So you mean I'm doing something wrong with it? Got any idea what? Because I'm out of ideas.
I've tested on a tripod with shake reduction off. All in M-mode in the menue while in movie mode on the mode dial, so I have manual control on ISO, shutter speed and aperture, and my changes to these is reflected in the footage, so I'm pretty sure it's working correctly (except with a totally manual lens where M-mode is broken, SMC Pentax K 135mm f/2.5). I'm using full HD, 1080p and quality level is on full (three stars). Focus is correct, I've tested wide open and stopped down to f/5.6 and f/8 where sharpness is at its best. I've tested with various custom image pre-sets and I've also changed one to where it's all flat so I can fix it in post and get more dynamic range and details in the recorded footage. I've tested with a fully manual lens which messes up M-mode, and with various automatic lenses which all have great image quality, and still I get an image that looks like it's upscaled DVD resolution. The camera gives great image quality for photography, I've used it a lot since I got it, so I know the camera can give great image quality. And I'm pretty sure it's not a bit rate issue as the Nokia 808 PureView has less bit rate, but better details.
Do you have a sample clip I can see where you feel it's great image quality?
From PentaxForums.com:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-01/227936-low-video-quality-comp...#ixzz2ZakW2mLU
Umm, interesting observation. I too had some rather unwanted problems with the video quality of the k01, but I have finally figured it. So here is my two cents:
1-Always use a higher fps (30fps for 1080p) and (30fps or 60fps at 720p). This substantially reduces blocky artifacts
2-Turn OFF SR, not only does the SR give a jello affect; it also makes the camera skip fps and it gives a jittery video. I forgot to do this on my sample video, and it looks like the video is skipping all over the place! Turning off SR will cure this.
I also noticed that if you turn on "Remote Control" for video it will completely turn off SR. It won't even allow you to select it on the "info" menu. Cool!
3- This is VERY important part: REDUCE SHARPNESS. Pressing "info" then "custom image" then "info (parameter adj.)" you can do this. The affect is a more filmy and smooth video.
4-This is the MOST important part. When using manual and/or M42 lenses you must lock you exposure so that both shutter speed and ISO will not automatically change (but you can still change the aperture). NO matter if you set your ISO at 200 on Manual Mode, the K01 will STILL try to compensate for too little or too much light, often reducing image quality because of High ISO.
-AF/AE-L Lock (exposure lock) will ONLY work if you set your ISO on "Auto" when using a manual/M42 lens. Pentax F and FA lens do not need this lock because they are truly full manual with the K01.
5- I am going to get a lot of heat for this, but I had a bad problem with the K01 always clipping the highlights and underexposed subjects. I fixed this by setting "highlight correction" on auto and "shadow correction" on High. Trust me, it works, but try not to set your highlight correction on high because it bends colors like the water drops of a rainbow.
6-Finally, it is partitive to get the highest bit rate you can on post, if there is a way for you to change this, do it. I use freeware "Blender.org" and change the bit rate from 6000k/bs (default) to 10000k/bs. It makes a huge difference with blocky artifacts and image IQ at the expense of file size.
-Try to get the correct fps on post as well, setting a different fps on post from what the K01 was shot at will give you and uneven and jagged fps.
The result is this, more or less:
Video was shot in 1080p, but vimeo downsampled it to 720p because I do not have a pro account. Video has no sound, so grab a cup of tea and put on some music :-)