K-01 Leaked Photos

crabclawhands · 02-02-2012, 04:05 AM

Those hi-res images from the Russian site are very helpful. The design is growing on me, especially the lighter body coloured model. The button design and layout of pleasingly clean, I do like an uncluttered layout, especially in what I'd call a "holiday camera" or second body. It'd be nice to see it side by side with a K-5, I can't imagine it's all that much smaller and the Samsung-esque choice of not even allowing an external viewfinder (as far as I can tell) is going to be a deal breaker for some.

I can see me picking one these up in the future almost purely for using legacy glass with focus peaking, if it allows decent AF speed with my existing primes then all the better.

Will it bring new users to the system? Maybe not, but it looks a really nice entry level option, and very solid looking build quality. I do like the Pentax have tried something a little different to the cometition, and although public reaction so far has been typically bombastic and well "internetty" it's certainly not receiving all the WTF's the Q system did.

Unsinkable II · 02-02-2012, 04:11 AM

Great link for the high res images! Many thanks.

Well... much of my job involves designing products, and this design is very mediocre. What a wasted opportunity for the studio.

Note to Ricoh: Hire the designer of the Hublot Big Bang for your next camera. Proper watch designers know how to do details.

P.S. Is it just me, or does the mount surround look like a neck tumor?

Clavius · 02-02-2012, 04:24 AM

Originally posted by Unsinkable II

Great link for the high res images! Many thanks.

Well... much of my job involves designing products, and this design is very mediocre. What a wasted opportunity for the studio.

Note to Ricoh: Hire the designer of the Hublot Big Bang for your next camera. Proper watch designers know how to do details.

Again, design is taste-dependant. In my eyes, the Hublot Big Bang is fugly beyond imagination. An in my eyes the K-01 is very nice camera. Bringing in 'design' is always a risk for that reason. That's why it's better to stick with ergonomics and features on priority 1, 2 and 3.

A camera is a tool... At least, it's supposed to be. They now brought the Q and the K-01 for the my-camera-is-part-of-my-jewelry-crowd. Now I impatiently await their 100% utilitary higher end model(s).

**Rondec** · 02-02-2012, 04:34 AM

Why all the focus on the design/perceived lack of beauty? It still looks like a camera to me. The big two questions are what kind of performance will it have and what will its ergonomics be like? I don't think either is truly answerable yet, although the specs look pretty promising for people moving up from the kr.

My only disappointment is the lack of some type of EVF. I hate composing using an LCD screen and that certainly could be a deal killer for a lot of users. Still there are an awful lot of people who don't mind holding their camera at arms length -- there have been an awful lot of NEX 5s sold -- and if this is going to be a kr replacement, I think price-wise there was no way to get an EVF in there for the 600 dollars they'll make on the body.

Verglace · 02-02-2012, 04:35 AM

I find the hublot ugly too, I like the jaeger lecoultre (amvox1) design to be better. Im starting to like the k-01 though I could think of some things to make it better. Though I could think of a few more finishing detail that can make the k-01 better, like the mount release button could use some more tightness (edgier corners maybe), it looks a bit loose to me.

Unsinkable II · 02-02-2012, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Why all the focus on the design/perceived lack of beauty? It still looks like a camera to me. The big two questions are what kind of performance will it have and what will its ergonomics be like? I don't think either is truly answerable yet, although the specs look pretty promising for people moving up from the kr.

My only disappointment is the lack of some type of EVF. I hate composing using an LCD screen and that certainly could be a deal killer for a lot of users. Still there are an awful lot of people who don't mind holding their camera at arms length -- there have been an awful lot of NEX 5s sold -- and if this is going to be a kr replacement, I think price-wise there was no way to get an EVF in there for the 600 dollars they'll make on the body.

The NEX-5N body is already under $550 here in HK. For an extra $200 for a camera with the same sensor, I'd expect more than SR, a focus motor and a flash. They could easily have added an EVF...

