Pentax K-1 II Preliminary Specifications

Improved image quality and high ISO performance

By PF Staff in Pentax Rumors on Feb 14, 2018

Japanese rumor site Digicame Info has just leaked what appear to be credible specifictions for the Pentax K-1 II- an upcoming replacement for the Pentax K-1, slated to become Pentax's second fully frame DSLR to hit the market.

Based on the specifications below, it appears that the K-1 II will inherit the exceptional high-ISO performance we saw thanks to the image accellerator unit that originally debuted in the Pentax KP and K-70.  This should help the K-1 II deliver clearer files than any other full frame in its class.  Thanks to the addition of this hardware, the maximum ISO of the K-1 II is also being increased by 2 stops to ISO 819,200.

However, the K-1 II will otherwise be identical to the original K-1.  There appear to be no changes to the autofocus system or other core functions.

Of course, these preliminary leaked specifications are unconfirmed and subject to change.  The K-1 II may have additional new software or hardware features not covered here.

K-1 Mark II will be announced soon, replacing the current K - 1. K-1 Mark II will also be released with a kit with D FA 28-105 mm F 3.5-5.6. The price in North America is $ 1999.95 for the body only, and the kit with 28 - 105 mm will be $ 2399.95. The highlights of the K - 1 Mark II are as follows.

- The maximum sensitivity is ISO 819,200 for stills and ISO 25600 for videos
- Updated Pixel Shift Resolution II
- Equipped with original accelerator unit adapted to PRIME IV, a 14-bit processing image processing engine that effectively reduces noise and maintains detail and rich color even at high sensitivity

Source: Digicame Info

We expect the K-1 II to make its official debut in the coming weeks.  We will be covering the news live from the CP+ show in Japan in early March.

What to get a great deal on the original Pentax K-1 while it lasts?  Sign up for a price alert and we'll e-mail you if it drops in price!  You can learn all about the Pentax K-1 in our in-depth review.

Pentax K-1 II On the Horizon

Potentially to be announced in late February

By PF Staff in Pentax Rumors on Feb 6, 2018

Chatter about a successor to the acclaimed Pentax K-1 has been growing over the course of the past weeks.  It all started with an unexpected tweet by Nokishita Camera (historically known for accurate leaks) claiming that we will see a "Pentax K-1 II" announced at the upcoming CP+ trade show, due to be held from March 1-4 in Japan. 

Today, Ricoh Imaging's Czech Facebook page announced end of K-1 production.  This adds a strong justification for the prior rumors of a K-1 successor and we are thus confident that such a camera is just around the corner.

Interestingly, the Pentax K-3 II was recently marked as discontinued on the official Japanese Pentax web site.  It's therefore possible that we will soon not only see a K-1 II full frame, but also a successor to Pentax's aging APS-C flagship.  As of the writing of this post, the K-1 remains listed as a current model, so don't fear that it will vanish from the shelves overnight.  The same goes for the K-3 II; usually it takes several months for stock to actually clear out at retailers (and during this period you may come across juicy offers such as this one).

How much truth is there to these two rumors?  We'll soon find out! As usual, we will be covering the CP+ show to report on any potential news and conduct our annual interview with the Pentax team.

DA★ 11-18mm and D FA★ 50mm on the Horizon

Two pro-series K-mount lenses

By PF Staff in Pentax Rumors on Oct 26, 2017

Both the APS-C and full frame Pentax K-mount lens lines are about to be bolstered with the imminent launch of two new pro-series lenses: the DA★ 11-18mm F2.8 and the D FA★ 50mm F1.4, as revealed by leaks from the Japanese store Nokishita Camera.

While we currently know little about these lenses, they will both receive the ★ (star) designation, which denotes Pentax's top-of-the-line lenses. You can therefore expect features such as All Weather sealing, HD coating, reliable silent autofocus, and precise full-time manual focus override.

We previously saw a prototype of the 50mm at the CP+ show earlier this year.  While the 11-18mm wasn't mentioned back then, a mysterious wide-angle zoom had previously been roadmapped.  The 50mm is the first prime lens to join the digital-era full-frame lens lineup, and we very have high expectations for its image quality.

