Samsung GX-1L SLR Review

Schneider D-XENON and Pentax dSLR (KA, KAF, and KAF2) lenses can be used with this camera.

Samsung has announced only two lenses for the GX-1L, the D-XENON 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6 and the D-XENON 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6. In addition, the GX-1L accepts Pentax's DA series of digital lenses.

APS-Sized CCD Image Sensor

The "heart" of the GX-1L is an APS-sized CCD image sensor with an effective 6.1 million pixels. The effective sensor size is 23.5 x 15.7 mm with the same 3:2 aspect ratio of 35mm film. The GX-1L's CCD (on the right) is compared in size to a "large" 5-megapixel 2/3-inch CCD imager.

Because the imager is physically smaller than 35mm film the angle of view is 1.5x the normal lens focal length. This makes going ultra-wide a challenge but it yields longer telephoto focal lengths with no reduction of maximum aperture. The 50-200mm zoom, for example, becomes the equivalent a 75-300mm lens on a 35mm camera!

5-Point TTL AF System

Featuring a TTL phase-matching AF system incorporating five wide-area AF sensors, the GX-1L automatically selects the most appropriate sensor for a given subject. It also lets the user fix the sensor point on the middle sensor for specific applications. Using the menu screen, the user can select the preferred focus mode between Single AF, which locks the focus when the shutter release button is half-depressed, and Continuous AF, which adjusts the focus to the subject’s movement.

PENTAX DA Series
"Made for Digital" Lenses

PENTAX Corporation is proud to announce the development of the compact, high-performance smc PENTAX-DA series of interchangeable lenses, exclusively designed for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras.

The image circle in the DA-series lenses is designed to perfectly match the size of the CCD (23.5mm x 15.7mm) incorporated in PENTAX's digital SLRs, optimizing the performance of these cameras. The new design also contributes to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost, compared to 35mm-format counterparts with similar specifications.

PENTAX-DA Zoom 18mm-55mm F3.5-F5.6 AL

The smc PENTAX-DA Zoom 18mm-55mm F3.5-F5.6 AL lens. This is the "kit" lens most often bundled with the *ist D series digital SLRs. The PENTAX-DA Zoom 18-55 lens is portable and affordable to ensure comfortable, well-balanced operations. This compact, lightweight standard zoom lens features an image circle to match the camera’s large 23.5mm x 15.7mm image sensor.

Mounted on the PENTAX *ist DL, this zoom lens provides an angle-of-view equivalent to a 27.5mm-84mm lens in the 35mm format that covers the most frequently used ranges from wide angle to moderate telephoto.

The aspherical optical elements in this new lens contribute to a reduction in size and weight of the lens and to more effective compensation of unwanted aberrations.

The aperture ring has been eliminated from this lens to simplify camera operations and improve appearance while aperture-setting operation is performed from the camera body.

Quick-Shift Focus System

Once subjects are captured by the camera’s autofocus system, this PENTAX-original system allows photographers to shift the focusing mode instantly to manual without any switching operations.

PENTAX-DA Zoom 50mm-200mm F4-F5.6 ED

Designed for exclusive use with PENTAX KAF-mount digital SLR cameras, the new lens offers 4X zoom coverage in the telephoto range. Further, the lens features an angle of view from 31.5 degrees to 8.1 degrees (equivalent in focal length from 76.5mm to 306mm in the 35mm format). As with all DA-Series lenses, this DA 50mm-200mm features a responsive “Quick-Shift Focus System” that allows photographers to instantly switch the focus mode from auto to manual with a slight twist of the focus ring. Coupled with a simple, functional design and the elimination of an aperture ring, this new mechanism considerably improves operability.

The lens also incorporates an Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass lens element and two aspherical lens elements for true-to-life image reproduction and overall size reduction. The image circle in DA-series lenses is designed to perfectly match the 23.5mm x 15.7mm size of the CCD used in PENTAX digital SLRs to optimize camera performance. The new design also contributes to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost, compared to 35mm-format counterparts with similar specifications.

