Pentax have announced a couple of new lenses – smc PENTAX-DA 16-50mm F2.8ED AL [IF] SDM and smc PENTAX-DA* 50-135mm F2.8ED [IF] SDM. Designed exclusively for use with its digital SLR cameras, these zoom lenses are the first models of the new high-performance smc PENTAX-DA* lens series.

The SDM system is a new autofocusing motor that provides smoother and quieter AF through the inbuilt supersonic motor. This will only work on the Pentax K10D after a firmware upgrade – on other Pentax DSLRs, conventional AF will still operate.

These new lenses are also sealed against dust and moisture.

Here’s the specs for them.

smc Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8ED AL [IF] SDM
• Lens mount: Pentax KAF2 mount
• Lens construction: 15 elements in 12 groups
• Angle of view: 83-31.5°(when used with Pentax digital SLR camera)
• Aperture control: Automatic
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9
• Metering system: TTL open-aperture metering
• Minimum focusing distance: 0.3 m
• Filter size: 77mm
• Maximum magnification: 0.21X
• Dimensions (DxL): 84mm x 98.5mm (3.3 inches x 3.9 inches)
• Weight: 565g ( 19.9 oz) without hood, 600g ( 21.2 oz) with hood

smc Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8ED [IF] SDM
• Lens mount: Pentax KAF2 mount
• Lens construction: 18 elements in 14 groups
• Angle of view: 31.5-11.9° (when used with Pentax Digital SLR camera)
• Aperture control: Automatic
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9
• Metering system: TTL open-aperture metering
• Minimum focusing distance: 1.0 m
• Filter size: 67mm
• Maximum magnification: 0.17X
• Dimensions (DxL) : 76.5mm x 136mm (3.0 inches x 5.4 inches)
• Weight 685g: ( 24.2 oz) without hood, 765g ( 27.0 oz) with hood

There’s also the possibility of a digital MF, the Pentax 645, with a Kodak designed CCD, however they’ve been saying this for a few years and it hasn’t appeared yet

Digicam-wise, some new Pentax Optio’s have been announced – the W30, A30, T30 and M30.