| Author: | | Site Supporter Registered: August, 2011 Location: New Joisey Posts: 1,370
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 2, 2019 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Image quality | | Cons: | Low light focus, ergonomics | | New or Used: New
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It is a really nice, stylish camera with excellent image quality. It's fun to use but I found that the focusing ability in low light was really poor - with good light it's not bad - but even then, it really only works well for stationary subjects, and if the light is really bright, the LCD easily washes out (I put a flip hood on mine which helped). And, the ergonomics weren't great as it didn't have much in the way of a grip.
This isn't to say that I didn't like the camera. I did. As I mentioned it was fun, offered excellent image quality and it was also quite portable, with a relatively (compared to a DSLR) small profile when you slap on a prime lens, which I think it pairs best with. But, once you put on a substantial zoom or the light starts to dim, the camera struggles. I had one for a few years, often even brought it with me instead of my K3, but was bothered by the poor low light focusing, so I decided to part with it, although part of me still wanted to keep it....and every now and then I still kind of miss it.
| | | | | | | Junior Member Registered: July, 2012 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 42 | | Review Date: April 29, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | super sharp, build quality | | Cons: | no VF, screen in daylight, handling? AF | | Ergonomics: 5
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 7
Autofocus: 6
Features: 7
Value: 8
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: Used
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Purchased second hand in Au as a second camera and for some wedding time lapse type work, due to the cheap availability.
The advantage of mirrorless has shown up, where, the lenses are used to their maximum sharpness (no need for micro adj?) This seemed to be the case with a 50mm f1.4 Sigma lens I trialled.....WOW impressively sharp and no need for PP sharpening, otherwise too many skin defects, seriously that good.
However, I am struggling with the AF hitting the target correctly. The AF zone seems to miss sometimes, so one has to be careful. Not getting this with my K5IIs.
Handling is ok, I am used to old film camera's but spoilt by the K5. I did miss a couple of shots due to not having the finger on the trigger correctly(oops). No VF is off putting, even though I am used to smart phones, felt I wanted to put it up to my eye all the time.
The sensor is brilliant as expected, the 16mp in these is a true classic. HDR mode has been fun to play with, backlighting fun outside portraits.
A Jeckyl and Hyde camera, one I am keen to get in my new studio set up. It's a fun cam with great IQ, but misses out on not having an EVF and being slightly older tech mirror less. The AF accuracy bugs me, but a great landscape shooter and for fun, being slightly different. Overall doesn't inspire me with as much confidence as I would have hoped. It would be good to see Pentax give this another go, new design, better AF, EVF, not worried about size issues with k mount flange, just the benefit of mirrorless using lenses to their full potential without all that micro adjustment garbage............ Nice try and a capable back up for what I need.  | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 12 | | Review Date: October 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | video capabilities | | Cons: | low bit rate for video,no headphone jack,no hdmi for live external viewfinder,focus peaking during recording,manual audio control during shooting | | Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 5
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
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i mainly use this for video..so i'll asses it for video...
used it side by side with a canon 60d which definitely won by details due to higher bit rate.
but still k-01 shots are still acceptable knowing that our editor doesn't even notice which is which when it comes to the final edited video on the broadcast level.
the cons are as i have stated above.. pentax knows what to do with it.i think i just have to wait.. but surely.this is bang for buck!
and by the way.. the blocky video artifacts are resolved by updating your firmware to 1.04! for me there is more details to its video comparing to fw 1.03..
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 16 | | Review Date: October 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $320.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Cute design, high iso | | Cons: | Focus hunting | | Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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The mark newson designed body looks very cute especially with its special 40mm xs lens. The wide iso range is also great, so in theory you could get good shots in low light. Unfortunately the reality is that the CDAF only autofocus system hunts quite a bit esp in low light, so it takes longer to get the shot off than with my old k200d or with my Sony hx20v. In good light it's a nice compact body, uses all the old Pentax glass, and can get off a large burstk of shots at high iso. The focus hunting lag though to the first shot makes it hard for me to recommend for action shots unless you prefocus and use manual, and for low light prepare to wait a while or have to manual focus
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Posts: 12,285
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 11, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $316.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Great sensor, takes K mount lenses, outstanding IQ | | Cons: | Ergonomics are very poor, no VF, has trouble with some lenses, artificially slow FPS | | Ergonomics: 4
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 7
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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I took my own advice and bought a K-01. I got it for $316 with the 40XS lens. After selling the 40XS the K-01 body, with all accessories, cost me net $152 I'd say that is a steal of a deal 
For those who have been reading my posts for some time they know that I was an early and vocal critic of Pentax and the K-01. I did handle them and found the ergonomics severely lacking and the rubber SD card door a joke. I have never negatively commented on IQ. I also found the initial price to be absurd for a camera with no view finder and other issues.
