Denver - Pentax Ricoh Imaging Americas introduced this week the weather-resistant K-30 DSLR featuring a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor with FullHD 1080/24p and 30p video capture.

The K-30 is scheduled to hit retail shelves in July at an $850 suggested retail for the body only, or $900 for the body with an 18-55mm kit lens. 

It was said to have been designed to resist damage from dust and inclement weather, including temperatures down to 14 degrees F, using 81 seals.

The camera includes Pentax's new 11-point AF system with nine cross-type sensors, using the so-called SAFOX IXi+ AF module.

The viewfinder offers a 100 percent field of view at 0.92x magnification.

The K-30 adds up to a 6 fps burst shooting speed for JPEG images, a high-speed shutter up to 1/6,000th second, and dual electronic dials for quick access to exposure control and Auto Picture and scene modes.

Other features include an ergonomic grip; a choice of three body colors including black, Crystal White and Crystal Blue; and a sensor-based image-stabilization system.

The K-30's 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, coupled with the Prime M imaging engine, is said to produce high-quality low-noise images for both video and stills. The camera includes a wide sensitivity range between ISO 100 and ISO 12,800 (ISO 25,600 maximum when expanded via a custom function).

The sensor system also provides Live View capability at 60 fps.

The K-30 also accepts interchangeable Pentax Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screens to facilitate manual focusing operation.

Optional focus screens include cross-lined and scale types, to accommodate more specialized applications.

The camera's Auto Picture mode analyzes a scene then automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode from Portrait, Landscape or Macro, among others.

The K-30 also offers 19 creative scene modes, including Night Scene Portrait, Pet and Backlight Silhouette, to simplify photographing unique subjects and scenes that often require uncommon camera settings.

The K-30 is compatible with Pentax K-, KA-, KAF-, KAF2- and KAF3-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter).

Other features include a 3-inch, 921,000-dot LCD monitor; 77-segment multi-pattern light metering system;   CMOS-sensor dust-removal mechanism; and SilkyPix Developer Studio 3.0 for Pentax software included with the camera.