Buzz at the Pentax forums predicts a new Pentax K20D with built-in GPS capabilities. Pentax has not yet returned an e-mail message seeking confirmation, but speculation is that an announcement could come as early as Tuesday. The rumors stem from a leaked press release on a Greek site that provides details of the camera.
The Pentax K20D is a midrange D.S.L.R. that was introduced earlier this year and is aimed at outdoorsy types (it’s water-resistant). Adding GPS would enable users to geotag photos by embedding a location stamp and mapping the images on sites like Flickr, Picasa, SmugMug and others.
No mainstream digital camera currently offers built-in GPS, although add-ons are available from companies that include Jobo and Sony. These devices cost about $150, and Pentax followers are questioning whether the added cost for built-in GPS will be worth it. The Greek press release mentions that the new model will be priced at less than 1,000 euros (about $1,350, body only). The current K20D had a list price of $1,299 when it was introduced in April, but Pentax later dropped the price to $999.
GPS and geotagging are enticing features for some photo enthusiasts, but too esoteric for others. And not everyone is taking it seriously. “I wonder if it will tell me where I left my lens cap,” one member wrote on the Pentax forum.
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