Now that I own a K-01, in Yellow by the way, I have other thoughts and wanted to share them. I was struck by the praises in several recent threads that are a bit Pollyanna IMHO. Hopefully I can offer a balanced perspective on the K-01. As background I have owned a K-x, K-r, K-5, and Q (in addition I have several film SLRs by Pentax). I still have the K-5 and Q. My lenses run the gamut from Limited Primes to Consumer Super-Zooms in both AF and Manual flavors.
Image Quality - Excellent - period. The IQ on the K-01 is slightly better IMHO than that coming straight out of my K-5. I realize this is weird given the nature of the sensor and other issues but it’s what I am seeing under real use, non-controlled, circumstances.
Autofocus - Good. Once I installed the new firmware things got a bit faster. It's still not as fast as my K-5 but it’s better than the Q. Accuracy, its apples and oranges for accurate with the two focus systems. I can say that it and the Q are on more equal ground but again I find that the K-01 nails the focus more often than the Q but that may have to do with DoF and crop factor.
Image Write Speed - Poor. It just doesn't take pictures with any real speed at all. On the menu for continuous shooting they have disabled (but it’s still present in greyed out form) the Hi option, so at least they are being honest. Side-by-side my K-5, in the same AF mode, can run rings around the K-01 in the number of images taken and written.
Ergonomics - Poor. Don't care what others have to say, it's a PITA to use the skittle buttons, and the shutter button and the on-off switch design have made me miss the press more than any other camera ever. It's a brick and it is nice to be able to sit it on a flat surface in Portrait orientation but its clunky to handle and the smokestack knob for the mode is huge and disproportionate. The Flash button gets hit by accident, again more than any other camera I have owned, because of its placement. Bottom line is that form took primacy over function in this design, and that is never a good decision outside MoMA.
Intangibles - Good. It uses K mount lenses natively which is a real plus for Pentaxians but relatively irrelevant to non-Pentaxians. Bottom line is that Pentax is an obscure brand with a limited lens lineup now so the K-mount feature on a MILC is not a big selling point outside our community. Common battery with my K-5 is another plus but only for someone with a K-5 or K-7, for others AAs would have been a MUCH better selling point. Negatives are the SD card door and its double layer and the rubber outer cover - it IS going to break, perhaps not right away but it will and I can find no listing for a replacement anywhere on any Pentax website. I hope they have a good supply of them. Rear LCD appears to be superior to the one on my K-5, not sure if it’s just me or there is a real difference I haven't found that spec to compare online.
Bottom Line - I own the K-01 and am impressed with the IQ and image output, which is the real measure of a camera IMHO. The ergonomics are pretty bad IMHO but at $319 with the 40XS lens are something I am, obviously, willing to deal with for now. Would I own this as my only camera, even at this price, no way. Because I already own a range of K-mount lenses and have D-LI90 batteries it makes a descent 2nd camera for me. Why Yellow? A couple of reasons really. It's different. It's less intimidating than Black because it doesn't look as professional. I am finding that the reaction to my K-5 is FAR different from the reaction to my Q, even though both are interchangeable lens cameras in black. The yellow on the K-01 is also defusing the "Pro Camera" reaction from others already and getting me more true candid photos immediately. Overall, if you own a K-mount camera and have the lenses already getting the K-01 at $300ish makes a good bit of sense to me. If you don't already own K-mount lenses - why? So, for now it has a place among my cameras and I hope to enjoy using it as much going forward as I have my Q.
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2009 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 509 | | Review Date: August 8, 2012 | Not Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Creative, standing out | | Cons: | Pathetic and dumb AF, buttons are not convenient | | Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 5
Features: 6
Value: 7
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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What can I say about K-01? I could not imagine such a camera a year ago. I almost dismissed the rumor about such a camera. So first I have to give kudos to Pentax for such a creative camera.