And to not even design the camera to take an external EVF as an option??? What were they thinking?? Every other mirrorless maker offers them for a reason: people want them and they are profitable! I'd have liked to be a fly on the wall in that meeting... "Should we offer an EVF accessory?" "No, we might make more profit"

Anyway, it's just a camera. I was just wanting an excuse to give Pentax some money for a new worthwhile toy. Unfortunately for me it's not a toy I like ergonomically or aesthetically. It will be for others.

DaveBlack · 02-02-2012, 05:24 AM

It is not like Ricoh doesn't have an EVF. Just put the GXR EVF plug below the hotshoe. Then sell the EVF add-on. The Olympus EVF lives on my wife's E-pL-2.

Philoslothical · 02-02-2012, 05:30 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

I don't think either is truly answerable yet, although the specs look pretty promising for people moving up from the kr.

Not to me. It has a slower shutter than my K-r, and the same burst speed (and both are slower than the K-5). Supposedly one reason for mirrorless is to escape the limitations of having the mirror flopping around, for faster shutter and burst speeds. Evidently they couldn't do that.

Add to that the lack of a viewfinder (WTH? it's a glorified point and shoot - and useless in sunlight), no mention of battery life (if it were good, they'd be promising that - especially since MILCs are plagued by ridiculous battery drain), and the fact that it's not WR (so no upgrade from the K-r on that front) and I see a half baked offering that they rushed out the door under the guise of being "designer."

If anything is going to kill the brand, it will be poorly thought out products like this, that seem destined to cause them losses.

dgaies · 02-02-2012, 05:32 AM

Originally posted by Unsinkable II

The NEX-5N body is already under $550 here in HK. For an extra $200 for a camera with the same sensor, I'd expect more than SR, a focus motor and a flash. They could easily have added an EVF...

I (personally) would gladly pay $200 for SR and a focus motor (to use my existing glass) if there was an EVF option. I don't agree that they could have "easily" added an EVF (or I believe they would have), but I do agree that it should be an option.

Unsinkable II · 02-02-2012, 05:42 AM

Originally posted by dgaies

I (personally) would gladly pay $200 for SR and a focus motor (to use my existing glass) if there was an EVF option. I don't agree that they could have "easily" added an EVF (or I believe they would have), but I do agree that it should be an option.

Except I manufacture and design electronics in Asia and you don't. So I'll just go along with what I know, if it's OK by you.

bossa · 02-02-2012, 05:59 AM

There's another "official" Pix thread where I said the following:
Every shot I've seen with the lens OFF the camera body shows the sensor. Even the video I just watched shows the sensor and no shutter. Is it some kind of electronic shutter like a LCD blind over the AA filter or something? I can imagine that the 'shutter' is just a gate to the memory buffer though so that no physical shutter is necessary. I guess all will be revealed soon enough.

I'm wondering what kind of shutter it is.. there's no spec's on it as far as I can see apart from the speed.

Catalana · 02-02-2012, 06:40 AM

Originally posted by bossa

There's another "official" Pix thread where I said the following:
Every shot I've seen with the lens OFF the camera body shows the sensor. Even the video I just watched shows the sensor and no shutter. Is it some kind of electronic shutter like a LCD blind over the AA filter or something? I can imagine that the 'shutter' is just a gate to the memory buffer though so that no physical shutter is necessary. I guess all will be revealed soon enough.

I'm wondering what kind of shutter it is.. there's no spec's on it as far as I can see apart from the speed.

I've speculated about the shutter in the "K-01 Problems" thread as well. One response was, that the video did show a shutter. Personally I could see something
move across the plane, but then the sensor was visible again. It always seemed to be visible when the guy took the lens off (quite obvious at the 1:27 minute mark).
It is a pre-production model, so who knows, but now I am wondering how long the sensor will stay clean if it gets exposed that much during lens changes.

Ok, that makes one appreciate the GXR from Ricoh, since each lens module has its own sensor. But still no VF.

Clavius · 02-02-2012, 06:49 AM - **1 Like**

And not only during lens changes. Many zooms suck air in and out while zooming. And not only zooms. When I focus my Vivitar 800mm mirrorlens, I can actually hear the air gushing in/out, like out of a punctured tire.

Oh my, after a week of use that sensor is going to look like a parrot's mirror.