PENTAX P-FA J 18-35mm F4-5.6 AL

Announced last year is the smc P-FA J 18-35mm F4.0-5.6 AL wide angle zoom lens for use with PENTAX 35mm-format autofocus SLR cameras. Featuring an ultra-wide 100-degree angle of view at the 18mm focal length, this compact interchangeable zoom lens produces high-quality images with minimal aberration, thanks to the incorporation of an aspherical lens element.

Featuring a simple, functional design without an aperture ring, this compact, high- performance zoom lens measures only 72 millimeters (2.8 inches) in diameter and 68.5 millimeters (2.7 inches) in length and weighs a mere 190 grams (6.7 ounces). It also features an angle-of-view coverage between 63 and 100 degrees and a minimum focusing distance of 0.28 meters (0.92 feet) for a maximum magnification of 0.18 times. It comes equipped with a lens hood to cut off excessive light and minimize flare and ghost images.

When mounted on the new PENTAX *ist DL digital SLR camera, this zoom lens offers focal lengths equivalent to 27.5mm~53.5mm in the 35mm format to cover wide-angle to standard ranges.

The compact, high-performance, interchangeable smc PENTAX-DA 16mm-45mm F4 ED AL lens features a 3X zoom ratio with focal lengths covering ultra-wide to moderate-telephoto ranges for the angle of view equivalent to 24.5mm-69mm in the 35mm format.

The DA-Series features a responsive “Quick-Shift Focus System” that allows photographers to instantly switch the focus mode from auto to manual with a slight twist of the focus ring. Coupled with a simple, functional design and the elimination of an aperture ring, this new mechanism considerably improves the camera’s operability. The lens also incorporates an Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass lens element and two aspherical lens elements for true-to-life image reproduction and overall size reduction. The image circle in DA-series lenses, including the smc PENTAX-DA 16mm-45mm F4 ED AL, is designed to perfectly match the 23.5mm x 15.7mm size of the CCD used in PENTAX digital SLRs to optimize camera performance. The new design also contributes to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost, compared to 35mm-format counterparts with similar specifications.

The smc PENTAX DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens. Designed for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras, the unique pancake style standard lens measures a mere .59 inches in length and weighs just 3.17 ounces. Combined with the popular PENTAX *ist DL digital SLR, the PENTAX DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens will offer the smallest and lightest digital SLR combination available from any manufacturer.

Featuring a sophisticated appearance that incorporates an aluminum lens barrel, hood and cap, the lens offers a perspective similar to the naked eye with its 40mm focal length (equivalent to 61mm in the 35mm format), a large maximum aperture of F2.8, and a minimum focusing distance of 40 centimeters.

The PENTAX DA 40mm also features the PENTAX Quick Shift Focus System for instant switching to manual focus operation, a nine blade diaphragm to assure true-to-life reproduction of out-of-focus areas, and filter attachment versatility (a 49mm-size filter on the lens or a 30.5mm-size filter on the lens hood).

Pentax-DA 12mm-24mm F4 ED AL [IF]

PENTAX Imaging Company has announced yet another compact, lightweight, interchangeable zoom lens for exclusive use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras including the *ist D and the *ist DL series digital SLRs. The smc PENTAX-DA 12mm-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] is the sixth DA- series lens offered by the photo manufacturer. The PENTAX-DA 12mm-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] features:

• 2X zoom coverage in the ultra-wide angle range with an angle of view from 99 degrees to 61 degrees (equivalent in focal length from 18.5mm to 37mm in the 35mm format) when mounted on the PENTAX *ist D or *ist DL digital SLR camera body

• 13-element/11-group optical construction incorporating ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and aspherical optical elements

• The compact dimensions (diameter x length) of 3.3" x 3.4" (83.5mm x 87.5mm)

Pentax-DA Fisheye 10mm-17mm F3.5-4.5 ED [IF]

Mounted on the PENTAX *ist D series of digital SLRs, the DA Fish-Eye 10-17mm lens will capture fish-eye imagery with a 180 degree angle of view and a focal length of 10mm as well as super wide-angle performance. Capture images with an expanded perspective including creative deformation of subjects and sharp pan focus that extends throughout the entire frame. The image circle in DA-series lenses is designed to perfectly match the 23.5mm x 15.7mm size of the CCD used in PENTAX digital SLRs to optimize camera performance. The new design also contributes to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost, compared to 35mm-format counterparts with similar specifications.