[ogl]

Good question. Some possible answers:


Option 2: It's mediocre? I hadn't realized DPReview got their copy yet.


...

Is it really good optically? Not bad- in the best case...

[boriscleto]

I thought that too at first, but all mirrorless lenses that have autofocus at all have a motor in them and Pentax makes the smallest of them all, the 01 Prime for the Q.

I only hope the build quality of the lens inspires confidence and especially that the collapsing mechanism feels strong. I also hope it will have HD rather than SMC coating. I think the last new lens they introduced without HD was the DA50 1.8, which is a couple of years in the past now.

The last non-HD lens was the 18-270 in September 2012. The DA 50 was July 2012.

[RMabo]

How is the optical quality on collapsable kit lenses? I remember the old Optio S with a sliding lens mechanism and it was criticised for softness in the corners...
Regarding many slow zooms... They are more affordable than faster zooms. But the new collapse one will, I believe, replace the 18-55 WR and leaving the DA L 18-55 as the lowest cost entry I presume? New 16-85 replaces the 17-70 (which I have and like). I've seen comments about the 50-135 f/2.8 being discontinued... new wide aperture telephoto zoom will replace it? 60/70-200 f/2.8... could make a nice combination with the 16-85... Perhaps a new and faster standard zoom is on it's way too... later...

[enoeske]

How is the optical quality on collapsable kit lenses? I remember the old Optio S with a sliding lens mechanism and it was criticised for softness in the corners...
Regarding many slow zooms... They are more affordable than faster zooms. But the new collapse one will, I believe, replace the 18-55 WR and leaving the DA L 18-55 as the lowest cost entry I presume? New 16-85 replaces the 17-70 (which I have and like). I've seen comments about the 50-135 f/2.8 being discontinued... new wide aperture telephoto zoom will replace it? 60/70-200 f/2.8... could make a nice combination with the 16-85... Perhaps a new and faster standard zoom is on it's way too... later...

The collapsible 06 telephoto on the Q system is fantastic and is roughly a 70-200 f/2.8.

[northcoastgreg]

How is the optical quality on collapsable kit lenses?

About the same as other kit lenses. The Oly 14-42 is perhaps slightly better than the DA 18-55.

The best of the collapsible zooms is probably the Oly 9-18, but that isn't exactly a kit lens. Amazingly small, with good colors, contrast, reasonably sharp except toward the edges and corners.

But the new [collapsible] one will, I believe, replace the 18-55 WR and leaving the DA L 18-55 as the lowest cost entry I presume?

Only if Pentax decides to give up on entry-level WR (which is always possible). All these lenses may serve a purpose, with the 18-55 WR being the low cost WR alternative, the 18-50 being the compact, noiseless focus alternative, and the DA L 18-55 being the bargain basement alternative. Why not give entry level users more choices? Pentax undoubtedly sells more 18-55s than any other lens.

[WPRESTO]

How is the optical quality on collapsable kit lenses? I remember the old Optio S with a sliding lens mechanism and it was criticised for softness in the corners...
Regarding many slow zooms... They are more affordable than faster zooms. But the new collapse one will, I believe, replace the 18-55 WR and leaving the DA L 18-55 as the lowest cost entry I presume? New 16-85 replaces the 17-70 (which I have and like). I've seen comments about the 50-135 f/2.8 being discontinued... new wide aperture telephoto zoom will replace it? 60/70-200 f/2.8... could make a nice combination with the 16-85... Perhaps a new and faster standard zoom is on it's way too... later...

Commonly more compact zooms don't have the IQ of bulkier designs with approximately the same zoom range, but there are always exceptions. It's also common for SFL lenses with larger maximum F-stops to outperform lenses of the same focal length but smaller aperture. I note particularly that at 50~58mm and at 85mm, the best optics seem to be a somewhat improbable f1.4. A routine exception seems to be macro lenses. Useless to prejudge the new Pentax ultra-compact zoom.

[Dlanor Sekao]

I really like the button layout on the top to be honest!
It definitely looks like it has an articulating back screen... a step in the right direction I'd say.

Do we have an image from the back?
If it has the same button layout as the K-S1 (at the back), I don't know if I would like it as much...

It has the same body lugs as the K30 and K50......I think that IS an articulating screen though. The AF is only two positions also...AF/MF
This is gonna be the new K50 ???
I like the screen though....already Im gonna get one !
That is AFTER the real world price hits.

[LFLee]

so the new kit lens is a 18-50mm, f4-f5.6.

small size, small aperture.

...meh.

[Dlanor Sekao]

I wonder what that button is on the top of the camera with the translucent ring around it? It's not a power button, because we can see that is the usual concentric ring around the shutter release. It reminds me of the Panasonic iAuto button that lights up when activated. Maybe a wifi toggle?

Isnt it just the Green button ? I don't see it as being illuminated at all.....just the Green button.

[monochrome]

Isnt it just the Green button ? I don't see it as being illuminated at all.....just the Green button.

There are three buttons.

Front row (just behind the shutter release) - Green Button on right, EV Comp on left. Next 'row' there is one flat silver button surrounded by a ring that appears to be an LED. It's function is not clearly evident but I believe it to be the weapons firing button.

The below image is copied from Mistral75 upthread.

[D1N0]

There is a shutter release, a +/-, a green button and a mystery button. The green button is no mystery (to most). It doesn't have a red dot, so no movie button either.

[Blacknight659]

I am not too excited about the camera, but I am excited about what potential features this may bring to the K-3z/K-1 cameras in the future. Articulating screen is one thing on my mind. The new 18-50/f4-5.6 isn't very interesting for me, it could be the new 18-55 dal like others have said. I would be interested in seeing what it is capable of, but I probably won't be buying one.

[6BQ5]

Why are people so dissatisfied with the kit lens? For a first time buyer of a DSLR or someone who wants a kick-around lens this may be the perfect solution. This kit lens doesn't stop people from buying a higher grade lens like a DA 18-135 or even one of the DA* zooms.

[Docrwm]

I'm excited by the simple fact that they are releasing information about a new camera at CES. That means that there will be another at CP+ on the Home Islands.

[Zygonyx]

This mysterious button is no way the video recording one.
If you look carefully you see that there is already a led ring (like K-S1) around the shutter, which is having both photo and video use.