I Own a Kr... Any Reason to Buy K-01?

Martowski · 04-09-2013, 06:22 PM

Just like the title says. I own a Kr... is there any reason to get a K-01? In terms of image quality, usability, etc., what does the K-01 do that the Kr doesnt?

Adam · 04-09-2013, 06:26 PM

The K-01 has better image quality, a better movie mode (w/ stereo mic input and manual controls), and faster in-camera processing.

However, the burst buffer is smaller, the AF is slower, (vs. the K-r's viewfinder af) and there's no viewfinder.

phillydad · 04-09-2013, 06:39 PM

I am finding the Focus Peaking of the K-01 a great deal of fun - both with older manual focus lenses, and for macro (with my F-35-70 - makes me want more). (Check out "Pentax Focus Peaking" on youtube)
I share a K20 with my daughter (I'm not as familiar with the Kr), but when I shoot now, I grab the K-01 I got at the recent Amazon deal...

Martowski · 04-09-2013, 07:08 PM

I'm mainly thinking of it because I can get it with the 40mm xs lens for $400 and I was going to just buy a 35mm f2.4 lens for arounc $190. So I'm debating about just getting this for the lens and to have the extra body... but part of me feels like I'd be better off with the 35mm lens and saving my money for some other toy.

**jimmm18** · 04-09-2013, 10:07 PM

MY thought process as well. I have a kr and figured I would get the k01 for the lens and fell for the camera. The 40xs is a really great lens on either both the kr and the k01. The image quality is a definite step up from the kr.

What I noticed was all of the reviews I read of folks getting the k01 cause of the price or to get the 40xs at a discount and then loved the camera. I don't think you will be disappointed. I wasnt.

tclausen · 04-09-2013, 10:52 PM

Originally posted by phillydad

I am finding the Focus Peaking of the K-01 a great deal of fun - both with older manual focus lenses, and for macro (with my F-35-70 - makes me want more). (Check out "Pentax Focus Peaking" on youtube)
I share a K20 with my daughter (I'm not as familiar with the Kr), but when I shoot now, I grab the K-01 I got at the recent Amazon deal...

This is interesting. I have tried, really tried, to use Focus Peaking on my K-01 and Q, and I find it extremely hard to use - compared to MF using the 4x magnification.

Maybe it's just me, though, and I should keep trying. I was eager to get FP, and rather disappointed when I did. Good thing that it can be turned off easily.....

Martowski · 04-10-2013, 06:13 AM

How's the K-01 in low light and/or shooting moving objects (i.e., kids) vs. the K-r? Most of my shooting is done with the kids and they are rarely still, plus a lot of it is indoors.

Anyone have any thoughts on how the 40mm XS kit lens compares to Pentax's DA 35mm f/2.4?

scratchpaddy · 04-10-2013, 07:56 AM

I'd say the $250 price tag is a pretty good reason. That doesn't include the 40mm XS, though.

Martowski · 04-10-2013, 01:25 PM

Well, I just placed an order for the K-01 with the 40mm XS prime for a total of $317. I figure even if I don't want to keep the body I can probably sell it for around $200 - $250 or so and basically end up getting the lens for around $100 in the end. And if I like the body I'll just keep it as a slightly smaller alternative to my K-r.

phillydad · 04-10-2013, 01:48 PM

That is a lower price I though you could get for the kit now. Where can you get that deal?

Martowski · 04-10-2013, 04:31 PM

Some place called Valleyseek online; they came up in Google shopping, along with a couple other places that were selling the kit for around the same price. Big difference (as in $100 difference) between colors though, so you have to be happy with yellow. :-)

ripit · 04-13-2013, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by tclausen

This is interesting. I have tried, really tried, to use Focus Peaking on my K-01 and Q, and I find it extremely hard to use - compared to MF using the 4x magnification.

Maybe it's just me, though, and I should keep trying. I was eager to get FP, and rather disappointed when I did. Good thing that it can be turned off easily.....

Same here. When I have tried to use focus peaking the focus has turned out bad every time. The zoom with focus peaking off has worked well though. I tried auto focusing with focus peaking on to compare what it looks like when I focus and they look different. Perhaps its just a mater of learning what it is supposed to look like.

Something else I noticed is that with fast apertures, the focus peaking seems to indicate a pretty strong focus for a broader range than the actual range. Again perhaps it is just a matter of learning it or perhaps it works better at slower apertures?

