Pentax Full Frame DSLR Officially Announced

Reference Product at CP+ 2015

By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Feb 4, 2015

It has been a long wait.  Die-hard Pentaxians have been craving a full-frame camera for what seemed like an eternity.  The lack of such a camera caused many to leave the brand, explore other paths, and even engage in debates about just about every potential aspect of this mythical DSLR.  As of the writing of this article, our Pentax Full Frame forum contains some 24,000 posts: more than sections about real cameras such as the K-30 & K-50.

For those of you who stuck with us while waiting for that long-desired full-frame, the wait is about to pay off.  It's not April 1st.  Today, with the announcement of two full-frame-ready Pentax D-FA telephoto zoom lenses, Ricoh Imaging also stated in a press release that a Pentax full-frame will hit the market by the end of the year.  Icing on the cake: it will be on display as a reference product at CP+ 2015. Below is an official product photo of the camera in development.  Click on it to enlarge:

Pentax Full Frame Prototype (2015)Pentax Full-Frame Prototype (design subject to change)

Notice the presence of a placeholder for the SR logo, which implies that the upcoming full-frame will feature in-body stabilization just like existing Pentax cameras.  This will make it unique among full-frame DSLRs.

Press Release

February 5, 2015

RICOH IMAGING to exhibit a reference product at CP+2015 camera and imaging show

RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. is pleased to announce the exhibition of a reference product — a digital SLR camera currently under development — at CP+ 2015, one of the largest and most comprehensive camera and imaging shows in Asia. This annual event will be held from February 12 to 15 at the PACIFICO Yokohama convention center in Japan.

Reference Product

Digital SLR camera
Product name: to be decided

  • K-mount digital SLR camera with a large, 35mm full-frame image sensor
  • Compatible with DA-series interchangeable lenses, using an image-cropping function
  • Currently under development for market launch by the end of 2015

Note: The specifications and exterior design of this product are yet to be finalized.

We will be on site at the CP+ show to report on the event, and as ever you can expect an exclusive interview with Pentax representatives.

Pentax K-01 Officially Announced

"An Industry First" - "A K-5 with no mirror at half the price"

By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Feb 2, 2012

We are happy to be among the first to report the official specifications and photos of the new, affordable ($749 MSRP) Pentax K-mount mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the K-01!  Despite rumors that said otherwise, "K-01" turned out the official name of this camera!

An Industry First

The K-01 is a revolutionary industry first.  It is the first mirrorless camera to natively support a SLR lens lineup.  Since it employs the Pentax K-mount, it not only supports all current DSLR Pentax lenses, but also all legacy and manual lenses - over 200 of them, if you only count Pentax glass.  Open up the floor to third parties and we're looking at a camera that works with thousands of lenses, including M42 mount lenses via the M42 adapter, and medium format lenses via a 645 or 6x7 adapter.  The K-01 also has a new image processor which brings it on par with the most modern mirrorless cameras.

The K-01 and Pentax K-mount lens system (click to enlarge)

With respect to core technical specifications, the K-01 is vastly similar to the Pentax K-5, except that it supports higher video framerates (30/25/24 in full HD, 60/50/30/25/24 in 720p) and its maximum ISO has been reduced to 25,600.  It uses the same 16.28 megapixel sensor as the K-5.  It also has no optical (obviously) or electronic viewfinder- you must use the screen on the back of the camera.  Most exciting of all, however, the K-01 has a new image processing engine called PRIME M.

Pentax K-01 with new 40mm and 18-55mm lens

Pentax K-01 with old 18-55mm lens and new dedicated 40mm kit lens


The K-01 comes standard with a new, ultra-thin DA XS 40mm F2.8 kit lens, and can also be purchased together with the standard DA L 18-55mm and 50-200mm lenses or as a body-only for current K-mount lens owners.  We expect a larger series of XS lenses to become available in the near future; these lenses will be extra-compact and are said to only function with the K-01.

