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The Pentax P3N, an upgrade of the Pentax P3, hits the shelves. It is an AE model for general consumers. It comes with a manual exposure control function, lever winding mechanism, and aperture-priority.
The IQZoom 700 is introduced. It is a thin zoom compact camera with a 35-70mm lens stored compactly in the body.
The top-of-the-line IQZoom 900 compact model equipped with at 38mm-90mm lens is introduced with the biggest zoom ratio at the time it entered the market.
Pentax unveils the Pentax PC-303 and Pentax PC-505, which feature Autofocus, auto programmed exposure, auto flash, auto film handling, self timer, and DX film speed setting.
Pentax markets its second Autofocus 35mm SLR, the Pentax SF-1. It not only offers top-class AF accuracy and speed, it is the world's first AF SLR with built-in auto flash.
The IQZoom 70, an upgraded companion model of the IQZoom, is released. It features slow synchro and flash-off options and the outer appearance is more refined.
The IQZoom 60, a compact camera with 38mm-60mm zoom lens is released.
The Pentax SF-10, an easy to use Autofocus 35mm SLR with retractable TTL auto flash and the sister model of the SF-1 is introduced.
Pentax releases the Pentax Mini Sport 35 AF and the Pentax SF1n. The SF1n, an upgraded version of the SF-1, has auto bracketing, faster focusing, smoother and quieter motorized film advance.
The IQZoom is named "Best Compact Camera in Europe 1987-88" by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) and "European Compact Camera of the Year 1987-88" by the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA).
The SF-10 wins the "Design Selection 1989" award in West Germany.
Pentax introduces the world's first fully automatic compact 35mm camera is introduced with a built-in zoom lens, the IQZoom. Its 35mm-70mm power zoom is operated with a lever located in back. The viewfinder and flash also move in conjunction with the zoom, and when switched to Macro mode, the camera can take pictures of objects as close as two feet away.
The Pentax Auto Sport (PC-333) and the Pentax Ultra Sport (PC-555) are released as the newest in Pentax's Rangefinder line. Both are fully automatic cameras with program AE and infrared active AF. The Ultra Sport has a built-in automatic pop-up flash.
The Pentax Mini Sport 35M, a compact 35mm camera which incorporates a "close-up" function, can be used with the unit's flash to produce candid, up-close shots at 1/20x life-size magnification.
Mr. Masa Tanaka is appointed president of Pentax Corporation effective July 1, 1985. Mr. Tanaka was head of the Domestic Sales Division of Asahi prior to his new appointment.
The Pentax A3000, a fully automatic SLR, is introduced. Its automated features include: exposure, film loading and winding, and film speed setting with DX-coded film. The A3000 was the world's first 35mm SLR camera to utilize the DX film sensing system. This new SLR also allows for creative flexibility with features such as: aperture-priority, backlight compensation and a 12-second self-timer. The camera's Pentax KA bayonet lens mount makes it compatible with more than 50 Pentax lenses.
The compact and lightweight (only 7.4 ounces) Pentax Pino 35M is added to the leaf-shutter camera line. Three easy to set exposure options are available, and its fixed-focus lens keeps everything from 1.2 meters to infinity in sharp focus.
The Pentax P5 is introduced, featuring five modes: dual program (program action and program depth), aperture priority, as well as metered manual and program flash mode. The desired mode is selected on the large LCD pictogram located on top of the camera.
Pentax introduces the Pentax P3, another addition to its 35mm SLR programmed camera line. It offers three exposure modes: programmed automatic, metered manual, and programmed automatic flash.
The Super Sport 35 is named "Compact Camera of the Year 1985" by Camera Weekly, a leading photographic magazine in the United Kingdom.
The Pentax 67 wins "Special Prize in '85 Long-life Design Selection" in Japan.
Pentax introduces its second leaf-shutter sport model, the Super Sport 35 (PC 35AF-M). The new addition offers all of the features of the Sport 35, plus a built-in auto winder, fully automatic loading and automatic film speed setting using the Kodak-pioneered DX coding system. The Super Sport 35 is the world's first non SLR camera to incorporate the DX film sensing system.
Pentax introduces the Program Plus, the second camera in the Pentax Program series. The Program Plus uses the same system of lenses and accessories as the Super Program. Four exposure modes are available: programmed automatic, aperture priority automatic, coupled metered manual and programmed automatic flash.
Pentax produces the world's first multi-mode medium format camera, the Pentax 645. Incorporating the most up-to-date SLR technology and with a compact design, the Pentax 645 with its 6x4.5cm of image area offers seven exposure modes: programmed automatic, aperture priority automatic, shutter-priority automatic, metered manual automatic, TTL auto flash, programmed auto flash and leaf-shutter lens. The Pentax 645 features fast-access electronic push-button controls and is uniquely designed for hand-held, eye-level shooting.
The Super Sport 35 receives the "l984 'G' Mark Award for Good Design" from the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
The innovative Pentax Super Program wins the "European Compact Camera of the Year 1983-84" by the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) for its technological perfection.
The 645 receives the "1984 'G' Mark Award for Good Design" from the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry and is named "Professional Camera of the Year 1985" by Camera Weekly, a leading photographic magazine in the United Kingdom.
The Pentax Auto 110 Super has all the features of the Auto 110, but includes a focusing screen with a split image surrounded by a microprism collar, making focusing quick and easy with any of the six accessory lenses, single stroke film advance and a self timer.
Pentax introduces the Pentax Super Program, the first in a series of programmed cameras with six modes or six ways to shoot: programmed, aperture priority, shutter priority, metered manual, programmed auto flash and TTL auto flash. Today the Super Program is thought to be the camera that served as a bridge between conventional mechanical cameras and today's high-tech models. Later in the year Pentax designs a new motor drive system for the Super Program called Motor Drive A. It features dual shutter releases for horizontal and vertical camera positions and single frame or continuous operation.
The Pentax MG is released. Its lightweight design makes it particularly attractive for photographers who demand fast handling, easy carrying and high quality results without a costly price tag.
Pentax introduces its first 35mm non-SLR camera, the Sport 35 (PC35AF). Featuring Autofocus, automatic exposure, and a stylish design, the Sport 35 quickly becomes a top selling model in this fast-growing category.
The world's first TTL autofocus camera (Pentax ME-F, 1981)
The first camera manufacturer to reach the production milestone of 10 million SLR cameras (Asahi Optical, 1981)
Pentax LX is introduced as the finest quality Pentax at the time. It was named LX (the Roman numeral for 60) in commemoration of Asahi Optical's 60th anniversary. The 35mm professional camera attracted a great deal of attention for its interchangeable viewfinder, weather-resistance, direct metering automatic exposure control, and titanium horizontal-run shutter. It featured rugged construction and special seals against dust and moisture. It also has aperture-priority automatic, manual and through-the-lens (TTL) flash, and incorporates an integrated light metering cell measuring directly off the film plane.
The Pentax ME-F, the world's first TTL SLR Autofocus camera is introduced. It will take the market another decade before Autofocus becomes a widely accepted feature.
Pentax's parent corporation, Asahi Optical, becomes the first camera manufacturer to reach the production milestone of 10 million SLR cameras.
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