Pentax Announces $200 Price Drop on Pentax *ist DL

[Ben Stafford]

In another sign that the digital SLR market is still just heating up, Pentax has announced a $200 price drop on their *ist DL digital SLR.  The single lens kit (camera and 18-55mm DA lens) will be available for $599.95 starting on February 1, 2006.

To fill up your camera bag, Pentax has nine lenses built to work with their digital SLR bodies.  Rebates of up to $100 can be found on select lenses until March 31, 2006.  For more details, see www.pentaxslr.com.

Press Release:

GOLDEN, CO (February 1, 2006)...PENTAX Imaging Company has announced a significant price adjustment on the *ist DL digital SLR camera with 18-55 DA lens kit. The price reduction from $799.95 US to $599.95 US takes effect February 1, 2006.

"Digital single lens reflex cameras with interchangeable lenses are gaining in popularity as products have become easier-to-use and prices have fallen," said Ed Lee, Director, Consumer Services and Digital Photography Trends Service InfoTrends, Inc. "Consumers wavering between a higher-end compact digital and a digital SLR will take note of this new PENTAX pricing as will consumers who have been considering an upgrade to a digital SLR," added Lee.

World-renowned for decades for delivering small, lightweight, easy-to-use and affordable SLR systems including bodies, lenses and flashes, PENTAX now offers a suite of nine digital lenses specifically designed for use with PENTAX digital SLR bodies. Rebates up to $100.00 US on select lenses are currently available through March 31, 2006. More details are available at www.pentaxslr.com.

" PENTAX is the first camera manufacturer to offer a digital SLR kit at a price that entry-level users can afford," said Ned Bunnell, marketing director, PENTAX Imaging Company. "In fact, PENTAX is repeating our heritage of 30 years ago when we introduced the K1000, one of the most popular and affordable entry-level film SLRs ever manufactured," added Bunnell.

PENTAX introduced the K1000 SLR film camera in 1976 and sold more than 2.5 million units during the life cycle of the product. Though no longer manufactured, the camera remains popular among students and beginners for its durability, affordability and easy operation in learning the basic fundamentals of photography.

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of cameras, sport optics, lenses, mobility products, and Internet cameras. For more than 80 years, PENTAX technology has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PENTAX Corporation of Japan. PENTAX is a trademark of PENTAX Corporation.

[Brian]

That's pretty impressive considering higher end point and shoots aren't much less.