sell Multiple Businesses to Increase Profitability
Ricoh is set to evaluate its many business segments and determine which it will withdraw from or attempt to sell as it aims to increase its return on investment in the 2023 fiscal year.
Ricoh’s New Pentax KF DSLR is a Largely Unchanged K-70 Re-Release
Ricoh has announced the Pentax KF DSLR, a camera that is, outside of a few minor changes, pretty much identical to the Pentax K-70 that was originally released in 2016.
Ricoh Unveils a New 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens for Pentax DSLRs
Ricoh has announced a new HD Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8ED AW lens for its Pentax DSLR cameras, the first all-weather (AW) dustproof, weather-resistant macro lens in its lineup.
The Camera Gear Behind the 685 Best Astro Photos Since 2017
Skies and Scopes have released its findings from analyzing all of the images shortlisted by the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition from since 2017 to figure out which cameras and accessories are being used by the best astrophotographers in the world today.
The Pentax K-3 III Jet Black Special Edition is Now Available in the U.S.
Last spring, Ricoh launched a crowdfunding campaign in Japan for a Jet Black special edition K-3 Mark III. While originally only available in Japan, "limited quantities" of the camera can now be purchased in the United States.
Pentax May Have Lucked Out as Nikon and Canon Leave DSLRs Behind
Pentax could now be in the strange and advantageous position as the main beneficiary of the demise of the DSLR as both Canon and Nikon prepare to exit the space.
Pentax Lenses: Gotta Catch ’em All?
Pentax, which is no stranger to unusual strategies when it comes to cameras, announced that it was releasing season-themed photo profiles for a set of its DSLRs that would be locked behind specific lenses. Gotta catch 'em all, I guess? For more, read this week's Clipped Highlights!
New Pentax Photo Color Modes Only Work with Certain Lenses
Ricoah has announced a new firmware update for the Pentax K-1, K-1 Mark II, and K-3 Mark III DSLRs that enables season-specific Custom Image modes when the cameras are used with specific Limited-series lenses.
Judge Throws Out Lawsuit That Claimed the Pentax K-50 Was Flawed
A judge has thrown out a class-action lawsuit against Ricoh that alleged its Pentax digital camera was designed with a defect that caused photos to come out pitch black.
New Pentax GPS Unit Makes Astrophotography Easier and More Accurate
Ricoh has announced the second-generation global positioning system (GPS) unit for its DSLRs that it says provides reliable, high-precision positioning data and promises to simplify tracing for astrophotography.
Why Pentax Has Failed at Mirrorless Cameras
Over the last decade, mirrorless camera technology has evolved to the point that it's now a welcome technology for many photographers and filmmakers. Although, along the way, it's not been an easy ride for the big mirrorless camera brands. User sentiment, Japanese earthquakes, the pandemic, and newer technology adoption have all taken their toll, leading to spot fires in the manufacturing process and camera uptake.
Ricoh is Crowdfunding a ‘Jet Black’ Limited Edition K-3 Mark III in Japan
As part of its new "workshop like" business plan for Pentax, Ricoh has announced a new crowdfunding campaign for a Jet Black special edition K-3 Mark III, a choice based on feedback the company received from fans last November.