New Pentax K-r goes 6fps, moves to SAFOX IX, and offers semi-true LiIon/AA battery choice (updated)

The Pentax K-x was a surprising success for Pentax, so now they have to deal with the "sophomore album" issue. What do you do to build upon the success? The Pentax K-r may be part of their answer...

Fans of megapixel-restraint will be thrilled that the Pentax K-r is using a 12mp CMOS sensor, resisting the siren's call of 14/16/18mp. Fans of battery choice will also be thrilled that the camera is now offering a semi-true choice - you can use the included LiIon battery or use four AA batteries with an adapter (see the Optcyzne.pl link below for close-ups). Frankly it is rather surprising it took SLR manufacturers that long to do this.

UPDATE: Judging by the "What's in the Box" and "Specifications" (Power Supply section) at the Pentax Imaging website, the AA battery holder (D-BH-109) is an optional product, not included in the camera box. Antenna-gate? [BOO!]

The camera has a faster burst mode, at 6fps and a deeper buffer than the K-x, and it moves to the SAFOX IX (nine) 11-points autofocus system. The ISO range gets extended by one stop, the regular maximum is now 12800 and it can be expanded to 25600.

The display is a fixed 3-inch (921K dots), larger than the 2.7" (230k) of the K-x. Video remains at 720p which may disappoint fans of 1080 recording. On the plus side, one of the consistent K-x complaints was fixed with the K-r: focus points in the viewfinder

One more thing, we pre-apologize for all future typos where we will write "K-x" when we really mean "K-r" :) Maybe we need to give the cameras code-names: K-x = K-Xena, and K-r = K-Rambo ;-)

Hands-on, samples, and previews of the Pentax K-r
+ hands-on at Quesabesde with full-size samples and 5-minute video hands-on [NEW!]
+ two-page preview at dpreview
+ DSLR Magazine (bottom half of the long article) including web-size pictures
+ preview at Imaging Resource
+ Optyczne.pl - closeups of the battery flexibility and videos of film modes
+ Photography Blog - hands-on with the camera body

Preview video from WDC and PentaxUSA

Official announcements
+ Yvon's Pentax DSLRs blog
+ DigitalReview.ca
+ Imaging Insider
+ Photoscala
+ Focus Numerique
+ Fotopolis.pl
+ Quesabesde
+ initial monthly production is 28,000 units per month says Pentax Japan [NEW!]

Opinions and reactions
+ PentaxForums forums
+ Rice High blog
+ Enticing the Light
+ dpreview Pentax forum
+ Would you upgrade to it? (dpreview Pentax forum)

Prices and availability
In the USA market, the camera is estimated to begin shipping in October. The body only will start at $800, while the kit with the 18-55mm for $850. Pentax will also offer two two-lens kits just like the K-x, the 18-55/50-200mm for $900 and the 18-55/55-300mm for $1000. The initial prices seem to hint that Pentax is "nudging" buyers to the first two-lens kit. The aforementioned kits are avaiable for pre-order at Amazon at the aforementioned prices, in black, white and red camera bodies.

In Europe, the body-only will start at 650 euro, and the kit with the 18-55mm lens for 700 euro.