I like having my sensor protected by a mechanical shutter and overhanging mirror. It's a advantage of the DSLR that I hadn't realised yet.

K1D27H · 02-02-2012, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

And not only during lens changes. Many zooms suck air in and out while zooming. And not only zooms. When I focus my Vivitar 800mm mirrorlens, I can actually hear the air gushing in/out, like out of a punctured tire.

Oh my, after a week of use that sensor is going to look like a parrot's mirror.

I like having my sensor protected by a mechanical shutter and overhanging mirror. It's a advantage of the DSLR that I hadn't realised yet.

Yes, that is what I have been thinking as well. Living on this side of the world is not a pleasant place for camera sensor at all. It is very dusty over here and there are many times I believe the mirror actually prevented dust from getting into sensor by trapping it on the mirror instead.

Also, I think this camera really needs an EVF, or might as well bundle it with the camera and sell as a kit. Holding a camera with 50-135 with my arms stretched out in not a kind of work out I am looking forward to.

crabclawhands · 02-02-2012, 06:59 AM

I had a bit of a run on buying and subsequently selling a whole load of mirrorless cameras, three Panasonics an Olympus and most oddly of all a Samsung NX100. If nothing else I have a healthy ebay rating... All of them had their charms, all of them I found unsuitable for the kind of work I like to do most.

Anyway, they all had exposed sensors and all had a distinct and quite often surprisingly loud shutter sound. The Panasonics in particular were probably louder than my K-5 is. I never had a dust problem with any of them and my GF1 I used quite extensively... I never shot by the sea much or in a dust storm, but all the same I never found dust to be an issue at all. Must have excellent self cleaning abilities.

02-02-2012, 04:11 AM	#212
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	Great link for the high res images! Many thanks. Well... much of my job involves designing products, and this design is very mediocre. What a wasted opportunity for the studio. Note to Ricoh: Hire the designer of the Hublot Big Bang for your next camera. Proper watch designers know how to do details. P.S. Is it just me, or does the mount surround look like a neck tumor? Last edited by Unsinkable II; 02-02-2012 at 04:19 AM.

02-02-2012, 06:40 AM	#222
Catalana Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 190	Originally posted by bossa There's another "official" Pix thread where I said the following: Every shot I've seen with the lens OFF the camera body shows the sensor. Even the video I just watched shows the sensor and no shutter. Is it some kind of electronic shutter like a LCD blind over the AA filter or something? I can imagine that the 'shutter' is just a gate to the memory buffer though so that no physical shutter is necessary. I guess all will be revealed soon enough. I'm wondering what kind of shutter it is.. there's no spec's on it as far as I can see apart from the speed. I've speculated about the shutter in the "K-01 Problems" thread as well. One response was, that the video did show a shutter. Personally I could see something move across the plane, but then the sensor was visible again. It always seemed to be visible when the guy took the lens off (quite obvious at the 1:27 minute mark). It is a pre-production model, so who knows, but now I am wondering how long the sensor will stay clean if it gets exposed that much during lens changes. Ok, that makes one appreciate the GXR from Ricoh, since each lens module has its own sensor. But still no VF. Last edited by Catalana; 02-02-2012 at 07:05 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nikon D4 specs leaked	eddie1960	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	20	12-15-2011 09:56 AM
Nikon D800 specs leaked...	JohnBee	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	23	11-02-2011 01:10 PM
Nex 7 Leaked	eddie1960	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	13	07-16-2011 09:24 PM
Battery acid leaked in KX	Lupus	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	9	09-27-2010 07:40 PM
K-5 Prices leaked - German	emergo	Pentax News and Rumors	63	09-16-2010 01:11 PM

02-02-2012, 04:05 AM	#211
crabclawhands New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lincoln, UK Posts: 6	Those hi-res images from the Russian site are very helpful. The design is growing on me, especially the lighter body coloured model. The button design and layout of pleasingly clean, I do like an uncluttered layout, especially in what I'd call a "holiday camera" or second body. It'd be nice to see it side by side with a K-5, I can't imagine it's all that much smaller and the Samsung-esque choice of not even allowing an external viewfinder (as far as I can tell) is going to be a deal breaker for some. I can see me picking one these up in the future almost purely for using legacy glass with focus peaking, if it allows decent AF speed with my existing primes then all the better. Will it bring new users to the system? Maybe not, but it looks a really nice entry level option, and very solid looking build quality. I do like the Pentax have tried something a little different to the cometition, and although public reaction so far has been typically bombastic and well "internetty" it's certainly not receiving all the WTF's the Q system did.

