Pentax O-GPS2 Clip-On GPS Unit

Ricoh Imaging is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX O-GPS2, a versatile GPS unit designed for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras. Developed as the successor to the PENTAX O-GPS1, the PENTAX O-GPS2 provides reliable and high-precision positioning data gathered from GPS in the U.S., QZSS in Japan, GLONASS and Galileo.When the PENTAX O-GPS2 is mounted on a compatible PENTAX digital SLR camera, the user can record the latitude, longitude, altitude, universal time coordinated (UTC) and aspect of shooting locations onto captured images. Image files carrying the location data can be used to track shooting locations and review location data on a PC. The location data stored on such files also makes it much easier to sort and file recorded images.By coupling the location data with the camera's SR (Shake Reduction) system, the unit offers a range of unique, advanced applications, including ASTROTRACER function, which makes it easy to capture stellar images of the night sky, Simple Navigation function, which calculates the direction and distance to a given destination from a current position, and Electronic Compass function which displays the camera's direction on its LCD monitor with great precision.GPS function for effortless recording of shooting location dataThe O-GPS2 mounts on the hotshoe of a compatible camera and records the latitude, longitude, altitude, universal time coordinated (UTC) and direction of the shooting location onto captured images. In addition to GPS in the US and QZSS in Japan, GLONASS and Galileo can be newly received.ASTROTRACER simplifies astrophotographyWhen mounted on the corresponding PENTAX digital SLR cameras body, the O-GPS2 also offers the advanced ASTROTRACER function, which couples the unit with the camera's SR (Shake Reduction) system for the effortless tracing and photography of celestial bodies.The unit calculates the movement of stars, planets and other bodies using the latitude obtained from the location data and the camera's alignment data (horizontal and vertical inclinations and aspect) obtained from its magnetic and acceleration sensors, then shifts the camera's image sensor in synchronization with the movement of the objects. In the resulting image, stars and other bodies are captured as solid points rather than blurry streaks, even during extended exposures. It also makes astrophotography much simpler, as it requires only a tripod and eliminates the need for an additional accessory such as an equatorial telescope.In addition to the normal ASTROTRACER: Type 1, ASTROTRACER: Type 2, available only when the O-GPS2 is used with the PENTAX K-3 Mark III, makes the image sensor follow the movement of the celestial body at half the speed of the Type 1. The photographer can suppress the flow of the landscape on the ground and shoot both the stars and the landscape in a well-balanced manner.Simple Navigation calculates location data for destinationsThe O-GPS2 offers a Simple Navigation function, which calculates the direction and distance to a given destination from the current position. The user can either locate destinations using location data stored on recorded images, or register and/or assign them by uploading location data created on a PC.Electronic Compass function indicates and records directionThe O-GPS2 has an Electronic Compass function which displays the camera's direction on its LCD monitor with great precision. Using its magnetic sensor and the location data, the unit indicates the aspect in relation to true north. The user can also record directional data on captured images.