Hands-on with the Pentax KP

A stylish, high-performance mid-range DSLR

By PF Staff in Hands-On Tests on Feb 9, 2017

Ricoh Imaging's official announcement of the new Pentax KP left us and the community with a number of questions.  Who is this camera for?  Where does it fit in?  What's new and special about it?  How does it compare to the existing Pentax models?

Fortunately, a production version of the KP was on display at WPPI 2017. After handling the KP hands-on and having a Q&A session with Ricoh, we learned a lot about the camera and would like to share its "real" highlights!

The KP's key design aspects include customizability, compactness, and image quality.

K-1 Hands-on First Impressions

PF Staff testing the K-1 at the WPPI Expo in Las Vegas

By PF Staff in Hands-On Tests on Mar 15, 2016

Pentax K-1 with 15-30mm F2.8

Without a doubt, the Pentax K-1 has an impressive list of specifications and new features.  The press releases never tell the whole story, though.  Courtesy of Ricoh Imaging we had access to a pre-production version of the K-1 (firmware 0.48) at WPPI 2016.  We had a chance to test the camera over the course of a 24-hour period with the D FA 15-30mm F2.8, D FA 24-70mm F2.8, D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6, and D FA* 70-200 F2.8 lenses, among others.  This testing gave us valuable insight into what really makes the new Pentax full frame so unique.  Read on for our preliminary evaluation of the K-1.

Disclaimer: the K-1's specifications, features, and performance are all still subject to change; the production model may differ from how it is depicted in this post.  We are not allowed to publish full resolution images from this pre-production model, but we have upload several 2000px sample photos in a separate post for you to analyze.

If you want the conclusion up front: we believe Pentax has a winner with this camera!

Image Quality

We learned from Ricoh Imaging that the K-1 is fitted with the 36-megapixel Sony sensor originally launched in the Nikon D800 (the sensor has been adapted to Pentax engineers' specifications).  To this day, this sensor (most recently tested in the Nikon D810) receives the second-highest full-frame performance benchmark according to DxO labs.  This sets very high expectations for the K-1. 

K-1 Sample w/ D FA 28-105mm @ 37mm (Click to enlarge)

In the field, the K-1 we tested quickly met these expectations.  One of the key appeals of the full-frame format compared to APS-C is improved image quality, especially at higher sensitivity settings.  Consider the scene below.  Even near the limits of the ISO range, the result retains plenty of detail and vibrant colors:

ISO 51,200 Sample @ 15mm (Click to enlarge)

At full resolution, one can even make out the small text on the distant television:

Photos of the same scene shot at other ISO settings (3200 through 204,800) can be found here.

In our opinion, the 36-megapixel resolution delivers an excellent balance of noise performance and detail.  In terms of pixel pitch, this resolution is comparable to 16 megapixels on APS-C— the same used in the acclaimed K-5 series.

For hand-held shooting, the K-1 takes things to a higher level thanks to its updated Shake Reduction II (SR II) system.  In addition to the superb image clarity thanks to the sensor, SR II adds an additional stop of stabilization and works along 5 axes, up from 3.  This gives the user unprecedented flexibility for tripod-free low-light shooting, which arguably surpasses the capabilities of the Pentax 645Z.

Dynamic Range is another key consideration. In this quick-and-dirty test, the K-1 has showed promising shadow and highlight recovery potential, with no shadow or highlight clipping whatsoever.

Unedited JPEG

In-Camera Developed RAW

The K-1 adds a few new settings to its JPEG engine, including variable clarify enhancement (think of it as an in-camera auto levels adjustment) and skin tone correction.  These are features that we will cover in more detail in our in-depth review.

Super Resolution

The K-3 II introduced pixel shift resolution and this feature has been carried over to the K-1, with improvements. The interval between the four shots have been reduced and the stacking algorithm can eliminate artifacts from moving objects such as leaves swaying the wind.  The camera simply reverts to using the original frame for areas in which movement is detected. A tripod is still crucial when shooting in pixel shift mode, but shooting in windy conditions is now much more forgiving.

The video below demonstrates pixel shifting with motion correction enabled:

It is not possible to use pixel shift in connection with flash.

As is common nowadays there is no AA filter in front of the sensor. The K-1 has the inherited the sensor-shift AA filter simulator introduced with the K-3 as well as options to remove moire in-camera from JPGs.

A more detailed analysis of the K-1's image quality will follow in our first impressions review of the production model.

Performance

While out shooting, no aspect of the K-1 ever slowed us down.  The camera was quick to start up, save files, and read photos from the card.  We did not have a chance to test the K-1's burst mode in the field, though the image buffer is much larger than that found in previous Pentax DSLRs: up to 70 JPEG frames at 4.4 FPS in full-frame mode, or 50 RAW frames at 6.5 FPS in APS-C mode.

Buttons and Dials

A number of fundamental design changes have been made to the K-1's user interface.

The Third Command Wheel

One immediately notices the third command wheel on the top of the camera and the related "Smart Dial" which determines the function that can be controlled by the third wheel. The functions that can be controlled are:

• Exposure compensation
• ISO
• Burst speed (low, medium, high)
• Bracketing
• HDR (off, Auto, 1, 2, 3, Adv)
• Viewfinder grid (off, on)
• Shake reduction on/off
• Crop (auto, on, off)
• Wi-Fi (off, on)

These functions can also be set using the traditional control panel which is brought up by pressing the INFO button, entering the menu system, or, in the case of ISO and exposure compensation, by pressing the appropriate button and turning the rear command wheel.