02-02-2012, 04:24 AM	#213
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Originally posted by Unsinkable II Great link for the high res images! Many thanks. Well... much of my job involves designing products, and this design is very mediocre. What a wasted opportunity for the studio. Note to Ricoh: Hire the designer of the Hublot Big Bang for your next camera. Proper watch designers know how to do details. Again, design is taste-dependant. In my eyes, the Hublot Big Bang is fugly beyond imagination. An in my eyes the K-01 is very nice camera. Bringing in 'design' is always a risk for that reason. That's why it's better to stick with ergonomics and features on priority 1, 2 and 3. A camera is a tool... At least, it's supposed to be. They now brought the Q and the K-01 for the my-camera-is-part-of-my-jewelry-crowd. Now I impatiently await their 100% utilitary higher end model(s).

02-02-2012, 04:34 AM	#214
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Why all the focus on the design/perceived lack of beauty? It still looks like a camera to me. The big two questions are what kind of performance will it have and what will its ergonomics be like? I don't think either is truly answerable yet, although the specs look pretty promising for people moving up from the kr. My only disappointment is the lack of some type of EVF. I hate composing using an LCD screen and that certainly could be a deal killer for a lot of users. Still there are an awful lot of people who don't mind holding their camera at arms length -- there have been an awful lot of NEX 5s sold -- and if this is going to be a kr replacement, I think price-wise there was no way to get an EVF in there for the 600 dollars they'll make on the body.

02-02-2012, 04:35 AM	#215
Verglace Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 468	I find the hublot ugly too, I like the jaeger lecoultre (amvox1) design to be better. Im starting to like the k-01 though I could think of some things to make it better. Though I could think of a few more finishing detail that can make the k-01 better, like the mount release button could use some more tightness (edgier corners maybe), it looks a bit loose to me.

02-02-2012, 05:16 AM	#216
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	Originally posted by Rondec Why all the focus on the design/perceived lack of beauty? It still looks like a camera to me. The big two questions are what kind of performance will it have and what will its ergonomics be like? I don't think either is truly answerable yet, although the specs look pretty promising for people moving up from the kr. My only disappointment is the lack of some type of EVF. I hate composing using an LCD screen and that certainly could be a deal killer for a lot of users. Still there are an awful lot of people who don't mind holding their camera at arms length -- there have been an awful lot of NEX 5s sold -- and if this is going to be a kr replacement, I think price-wise there was no way to get an EVF in there for the 600 dollars they'll make on the body. The NEX-5N body is already under $550 here in HK. For an extra $200 for a camera with the same sensor, I'd expect more than SR, a focus motor and a flash. They could easily have added an EVF... And to not even design the camera to take an external EVF as an option??? What were they thinking?? Every other mirrorless maker offers them for a reason: people want them and they are profitable! I'd have liked to be a fly on the wall in that meeting... "Should we offer an EVF accessory?" "No, we might make more profit" Anyway, it's just a camera. I was just wanting an excuse to give Pentax some money for a new worthwhile toy. Unfortunately for me it's not a toy I like ergonomically or aesthetically. It will be for others.

02-02-2012, 05:24 AM	#217
DaveBlack Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 441	It is not like Ricoh doesn't have an EVF. Just put the GXR EVF plug below the hotshoe. Then sell the EVF add-on. The Olympus EVF lives on my wife's E-pL-2.