We expect these lenses to be on display at the PhotoPlus show in New York, which will take place this weekend.  We will provide coverage directly from the show and publish more details as they become available.  Until then, please feel free to chime in on the rumor discussion on the forum:

Discuss the Pentax 11-18mm F2.8 and 50mm F1.4 on the forum

Pentax K-1 Limited Silver Coming Soon!

Special edition of the Pentax full frame DSLR

By PF Staff in Pentax Rumors on Aug 23, 2017

Nokishita Camera in Japan has recently shared that a special limited silver edition of the Pentax K-1 DSLR may be on its way in the coming weeks.  Here's what we know so far; bear in mind this information is not official:

  • Limited production of 2,000 units worldwide
  • Includes special silver version of D-BG6 battery grip
  • Silver color matching FA limited lenses
  • Japanese MSRP of 297,000 JPY (approx. $2700 USD)
  • To be released on September 14th
  • Reservations start on August 24th

2017 has been a very quiet to date in terms of Pentax DSLR news— beside the KP launch in January and the D FA* 50mm F1.4 teaser in February, we haven't seen any new products in recent months.  It looks like things may change in the Fall!

While it's certainly hard to come across each limited edition Pentax model after the initial sale, historically we have seen at least one special version of every flagship Pentax K-mount DSLR launched to date.  Here's a quick overview:

Stay tuned for the latest official information about the K-1 Silver!

Pentax K-70 Specifications Leaked

New entry-level APS-C model

By PF Staff in Pentax Rumors on Jun 6, 2016

Tentative specifications for the upcoming Pentax K-70 have been leaked over on Digicame Info.  We present them below, translated from Japanese.

Based on the specifications, the Pentax K-70 appears to be a modernized version of the entry-level Pentax K-50, with the sensor for the Pentax K-3 and many newer features from the K-S2, such as the articulating LCD and built-in Wi-Fi.  The K-70 will also have the customizable control panel that we saw on the Pentax K-1.

The K-70 may have a hybrid live view/video focusing system with PDAF points on the sensor.  If it does, it will be first Pentax to offer this technology.

Pentax K-70 Key Specifications

Sensor
Sensor Resolution 24 MP
Sensor Size APS-C
AA Filter No, AA Filter Simulator available

Super Resolution

Yes, Pixel Shift Resolution
ISO Range
100-204,800
Image Capture
Shutter Speeds 30s-1/6000s (up to 300s in Astrotracer mode)
Stabilization Sensor-shift Shake Reduction
Light Meter 77-segment
Max Frame Rate (buffer) H: 6.0 fps (40 JPG, 10 RAW)
Focusing
AF System and Modes * SAFOX X: 11-point phase detect (9 cross-type)
   w/ AF.S, AF.C

* Live View: contrast hybrid AF (new)
* AF assist LED
AF Sensitivity -3 to 18 EV
Focus Peaking Yes
Movie Mode
Video Mode

1080i: 60/50 fps
1080p: 30/25/24 fps
720p: 60/50 fps
Interval movie: 4K


MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (.MOV)

Clips up to 4GB / 25 minutes

AF During Video Yes, contrast hybrid AF
Flash
Built-in Flash Yes
Flash Sync. 1/180 s
Hot Shoe Yes
General
Viewfinder Pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.95x magnification
LCD 3.0-inch, 921,000 dot
3:2 aspect ratio
Vari-angle design
Night vision design
Processing Engine PRIME M II
Weather Sealed Yes
Battery D-LI109 rechargeable
Media Slot(s) 1 SDXC / SDHC / SD
Wi-Fi
Built-in
GPS Via O-GPS1
Tethering Support Wireless tethering
w/ Image Sync
Dimensions (WxHxD) 125.5 x 93.0 x 74.0 mm
Weight
688g with battery and SD card

As always, these are just rumored specifications and our speculations.  This are always subject to change and we won't know more until the camera is officially announced.  What unique characteristics do you think the K-70 will have?  What features would you like to see?  Post in the comments or  follow more buzz on the forum.

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