We see this new feature as a convenient shortcut to access and change your most frequently used functions, but the major benefit in our opinion is in controlling ISO, in particular for manual exposure mode shooters.  Thanks to the third command wheel, you can now set shutter speed, aperture, and ISO with each a dedicated wheel.

The bracketing setting only controls the EV value between the brackets. It cannot control the number of shots in each set. For that you must use the drive mode menu as usual. We had hoped that both parameters could be set, in other words it would be nice to get back the convenience of a dedicated bracketing button like on the K10D.

The rear monitor is where you can see the value being set for all of the features:

Status screen showing the crop mode set with the smart dial

For most of the functions the viewfinder will also show the setting being made (exposure comp, ISO, bracketing, grid, shake reduction, and crop). The top LCD can only show the ISO and EV compensation.

It should be noted that if you have set the rear monitor to always off in shooting mode then it will stay off even when the third command wheel is used. We think it would have been preferable if the user could select whether or not the rear monitor should come on when the third wheel is moved, but that's a minor gripe.

One side-effect of the addition of the third command wheel is that the size of the top LCD has been reduced.  The top LCD is somewhat harder to read, and it can no longer indicate the active parameter in Hyper Program mode.

Pentax 16-85mm First Impressions Review

A sharp everyday zoom with a wide field of view

By PF Staff in Hands-On Tests on Feb 16, 2015

The time has come for us to offer a preliminary analysis the latest Pentax standard zoom lens, the HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR.  We feel that it's only natural to evaluate this lens alongside the SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm ED AL [IF] DC WR and SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm AL WR: the current premium and standard weather sealed kit lens choices, respectively. The 16-85mm should be considered a higher-end alternative to either lens with an emphasis on image quality and a wider field of view.

Other highlights of the 16-85mm include weather sealing, silent autofocus, HD coating, and a very convenient zoom range.  It can be considered an all-in-one go-to lens for photographers who prefer wide-angle photography over telephoto but do not want something bulky like an F2.8 zoom.

Pentax K-S2 First Impressions Review

New Wi-Fi enabled weather sealed DSLR

By PF Staff in Hands-On Tests on Apr 6, 2015

Today we will be taking a closer look at the Pentax K-S2, Pentax's latest mid-range DSLR that has now been on the market for about six weeks.  We find the K-S2 to be one of the best Pentax DSLRs to date. In addition to being a highly-attractive camera for just about anyone who wants to make a serious entry into the world of photography, the K-S2 also presents itself as a viable upgrade path for existing Pentax users who are still shooting with older bodies.  In terms of performance and image quality, only the K-3 flagship tops it.

The K-S2 introduces a host of new refinements on top of the already-impressive range of features offered by its predecessor, the Pentax K-50.  Most notably, the K-S2 is the first Pentax DSLR to offer built-in Wi-Fi and a fully-articulating LCD screen. In addition, its sensor, autofocus module, and menu systems have been upgraded.  Like the K-50, weather sealing protects it from the elements, and dual control wheels ensure easy access to key shooting settings. 

Another important improvement to the K-S2 lies in its kit lens: the new Pentax 18-50mm features silent autofocus, weather-sealing, and an ultra-compact collapsible design.

It might be tempting to see the K-S2 as a successor to the Pentax K-S1, but this is not the case.  While the K-S2 does inherit some hardware from the K-S1, the design philosophy behind it is much more traditional and in line with previous mid-range cameras like the K-50, K-30, and K200D.

At a glance: K-S2 vs K-50

• Higher resolution 20-megapixel sensor
• Filterless sensor design, AA filter simulator
• Articulating LCD screen
• 3:2 LCD aspect ratio
• Built-in Wi-Fi/NFC for tethering
• Low-light AF support (-3EV)
• New in-camera image processing options
• Face-lifted menu system
• Redesigned kit lens w/ silent AF
• External mic and HDMI
• (-) Slightly slower burst shooting
• (-) No AA adapter support

See also: our first impressions of the SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE

Now, without further ado, let us see what the K-S2 is capable of and how its new features work.

Pentax K-3 II Pixel Shift Resolution Tests

Greatly increased image quality for static subjects

By PF Staff in Hands-On Tests on Jun 21, 2015

Our testing of the Pentax K-3 II is now well underway, and in our first hands-on evaluation of the camera, we will be focusing on the key feature unique to it: Pixel Shift Resolution.  This is a type of super resolution technology that can greatly enhance the detail in images, and we are eager to show you what it is capable of.  No other Pentax body currently uses this technology, and the only competitor that offers something similar is the Olympus OM-D E-M5— unless you have an extra $45,000 to spend on a Hasselblad H5D-200c.

If you are unfamiliar with the Pentax K-3 II, head over to the official announcement and highlights prior to reading this article.  Similarly, if you have never heard of pixel shifting, check out our in-depth article on how it works, as we will only be looking at the technology from a practical perspective today.

We plan to limit the scope of this post to pixel shifting; other new features in the K-3 II will be discussed in our upcoming first impressions and in-depth reviews.  Without further ado, let's see just how much detail we can squeeze out of the K-3 II when pixel shifting is enabled!