The camera seems to be positioned higher than Kx, but lower than K30. Using K5's sensor allows K-01 to have great image quality. Using K5 battery makes it a perfect backup camera for K7 or K5 users. The design is largely functional. The grip is appropriately large and easy to hold for small lenses.
The camera frame is very sturdy, much better than Kx. The big spin wheels on top of the camera are easy to use.
Here are some of my gripes, most of which are about AF.
1. the AF is pathetic, especially with long lenses. It takes a while for my DA60-250 to find the right objects. The AF is also dumb. It does not know which way to turn. It often goes to the opposite direction and spend a long time to come back, even though the the subject was very close to be in focus in the beginning. It does not work for moving objects.
2. the point focus is bad. It does not focus on the point selected.
3. AF while videoing is bad. It could not find the subject you want to focus.
4. Without a viewfinder or an articulate screen it is hard to manually focus with precision. My Kx is pretty bad with AF, but I can always use the split screen and manually focus.
5. Starting time is long. It is noisy to clean the sensor.
6. I wish there are more functions attached to the on off switch.
7. The rubber door on the side is hard to be put back.
Here are my recommendations:
1. Fix the AF.
2. Make it weather resistant.
3. Change the position of the green and red buttons.
4. Give me an electronic viewfinder or an articulated screen.
5. Keep the price low.
Good first try, I am looking forward to K-02.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: June, 2014 Location: Springhill Nova Scotia Posts: 397
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 1, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Focus peaking, zoom focus, | | Cons: | auto focus, button placement, no EVF, flimsy SD flap | | Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 7
Features: 7
Value: 7
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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Fun camera that takes excellent quality photos.
LCD screen can be hard to see in sunlight but I now use a "clear viewer" and most of the problems have gone away.
Square form factor can be used to take shots by placing on a flat surface.
Feels pretty good in the hand and is easy to hold and shoot.
Great for manual lenses as focus peaking and zoom focus helps to get spot on focus.
The camera should have had an EVF, deal breaker for most folks.
I found focusing harder with my K5 hard compared to my K-01.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: June, 2015 Posts: 50
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 14, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Compact size, availability of Pentax (small) glass | | Cons: | No viewfinder, primitive display | | Ergonomics: 6
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 7
Features: 7
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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DISCLOSURE: I don't own this lens and in fact have never even held it in my hands. I'm writing this "review" based entirely on reading.
I'm someone with 4 film and 6 digital Pentax bodies and 20 or so K mount lenses. For travelling light, I'm using a Panasonic 2.3 sensor ZS-50 camera (spectacular for what it is); I've been thinking of upgrading to a Lumix GX-8 MF43 system for improved image quality and carry-ability.
In the midst of these ruminations, it occurred to me that the K-01 might serve even better. It's a little bulky, but not objectionably so, and it accommodates an entire DSLR lens system to which I'm already committed. Furthermore, Pentax/Ricoh has long been known for its compact lens designs, and Pentax' APS-C format lenses are size-competitive with MF43 offerings, and are no more difficult to carry.
At the end of the day, though, I declined the K-01, but for reasons which could be addressed without too much difficulty in a future release. What the K-01 lacks for me is an electronic viewfinder first, and a tilt-out screen with touch-focus capability a close second. Not being interested in video myself, I do recognize that 4k is becoming common so that should be implemented as well. I think a product like this would be very attractive.
My "review" ends. I'm someone who would have liked to buy this camera for really compelling reasons. In a sense I still do. But I feel it was released before its time, and by now lacks several critical features, which if implemented would make its successor a welcome product.
FWIW.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: April, 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 72
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 27, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Original design, K-mount, K5 sensor, manual focus options | | Cons: | bulky, AF in low light | | Ergonomics: 7
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 7
Features: 7
Value: 7
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: Used
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Not usual to use a DSLR without VF but Pentax made a nice camera with the same K5 sensor.
Some kind of people (and reviews) critize this choice but it has the merit to try a new approach in digital photography.
I loved to use the K5 and i feel again here the same image quality with great color rendition.
AF is not bad at all and for every day use, it's very acceptable.
Focus peaking is a great option for those who use old manual K mount lenses.
Unfortunately Pentax discontinued the K-01 concept.