Price & Availability - (Pre-Orders already to be accepted today)

The K-01 will become available on March 15th.  In the US, the body-only MSRP will be $749, and the 40mm kit $899. In Europe, the kit price is 699 Euros. Compared to the launch price of the Pentax Q ($799), and the recent Fuji X-Pro1 ($1699), this new Pentax is not only a great deal, but also solid competition within the mirrorless market.  Remember- the image quality of the K-01's sensor ranks among the highest of any APS-C camera on the market.

The K-01 is will be available for pre-order today at Adorama and B&H.

Main Highlights and Complete Specifications

  • 16.28 Megapixel CMOS sensor form the K-5
  • New Prime M imaging engine
  • New quieter mechanical shutter
  • Optional H.264 video format
  • New advanced HDR mode
  • Full-HD video recording and 720p video recording at up to 60fps (a first for Pentax)
  • Native KAF2/KAF3 mount works with thousands of lenses, manual and modern alike
  • 81-point selectable contrast detect autofocus
  • 6FPS shutter delivering a 1/4000s maximum shutter speed
  • ISO 100-25,600
  • Sensor-shift shake reduction (SR)
  • Ultrasonic dust removal (DR)
  • 3 inch VGA LCD monitor with 170-degree angle of view ("921,000 dots")
  • Design by Marc Newson (but not weather-sealed)
  • 3 colors: silver & black, black, black & yellow
  • Weighs just 480 grams without the battery - lighter & smaller than the K-r
  • 12.1cm wide x 7.9cm tall x 5.9cm deep
  • Exclusive, stylish design by Marc Newson
  • Download full specification sheet

What Makes This Camera Special

We are very enthusiastic about the launch of this camera.  The K-01 isn't only an industry first with its SLR-compatible lens mount- it's the first of a generation of cameras which we believe will start dominating the market over the coming decades.  Furthermore, it is compatible with all Pentax SLR accessories (such as flashes, GPS units, etc.), and its new image engine should also improve the performance of the camera compared to current models, and hopefully its JPEG output as well.

For just $749, you can get the proven image quality of a $1495 DSLR in a smaller, prettier, and better-performing package, thanks to the new Prime M engine.  Sure, some might miss the viewfinder, and the weather sealing, but this doesn't mean that the K-01 isn't a step in the right direction for Pentax. Plus, the price is bound to fall over the course of the year.

And with the new 40mm lens, this camera's size can be reduced to close to that of a point and shoot.  It's big enough that it won't fall out of your hands when shooting, however (unlike the Q).

It's not a DSLR replacement for those of us who have DSLRs; it is something completely new which we hope will thrive alongside them.

We are looking forward to receiving a copy of this camera for evaluation purposes as soon as possible, in particular to see the menu system, test the button layout, and measure its AF and video performance. The 81-point contrast-detect autofocus system is by far the item of most interest, as such a system has yet to be deployed as the primary AF mechanism on a K-mount camera. Also, will the K-01 feature manual video controls and full-time autofocus?  One thing we have no doubts about, fortunately, is the stellar image quality- it can't help but be as good as that of the K-5! Want to see our review earlier?  Tell us so!

Back to the 70's

While the K-01 doesn't feature a fully-retro design, it does incorporate retro elements (such as a flat top plate) and has been exclusively designed for Pentax by Marc Newson. Pentax enthusiasts will also notice that the "K" in the name of the camera uses the same font as it did on the original K-series cameras:

Pentax K logos

Pentax K-3 Announced

New 24-megapixel flagship: serious specs in a serious body

By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Oct 7, 2013

The moment that many passionate Pentaxians have been waiting for is finally here: Pentax has officially announced the 24-megapixel Pentax K-3, a flagship APS-C DSLR that's slated to replace the K-5 II/IIs.  Being an advanced camera, the K-3 is primarily targeted at enthusiasts and professionals, and it will likely satisfy even the most demanding photographers.  The new PRIME III processor ensures the camera will deliver the speed that photographers need and expect from a camera of this caliber.

In this article we'll be telling you all about the K-3, including its specifications, highlights, and key features.  We have had a chance to try out a pre-production K-3 hands-on, so some of our commentary will relate to how the camera handles in real life.  This article is the first in a series of posts about the camera, as we will be following up this post with a hands-on Q&A, and shortly after that you can expect to see our in-depth review of this exciting camera.

