The integration of GPS technology into cameras are extremely useful – especially when you’ve taken a whole tour of Europe, and can’t really remember just where you were when that particular photo was taken. Well, Pentax has jumped aboard the GPS bandwagon with the O-GPS1 unit that will deliver basic location data alongside an array of original features. Meant for use only with Pentax digital SLR cameras (obviously), the Pentax O-GPS1 is capable of recording the latitude, longitude, altitude, coordinated universal time (UTC) and aspect of the location you are at.
Other applications include ASTROTRACER, Simple Navigation and an Electronic Compass. The ASTROTRACER function will be available when the unit is mounted on the Pentax K-5 or K-r, where it will work in tandem with the camera’s magnet-driven Shake Reduction system in order to compensate for the Earth’s rotation, hence letting you shoot stars just like how you view them instead of as star trails, although the latter has churned out some pretty pictures in the past as well.
Since it also boasts a “simplified weather-resistant construction”, the Pentax O-GPS1 is perfectly fine under light rain, making it the perfect companion to the K-5 camera and WR lenses. Expect the Pentax O-GPS1 to retail for £229.99 from the middle of this month onwards, while us living on the other side of the pond will have to wait until next month at a $249.95 price point.