So no update will not be available anymore in the future excepted the last firmware option.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2009 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 179
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 8, 2015 | Not Recommended | Price: $325.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | IQ, compactness, solid build | | Cons: | Ergonomics, slow shot-to-shot | | Ergonomics: 6
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 7
Autofocus: 9
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: Used
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Like jimmm18, I recently supplemented my K-01 with a used K30. I had bought my K-01 body a little more than a year ago on eBay as a compact second body to my K3. Since I already had a DA40Ltd, I had what amounted to a higher quality version of the original kit. As a kit that is easy to carry around, yet is capable of producing large, detailed images, this combination has been very useful. As a companion to my K3, it has saved me when the (prime) lens on the K3 was not ideal for the scene at hand.
So why did I buy the K30? The ergonomics of the K-01 don’t work very well for me except in point-and-shoot mode. I wear progressive bifocal glasses, so it’s difficult to hold the K-01 at exactly the right distance from my eyes. The LCD is not very visible in bright light to begin with, so I use a Kaiser shade, which adds bulk as well as shadow. For serious shooting, I much prefer using two hands, an OVF with diopter, and two control wheels. So the K30 will accompany the K3 when I want to carry two bodies.
For casual shooting, the K-01 with DA40 (but no shade) can fit in a coat pocket—I’ll leave it in P-mode.
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The used K30 was defective so I swapped it for a used K50, which works fine. Although I got lots of keepers with the K-01, unlike jimmm18, I just couldn't get used to the LCD and having to use a lens shade at almost all times, and I still prefer the K50's controls and general feel. So I sold the K-01.
My next mirrorless cam will have a good EVF.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2013 Posts: 165
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 29, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $420.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Everything. | | Cons: | Needs another dial/wheel, not weather-sealed. | | Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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It's kind of hard to judge this camera because mostly, it's excellent. My complaints are more "what I would have loved the K-01 to have too", and some are justified [necessary] and others would just be cool to have.
This camera rocks, it's comfortable, has a good weight to it, takes amazing photos AND video.. You know what? I'll list the cons, they are easier to list, as they are few.
First of all, that rubber cover is awful. Also, another wheel would have been nice, because changing ISO, aperture and shutterspeed is not as fast as with other cameras. And it would have been excellent if it featured weather sealing. This camera is so small and powerful, that the ability to take it everywhere is truncated by the lack of weather sealing.
Other than that, I'm very happy with this camera, and the only reason I'll be getting another camera later is because of the weather sealing. It won't be a replacement, but one that can go where my beloved K-01 can't.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161 | | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Cheap! Small, light. GREAT images | | Cons: | Noisy AF and metering | | Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 3
New or Used: New
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VERY noisy camera. Metering is very noisy. Focus is also noisy. Just overall noisy. Fine for my concerts but not so for weddings.
IQ is amazing. way better than my 200d.
grip is cool.
covers for ins and outs is annoying. Cheap made and makes me worry about quality of those.
not weather sealed kind of sucks.
easy menu to interact with. Super fast changing of settings. I find I dont need the wheels on the pros with this cam.
JUST last week the mode dial knob came unglued so I am not sure what to do about that yet. Going to search the forums.
Overall a great buy!
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: August, 2008 Location: Ireland Posts: 25
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $299.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | inconspicuous , great image quality, accurate focus | | Cons: | not intuitive , sloooow focus on some lenses | | Ergonomics: 5
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 5
Autofocus: 6
Features: 7
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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Got the K01 during the end of line price blitz i use it more than my K20d , auto focus is very slow in low light , and when using long lenses , but stick on a Pentax DA 16-45 f4, or a small prime.. like the Pentax .DAL 35mm f2.4 or Pentax-F 28mm f2.8 and focus is as fast as my K20d and usually more accurate, Plus High Quality Video is a great bonus for moments when a Photo just isn't enough
I just love the image Quality
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: May, 2010 Posts: 44 | | Review Date: October 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $413.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Smaller then my older Pentax camera | | Cons: | Buffer too small for long sequence shots | | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 8
Features: 7
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
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Fun camera. Decided to get it over the Q and glad I did. What an upgrade over my K-2000. The green button focus peaking is super for older lenses.
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 10 | | Review Date: October 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | good video and great stills | | Cons: | SR internal is kinda fuzzy | | Ergonomics: 3
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 5
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
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I love using this camare for shooting film with my aquariums. 40mm is great for indie film feel.
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