Pentax KP vs K-3 II: Do we have a new flagship?

A comparison of two advanced APS-C DSLRs

By PF Staff in Product Updates on Jan 26, 2017

Yesterday Ricoh Imaging announced the Pentax KP, an advanced weather-sealed DSLR with an intriguing all-new look and a slim body.  Many Pentaxians have been longing for a replacement to the aging Pentax K-3 II flagship— is the Pentax KP the answer?

In terms of specifications, the new KP has several new features not seen before in a Pentax APS-C DSLR, including class-leading sensitivity up to ISO 819,200, electronic shutter up to 1/24000s in live view, new bracketing options, new focus peaking options, and 5-axis Shake Reduction II.  Many of its other features are derived from the flagship K-1 (PRIME IV processor) or K-3 II (autofocus).

Let's take a look at the KP and K-3 II side-by-side.

Pre-Order Your Pentax KP today for a chance to get it for free!

Pentax K-70 User's Manual Available

Learn more about the latest Pentax DSLR

By PF Staff in Product Updates on Jun 13, 2016

Ricoh Imaging has published the official user manual for the new Pentax K-70.  We provide the file below for your convenience:

Click here to download the Pentax K-70 manual

Learn more about the Pentax K-70 in the announcement, or pre-order yours today!  An announcement about the K-70's availability will be made in July.

To discuss the K-70 further, please stop by the forum.

Pentax K-50 Discontinued

Out of production and now limited availability

By PF Staff in Product Updates on Jun 16, 2016

After seeing it on the market for nearly three years, it's time for us to say farewell to the versatile Pentax K-50.  The camera has been out of production for months but only now has supply started to dwindle at major retailers worldwide.  We also say goodbye to the 16-megapixel sensor that powered seven different K-mount models and gave Pentax class-leading APS-C image quality for three years.

The K-50 can be seen as a landmark DSLR for Pentax, as it was the first to bring weather-sealed lenses to the entry-level market segment: back in July, 2013, the affordable SMC Pentax-DA L 18-55mm WR and DA L 50-200mm WR kit lenses made their debut alongside the K-50.

You can learn more about the Pentax K-50 in our in-depth review.

In its final year, the K-50 body sold for as little as $299— an incredible value.  It is succeeded by the K-S2 (2015, $499) and K-70 (2016, $649), Pentax's current beginner-friendly weather sealed models.  Both boast significant enhancements over the K-50 in areas such as resolution, autofocus, and user-friendliness.  Like the K-50, the K-S2 is available in an affordable weather-sealed kit, this time with a new ultra-compact, silent-focusing 18-50mm lens.

The K-50 shares its internals with two siblings: the popular K-30 from 2012, which it replaced, and the K-500, a version without weather sealing or the electronic level.  The latter was discontinued just one year after launch.

Pentax KP User Manual Available

Operating manual PDF download

By PF Staff in Product Updates on Feb 15, 2017

Ricoh Imaging has recently published the official user manual for the new Pentax KP.  We provide the file below for your convenience:

Click here to download the Pentax KP manual

This manual is particularly interesting considering the many new features that have been added to the KP, such as shutter speed/aperture bracketing and the high-speed electronic shutter.

Learn more about the Pentax KP in the announcement and our hands-on coverage, or order yours today!  The KP will start shipping around February 23rd, 2017.

To discuss the KP further, please stop by the dedicated KP forum.

DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 PLM Now Shipping

New pulse motor autofocus technology

By PF Staff in Product Updates on Aug 19, 2016

After making its Japanese debut a few weeks ago, the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE is now shipping in the US!  UK and Australian retailers are still awaiting stock.

This compact collapsible telephoto lens debuts a new type of autofocus technology (within the Pentax lineup) called the pulse motor that promises to deliver very fast everyday focusing and solid performance during video recording.  The new Pentax K-70 requires either a PLM or DC lens for continuous autofocus in video mode.

Order your copy of the 55-300mm at B&H Photo

Learn more about this lens in the official announcement, and stay tuned for our in-depth review along with a review of the lens on the K-70.

Since this lens uses a new KAF4 mount with electronic aperture control, it can only expose properly on the Pentax K-3 II, K-1, K-S1, K-S2, K-70, and newer models. Furthermore, with focus-by-wire, it can only focus on models that support KAF3 lenses, namely the K10D or newer.