Ricoh’s newest DSLR is built to last. The new Pentax K-70 boasts a dust and weather-resistant body alongside a few features first introduced on higher-end Pentax models.

It sports a 24-megapixel sensor with a maximum ISO of 102,400. Also new is a Hybrid AF system that uses both image-plane phase-matching and contrast-detection autofocus technology to keep pace with moving subjects. As a result, the K-70 will be the company’s first DSLR to support continuous AF during video recording.

The K-70 also features the company’s Pixel Shift Resolution System that uses the camera’s shifting sensor to create an ultra-high resolution, low noise image from a compilation of multiple exposes, each with the sensor moved a tiny increment. The system has been updated with a motion correction function that detects a moving object in the scene to prevent blur when shooting in Pixel Shift.

Additional features include:

an AA Filter Simulator that effectively eliminates moiré without the need for an anti-aliasing filter

a variable-tilt LCD monitor

in-body stabilizer good for up to 4.5 stops of shake reduction

Wi-Fi

a red-light display function which keeps ambient light from interfering with astro- and nightscape photography

low light focusing to -3 eV

top shutter speed of 1/6000 sec.

full HD video recording

Ricoh wouldn’t disclose precisely when the K-70 would ship, presumably because of the supply disruption caused by April’s Earthquake in Japan. However, the company said the K-70 would retail for $650.

HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE

In addition to the new DSLR, Pentax is releasing a new telephoto lens. Like the K-70, this lens is weather-resistant telephoto zoom with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 84.5-460mm. It has a minimum focusing distance of 37.4 inches.

Like the K-70, precise availability was not announced but the lens will retail for $400 when it finally hits store shelves.