While the K-3 may appear very similar to the K-5 on the outside, its hardware has seen a complete overhaul to the point that virtually all of its specifications are improved over those of its predecessor.  Pentax is finally ditching the 16-megapixel sensor that they used in eight consecutive camera models, and the company has equipped the K-3 with an all-new 27-point autofocus system, making it their first DSLR to feature more than 11 autofocus points.  Pentaxians will also be thrilled to hear that the K-3 has dual SD card slots, a best-in-class burst mode, and wireless tethering capabilities.

Get the Pentax K-3

In fact, on paper, the K-3 looks like it will be one of the most capable APS-C DSLRs on the market.  Launching at a price tag of just $1299, it will start shipping in early November.  There will also be a special silver edition of the K-3 for $300 more (with grip). Let's start by taking a quick look at the key specifications of the K-3:

Pentax K-3 Specifications
Sensor 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
6016 x 4000px max. recorded resolution

24.71 megapixels total
23.5 x 15.6mm physical size
AA Filter No hardware anti-aliasing filter
Simulated AA filter/moire suppression via SR mechanism (user-configurable)
ISO Range 100 - 51200
Autofocus

27-point TTL phase detection autofocus (25 cross-type points in a 5x5 grid)
-3 to +18 EV operating range

"SAFOX 11"

Metering

86k-pixel RGB sensor with -3 to +18 EV sensitivity

New feature: multi-pattern white balance

Continuous Shooting Continuous H: 8.3 FPS (up to 60 JPG / 23 RAW)
Continuous M: 4.5 FPS (up to 100 JPG / 32 RAW)
Continuous L: 3 FPS (up to 200 JPG / 52 RAW)
Shutter Speeds 1/8000s - 30s, Bulb
Shutter Life 200,000
Viewfinder Pentaprism optical viewfinder
100% coverage, 0.95x magnification
Monitor

3.2" LCD with 1037k dots

Live view & video focus peaking support

Flash Bult-in (GN13)
1/180s sync speed
Video Mode

Full HD: 60i/50i/30p/25p/24p
HD: 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p
H.264 .MOV format
External stereo microphone support / built-in mono microphone
Full manual video controls (shutter speed, ISO, aperture)

25-minute maximum recording time

Media Slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Still File Formats PEF and DNG RAW (14-bit), JPEG
Tethering Full remote control and desktop transfer capabilities
via FLU wireless SD card technology
Weight 800g (loaded and ready)
Battery D-LI90 (up to 720 frames w/o flash, 560 w/ 50% flash)
Battery Grip D-BG5 (6x AA or 1x D-LI90 support)
Weather-sealed

$199.95 US MSRP
Weather Sealing

Yes; 92 dust and moisture seals

Coldproof to -10 degrees C

Connectivity USB3, mic input, AV out, HDMI out, cable switch, x-sync socket, DC in, headphones
Dust Removal Ultrasonic "DRII"
Processor Single PRIME III
Stabilization Body-based Shake Reduction
Price

$1299 US MSRP (black body-only)
$1599 US MSRP (silver body + grip)
$1649 US MSRP (black body + 18-135mm WR lens)

Click here to pre-order your K-3

While there's no denying that the K-3 plays catch-up with the Nikon D7100 (its closest competitor) in many areas, it does leap ahead in others: it has a best-in-class continuous framerate/buffer as well as the ability to record full-HD videos at 60 frames per second. 

The K-3 also has a new 86k-pixel metering sensor, which is nothing short of professional grade. The D7100 can only record up to 50 JPEG files or 7 RAW files at maximum resolution before reducing its framerate, and its full-HD mode is limited to 30 FPS.  Compare this to the K-3's 60 JPEG / 23 RAW buffer and 1080i 60FPS recording.

The sensor in the K-3 is likely to be the same Toshiba chip found in the Nikon D7100 and D5200, as all three sensors have a total resolution of 24.71 megapixels.  Reviews of the latter two cameras have shown that the new 24-megapixel sensor is capable of outperforming the K-5/D7000's old 16-megapixel chip in terms of overall image quality, albeit to a small extent. (Update as of 10/10: we will be confirming the sensor manufacturer directly with Pentax in Japan.  Remaining questions about the K-3 will be answered in an upcoming hands-on preview).

