Pentax MZ-S

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Pentax MZ-S with lens and hood.
Pentax MZ-S with lens and hood.

The Pentax MZ-S is a 35mm single-lens reflex camera from Pentax of Japan. It was introduced in 2001[1] and discontinued in February 2006.[2] It is closely related to the prototype MZ-D digital SLR, which never entered production.[3] It was the top-of-the-line model of Pentax's MZ/ZX series and replaced the PZ-1p as the high-end Pentax camera.[4] No camera was produced to replace the MZ-S, making it Pentax's last high-end 35 mm camera.

[edit] Design

The MZ-S was a "clean sheet of paper" design that re-thought most aspects of Pentax's camera interface and appearance.[5] Design goals included simpler operation, small size and light weight without sacrificing the sophisticated features required to be competitive. The MZ-S design returned to a more conventional one compared to the PZ-1p; the shoe for external flash and accessories returned to the top of the pentaprism housing, instead of the unusual right-handgrip position used on the older camera. The status LCD moved from atop the pentaprism to the top of the camera's right side (viewed from the rear), like many competing designs. However, instead of a flat camera top, the Pentax designers angled the top plate towards the user at a 30° angle for easier viewing.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pentax. History of Innovations 2000-Present. Retrieved on September 18, 2006.
  2. ^ Grad, Orin (2006-02-12). Pentax Holds a Product Massacre Too. The Online Photographer. Retrieved on September 18, 2006. Cites Japanese-language sources.
  3. ^ Asahi Optical Historical Club (2000-10-20). Cameras. Photokina 2002 report. Retrieved on September 18, 2006.
  4. ^ Dimitrov, Bojidar. Z-1p / PZ-1p. K-Mount Pages. Retrieved on September 18, 2006.
  5. ^ Asahi Optical Historical Club. MZ-S Story. Retrieved on September 18, 2006.

[edit] External links

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