04-09-2013, 06:22 PM	#1
Martowski Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 105	I Own a Kr... Any Reason to Buy K-01? Just like the title says. I own a Kr... is there any reason to get a K-01? In terms of image quality, usability, etc., what does the K-01 do that the Kr doesnt?

04-09-2013, 06:26 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	The K-01 has better image quality, a better movie mode (w/ stereo mic input and manual controls), and faster in-camera processing. However, the burst buffer is smaller, the AF is slower, (vs. the K-r's viewfinder af) and there's no viewfinder. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

04-09-2013, 06:39 PM	#3
phillydad Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Philadelphia, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 86	Focus Peaking I am finding the Focus Peaking of the K-01 a great deal of fun - both with older manual focus lenses, and for macro (with my F-35-70 - makes me want more). (Check out "Pentax Focus Peaking" on youtube) I share a K20 with my daughter (I'm not as familiar with the Kr), but when I shoot now, I grab the K-01 I got at the recent Amazon deal...

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04-09-2013, 07:08 PM	#4
Martowski Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 105 Original Poster	I'm mainly thinking of it because I can get it with the 40mm xs lens for $400 and I was going to just buy a 35mm f2.4 lens for arounc $190. So I'm debating about just getting this for the lens and to have the extra body... but part of me feels like I'd be better off with the 35mm lens and saving my money for some other toy.

04-09-2013, 10:07 PM	#5
jimmm18 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 287	MY thought process as well. I have a kr and figured I would get the k01 for the lens and fell for the camera. The 40xs is a really great lens on either both the kr and the k01. The image quality is a definite step up from the kr. What I noticed was all of the reviews I read of folks getting the k01 cause of the price or to get the 40xs at a discount and then loved the camera. I don't think you will be disappointed. I wasnt.

04-09-2013, 10:52 PM	#6
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by phillydad I am finding the Focus Peaking of the K-01 a great deal of fun - both with older manual focus lenses, and for macro (with my F-35-70 - makes me want more). (Check out "Pentax Focus Peaking" on youtube) I share a K20 with my daughter (I'm not as familiar with the Kr), but when I shoot now, I grab the K-01 I got at the recent Amazon deal... This is interesting. I have tried, really tried, to use Focus Peaking on my K-01 and Q, and I find it extremely hard to use - compared to MF using the 4x magnification. Maybe it's just me, though, and I should keep trying. I was eager to get FP, and rather disappointed when I did. Good thing that it can be turned off easily.....

04-10-2013, 06:13 AM	#7
Martowski Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 105 Original Poster	How's the K-01 in low light and/or shooting moving objects (i.e., kids) vs. the K-r? Most of my shooting is done with the kids and they are rarely still, plus a lot of it is indoors. Anyone have any thoughts on how the 40mm XS kit lens compares to Pentax's DA 35mm f/2.4?

04-10-2013, 07:56 AM	#8
scratchpaddy Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,361	I'd say the $250 price tag is a pretty good reason. That doesn't include the 40mm XS, though.

04-10-2013, 01:25 PM	#9
Martowski Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 105 Original Poster	Well, I just placed an order for the K-01 with the 40mm XS prime for a total of $317. I figure even if I don't want to keep the body I can probably sell it for around $200 - $250 or so and basically end up getting the lens for around $100 in the end. And if I like the body I'll just keep it as a slightly smaller alternative to my K-r.

04-10-2013, 01:48 PM	#10
phillydad Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Philadelphia, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 86	That is a lower price I though you could get for the kit now. Where can you get that deal?

04-10-2013, 04:31 PM	#11
Martowski Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 105 Original Poster	Some place called Valleyseek online; they came up in Google shopping, along with a couple other places that were selling the kit for around the same price. Big difference (as in $100 difference) between colors though, so you have to be happy with yellow. :-)

04-13-2013, 04:12 PM	#12
ripit Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NewYork Posts: 899	Originally posted by tclausen This is interesting. I have tried, really tried, to use Focus Peaking on my K-01 and Q, and I find it extremely hard to use - compared to MF using the 4x magnification. Maybe it's just me, though, and I should keep trying. I was eager to get FP, and rather disappointed when I did. Good thing that it can be turned off easily..... Same here. When I have tried to use focus peaking the focus has turned out bad every time. The zoom with focus peaking off has worked well though. I tried auto focusing with focus peaking on to compare what it looks like when I focus and they look different. Perhaps its just a mater of learning what it is supposed to look like. Something else I noticed is that with fast apertures, the focus peaking seems to indicate a pretty strong focus for a broader range than the actual range. Again perhaps it is just a matter of learning it or perhaps it works better at slower apertures?

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