Already convinced?  You can reserve your K-3 by pre-ordering at B&H Photo and pay when it ships.

Pentax K-3 with Grip
Pentax K-3 with new D-BG5 battery grip and DA L 18-55mm WR lens

 The K-3 also features some fresh innovation:

  • It is the first camera to be able to simulate the effect of an antialiasing filter by vibrating the image sensor, thus reducing moire when activated
  • It supports wireless tethering functionality via a dedicated FLU Wi-Fi SD card (discussed later)
  • The new metering sensor enables multi-pattern white balance, which can apply different WB presets selectively

So far, this camera really looks like a big upgrade for any current Pentax user, and it will certainly hold its ground against the competition.  But specifications aren't everything, so let us take a look at what changes have been made to the camera's buttons and ergonomics.  Later on in this article we will also be examining the K-3's highlights more closely.

Pentax K-30 Officially Announced

Photos, details, and all the specs (overhauled AF!)

By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on May 21, 2012

Now that the embargo on the new Pentax K-30 has been lifted, we are happy to be among the first sites to post a complete overview of this revolutionary new $849 DSLR.

The Pentax K-30 is targeted at the mid-range DSLR market.  As such, it's the first successor to the K200D, which ended up being one of the most popular Pentax DSLRs due to its good balance of features and value.  The K-30 can be seen as a K200D on steroids: it is weather-sealed, and while it has no top LCD, additional external controls (including a second control wheel) have been added to make it even easier to use, and it now supports AA's as well as a rechargeable D-LI109 battery.  Other new features since the K200D include an AF assist light, new shooting modes, a larger LCD, and a faster processor. overhauled


Pentax K-30 Autofocus System: SAFOX IXi+
Figure: the overhauled AF system in the K-30

That's enough about the K200D, however.  What's important is that Pentax is reviving the mid-range line with an extremely powerful camera.  The K-30 features a vastly overhauled autofocus system.  Known as SAFOX IXi+, this 11-point AF system incorporates a diffraction lens to minimize chromatic aberration, factors in the light source at the time of shooting, and uses an overhauled algorithm to focus faster and more precisely than even the K-5.  Pentax is also including a new select-area expansion function for enhanced tracking of moving subjects, and promises improvements in "all areas", including focusing accuracy and speed.   Now, let us take a closer look at the specifications of the K-30.

Brutal Pentax Lens Price Increase: 15-90%

Due to the new Pentax unilateral pricing policy

By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Apr 3, 2012

As much as we wish this were also an April Fool's joke, the Pentax USA pricing policy change we announced last week now seems to be in full effect at online stores in the US.  Authorized dealers such as B&H Photo, Adorama, Abe's of Maine, and even Amazon are now selling the Pentax K-5 at the minimum advertised price of $1099.  While this is higher than last week's $989, it's actually $100 below the price that the K-5 was sold earlier this year ($1199).  More importantly, however, it seems prices on most Pentax lenses have unfortunately also gone up to full MSRP.  Full details on this are found later in the article.

Pentax K-5

Remember that prices vary between countries, however, and if you want to score some of the best deals on Pentax gear, we invite you to browse our second-hand Pentax Marketplace.

April Rebates

Now, even though Pentax lens pricing may have gone up, this doesn't mean that there aren't any good deals to be found!  Both Sigma and Tamron have launched new instant rebates this month on some of their most popular lenses for Pentax:

Ironically, the Sigma 70-200mm is now cheaper than the Pentax DA* 50-135mm, as is the Sigma 17-50mm compared to the Penta DA* 16-50mm.

Side-By-Side Lens Price Comparison

Last week, we took a moment to note the old prices of all Pentax lenses in order to compare them to the current ones.  The changes are outlined in the table below. In general, prices for all current DA lenses went up by 15-90%, and this sort of a restriction on retailers is a first for Pentax.  We hope that future product announcements or business decisions justify this new policy!

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