02-02-2012, 05:30 AM	#218
Philoslothical Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,889	Originally posted by Rondec I don't think either is truly answerable yet, although the specs look pretty promising for people moving up from the kr. Not to me. It has a slower shutter than my K-r, and the same burst speed (and both are slower than the K-5). Supposedly one reason for mirrorless is to escape the limitations of having the mirror flopping around, for faster shutter and burst speeds. Evidently they couldn't do that. Add to that the lack of a viewfinder (WTH? it's a glorified point and shoot - and useless in sunlight), no mention of battery life (if it were good, they'd be promising that - especially since MILCs are plagued by ridiculous battery drain), and the fact that it's not WR (so no upgrade from the K-r on that front) and I see a half baked offering that they rushed out the door under the guise of being "designer." If anything is going to kill the brand, it will be poorly thought out products like this, that seem destined to cause them losses.

02-02-2012, 05:32 AM	#219
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by Unsinkable II The NEX-5N body is already under $550 here in HK. For an extra $200 for a camera with the same sensor, I'd expect more than SR, a focus motor and a flash. They could easily have added an EVF... I (personally) would gladly pay $200 for SR and a focus motor (to use my existing glass) if there was an EVF option. I don't agree that they could have "easily" added an EVF (or I believe they would have), but I do agree that it should be an option.

02-02-2012, 05:42 AM	#220
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	Originally posted by dgaies I (personally) would gladly pay $200 for SR and a focus motor (to use my existing glass) if there was an EVF option. I don't agree that they could have "easily" added an EVF (or I believe they would have), but I do agree that it should be an option. Except I manufacture and design electronics in Asia and you don't. So I'll just go along with what I know, if it's OK by you.

02-02-2012, 05:59 AM	#221
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	There's another "official" Pix thread where I said the following: Every shot I've seen with the lens OFF the camera body shows the sensor. Even the video I just watched shows the sensor and no shutter. Is it some kind of electronic shutter like a LCD blind over the AA filter or something? I can imagine that the 'shutter' is just a gate to the memory buffer though so that no physical shutter is necessary. I guess all will be revealed soon enough. I'm wondering what kind of shutter it is.. there's no spec's on it as far as I can see apart from the speed.

02-02-2012, 06:49 AM - 1 Like	#223
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	And not only during lens changes. Many zooms suck air in and out while zooming. And not only zooms. When I focus my Vivitar 800mm mirrorlens, I can actually hear the air gushing in/out, like out of a punctured tire. Oh my, after a week of use that sensor is going to look like a parrot's mirror. I like having my sensor protected by a mechanical shutter and overhanging mirror. It's a advantage of the DSLR that I hadn't realised yet.

02-02-2012, 06:57 AM	#224
K1D27H Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Nakhon Pathom, Thailand Photos: Gallery Posts: 109	Originally posted by Clavius And not only during lens changes. Many zooms suck air in and out while zooming. And not only zooms. When I focus my Vivitar 800mm mirrorlens, I can actually hear the air gushing in/out, like out of a punctured tire. Oh my, after a week of use that sensor is going to look like a parrot's mirror. I like having my sensor protected by a mechanical shutter and overhanging mirror. It's a advantage of the DSLR that I hadn't realised yet. Yes, that is what I have been thinking as well. Living on this side of the world is not a pleasant place for camera sensor at all. It is very dusty over here and there are many times I believe the mirror actually prevented dust from getting into sensor by trapping it on the mirror instead. Also, I think this camera really needs an EVF, or might as well bundle it with the camera and sell as a kit. Holding a camera with 50-135 with my arms stretched out in not a kind of work out I am looking forward to.

02-02-2012, 06:59 AM	#225
crabclawhands New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lincoln, UK Posts: 6	I had a bit of a run on buying and subsequently selling a whole load of mirrorless cameras, three Panasonics an Olympus and most oddly of all a Samsung NX100. If nothing else I have a healthy ebay rating... All of them had their charms, all of them I found unsuitable for the kind of work I like to do most. Anyway, they all had exposed sensors and all had a distinct and quite often surprisingly loud shutter sound. The Panasonics in particular were probably louder than my K-5 is. I never had a dust problem with any of them and my GF1 I used quite extensively... I never shot by the sea much or in a dust storm, but all the same I never found dust to be an issue at all. Must have excellent self cleaning abilities.