Pentax K-1 Low-Light and Pixel Shift Samples

Full-size sample photo downloads

By PF Staff in Hands-On Tests on May 10, 2016

We are happy to be bringing you another set of full-size Pentax K-1 sample photos!  For this batch, we tested a handful of consumer zooms such as the F 35-70mm, F 35-105mm, FA 28-105mm F4-5.6, and FA 80-320mm.  This testing showed that the older lenses— while sharp in the center— tend to struggle near the edges of the frame.  Vignetting was also pronounced yet easily correctable in post.

We also tested the FA* 85mm F1.4, which proved to be a stellar performer all around— and even better when combined with the K-1's lens correction profiles which effectively compensate for aberrations.  In addition to the FA* 85mm, the K-1 includes full-frame profiles for the FA* 24mm, FA 28mm, FA 31mm Ltd., FA 35mm, FA 43mm Ltd., FA 50mm F1.4, FA 77mm Ltd., FA* 85mm, FA* 200mm, FA* 200mm Macro, FA* 300mm F2.8, FA* 300mm F4.5, FA* 400mm, FA* 600mm, FA* 28-70mm, FA* 80-200mm, FA* 250-600mm, DA* 200mm, DA* 300mm, DA 560mm, plus all DA and FA Limited APS-C profiles also found in earlier Pentax DSLRs (learn more in the K-1 lens compatibility guide).

Click on any thumbnail below for a larger, post-processed version of the corresponding photo.  Below each thumbnail you'll find links to unedited out-of-camera JPEG and RAW files.  Note that pixel shift and HDR RAW files are on the order of 150Mb each.

All photos were hand-held except when noted otherwise. 

Daytime Samples

F 35-70mm @ 70mm, F8, ISO 100 JPEG | RAW	F 35-105mm @ 93mm, F9, ISO 100 JPEG | RAW
F 35-105mm @ 70mm, F6.3, ISO 200 JPEG | RAW	F 35-105mm @ 105mm, F6.3, ISO 200 JPEG | RAW
FA* 85mm, F8, ISO 100 (tripod) JPEG | RAW	FA* 85mm, F10, ISO 100 (HDR in post / tripod) JPEG | RAW
F 35-105mm @ 40mm, F5.6, ISO 200 JPEG | RAW	FA* 85mm, F6.3, ISO 100 (Advanced HDR / tripod) JPEG | RAW
F 35-105mm @ 48mm, F7.1, ISO 200 JPEG | RAW

Note that due to unimpressive performance, we did not include samples from the FA 28-105 or FA 80-320mm.  More daytime samples can be found in this post.

Low-Light Samples

The K-1's effective shake reduction combined with its impressive high-ISO performance yielded some very clear hand-held low-light photos.

FA* 85mm, F6.3, ISO 3200 JPEG | RAW
FA* 85mm, F4.5, 1/25s, ISO 3200 JPEG | RAW	FA* 85mm, F7.1, 1/25s, ISO 12800 JPEG | RAW
FA* 85mm, F5.6, 1/10s, ISO 6400 JPEG | RAW	FA* 85mm, F5, 1/15s, ISO 3200 JPEG | RAW
FA* 85mm, F5, 1/10s, ISO 6400 JPEG | RAW	FA* 85mm, F5, 1/60s, ISO 6400 JPEG | RAW

Pixel Shift Samples

This set of photos compares the same scene with and without pixel shifting.  Notice that pixel shifting not only increases the level of detail in the scene, but it also improves color accuracy!

FA* 85mm, F8, 1/30s, ISO 100 (PS off / tripod) JPEG | RAW

FA* 85mm, F8, 1/30s, ISO 100 (PS on / tripod) JPEG | RAW

Stay tuned for additional samples from current lenses (i.e. the D FA 24-70mm, D FA 28-105mm, and D FA 15-30mm) later this week.

Visit the lens database for information info on the lenses we used, or read more about the K-1 in our ongoing homepage coverage.

The latest community buzz can always be found in the Pentax K-1 forum.

Want to get a K-1?  There's still a wait in the US, but you can order today to secure your place in line:

• Order the Pentax K-1 at B&H Photo
• Order the Pentax K-1 at Adorama