| Pentax Autofocus Bayonet Cameras | |||||
Pentax developed the first mass-produced autofocus SLR, the ME-F, four years before the famous Minolta 7000. The ME-F featured a special variation of the K-bayonet, with electrical contacts for data exchange between body and the special lens with built in focusing motor. This same AF concept was then successfully developed by Canon. The second- generation Pentax AF camera, the SFX, was introduced in 1987, and followed the Minolta concept of focusing motor inside the body. A whole new line of AF lenses was developed, called SMC Pentax-F. With the introduction of the Z-series cameras in late 1991, SMC Pentax-FA lenses introduced power zooming and advanced electronics, also featuring the subject distance detection. This same concept of distance measurement was then followed by Nikon, with their D-series lenses. It often happened that Pentax "forgot" to take advantage of its own world's firsts from the commercial point of view, so that other manufacturers arriving years later are capable to get the public merit and turn it into commercial success. The above mentioned episode of the AF is probably the most evident example of that, but unfortunately there are many more. |
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Japan |
International |
USA |
Comments | Introd. | Disc. |
| ME-F | ME-F | ME-F | First AF SLR - Kf bayonet | 10 / 1981 | 1984 |
| SFX | SFX | SF-1 | KAf bayonet | 2 / 1987 | 1988 |
| SF-7 | SF-7 | SF-10 | 9 / 1988 | 1991 | |
| SFXn | SFXn | SF-1n | Improved SFX | 11 / 1988 | 1991 |
| Z-10 | Z-10 | PZ-10 | 10 / 1991 | 1994 | |
| Z-1 | Z-1 | PZ-1 | Top class SLR | 1 / 1992 | 1994 |
| Z-5 | not sold |
not sold |
Japanese home market only | 1992? | 1995? |
not sold |
Z-20 | PZ-20 | 1993 | 1995 | |
| Z-20p | not sold |
not sold |
Japanese home market only | 7 / 1993 | 1995 |
| Z50p | Z50p | PZ-50p? | 1994 | 1996 | |
| Z-1 SE | Z-1 SE | PZ-1 SE | 75th Anniversary model sold in presentation box with 28-70 f/2.8 lens and data back | 12/1993 | 1994 |
| Z-1p | Z-1p | PZ-1p | 9 / 1994 | 2000 | |
| Z-5p | not sold |
not sold |
Japanese home market only | 1995? | 1997 |
| Z-70p | not sold |
not sold |
Japanese home market only | 1995 | 1997 |
not sold |
Z-70 | PZ-70 | 5 / 1995 | 1997 | |
| MZ-5 QD | not sold |
not sold |
Japanese home market only | 1995 | not yet |
not sold |
MZ-5 | ZX-5 | Compact AF SLR. Retro style. User friendly controls. | 12 / 1995 | 1997 |
| MZ-10 | MZ-10 | ZX-10 | 6 / 1996 | 2000 | |
| MZ-50 | MZ-50 | ZX-50 | 2 / 1997 | not yet | |
| MZ-3 QD | MZ-3 QD | not sold |
6 / 1997 | not yet | |
| MZ-5n | ZX-5n | Introduced Feb. 2001 in Japan | 7 / 1997 | not yet | |
| MZ-3 SE | not sold |
not sold |
Special Edition, chrome, sold with 43mm f/1.9 Limited lens. Japanese home market only | 6 / 1998 | 1998 |
| MZ-7 | MZ-7 | ZX-7 | 8 / 1999 | not yet | |
| MZ-30 | MZ-30 | ZX-30 | 4 / 2000 | not yet | |
| MZ-3 LTD | not sold |
not sold |
Limited Edition, black, sold with 43mm f/1.9 Limited lens. Japanese home market only | 11 / 2000 | not yet |
| MZ-S | MZ-S | MZ-S | New generation AF camera | 2 / 2001 | not yet |
| MZ-L | MZ-6 | ZX-L | Introduced 02/2002 in USA | 10 / 2001 | not yet |
| MZ-60 | MZ-60 | ZX-60 | 02 / 2002 | not yet | |
Japan |
International |
USA |
Comments | Introd. | Disc. |
 |
Page updated 30th October 2002