[beholder3]

Yet, there is one and is just been announced. It's not a DSLR, but it is a full frame camera. Sony a7 III Alpha Mirrorless Digital Camera (a7III Body) ILCE-7M3

Yet that is half true. You won't get FF 4k/30P out of the Sony A7III, since it actually is only crop x1,2 (very close to APSH format). Only at 24/25P it is uncropped.

[Rico]

Here's another presentation that I received this morning: Pentax K-1 Mark II Specs & Sample Photos

Thanks for the link Rnovo.

There are additional sample images at higher ISO. The one of the dove at ISO 800 I think shows how much better the color "noise" is being handled.

The color value transitions are more natural without the image becoming to smooth and plastic. There is better detail more evenly retained from light to dark areas. You can really see this by converting the sample images to B&W.

[Erictator]

Thanks for the link Rnovo.

There are additional sample images at higher ISO. The one of the dove at ISO 800 I think shows how much better the color "noise" is being handled.

The color value transitions are more natural without the image becoming to smooth and plastic. There is better detail more evenly retained from light to dark areas. You can really see this by converting the sample images to B&W.

Wow... those samples make me glad I got a new 10bit display to enjoy the colors!

[reh321]

Here's another presentation that I received this morning: Pentax K-1 Mark II Specs & Sample Photos

From the pictures selected, someone thinks that pixel shift is a lot more important than high ISO values

[OoKU]

Handheld shooting Pixel Shift Resolution System II

[Wild Mark]

K1ii = macro monster 😀

[clickclick]

Really looking forward to the upgrade. This is pretty impressive looking, especially when you factor in that a small branch and flower like this is always apt to have some movement to it.

[Gimbal]

What I would like to have is the normal averaging multi exposure function that is already there, but using the electronic shutter only. And not cycling the mechanical shutter after every exposure as they do now. (For no reason at all. WHY, for crying out loud are they doing that?).

[repaap]

What I would like to have is the normal averaging multi exposure function that is already there, but using the electronic shutter only. And not cycling the mechanical shutter after every exposure as they do now. (For no reason at all. WHY, for crying out loud are they doing that?).

Maybe handheld SR works actually better with mirror going up’n down? That might be the case with handheld PS working like it is..?

[cyberjunkie]

I read here that many folks are happy with their K1 including myself, and no need for an upgrade. Then others, including again myself, argue that Pentax's minor changes aren't enough to attract non-pentax users when there are better cameras out there with reasonable price tag and lot more features to their needs. Now, my question is how would Ricoh generate revenue then?

I think they need to address two main points, tightly related one to the other.
Software and processing power.
Ricoh/Pentax excels in camera design (engineers who seem to be aware of the needs of photographers, with a specific knowhow spanning decades of no-nonsense, well conceived cameras) and electro-mechanical stuff (floating sensor, used well beyond a mere SR function, and mirror actuation are two good examples).
Where R/P is playing catch-up is software.
It's quite evident that at the current state of the technology, it's not the sensors that make the difference, it's the algorithms.
The AF behavior of different cameras with similar hardware can give a radically different experience, from the user's perspective. It's all about shockingly complicated predictive (and adaptive) software algorithms, and about the processing power to crunch the data in a timely manner.
A custom SOC is very expensive to design, and I guess that even firmware specialists with specific knowledge are not growing on trees
You either need time, to grow in-house your own specialized engineers, or attract (read: overpay) specialists who have already done great working for the competitors.
It's all about investment (the latter option of course more expensive than the former).
Motorsports teams do it all the time. Aerodynamics and engine specialists are are won/stolen from competing teams, paying huge checks. That money pays for future work/development, as much as for the acquisition of precious knowhow.
Motorsposts team have wealthy sponsors, though
Such specialists exist in the photography industry too, and are not an exclusive of Canon/Nikon/Sony.
In different ways, and addressing different needs, both Fujifilm and Panasonic have done great in this regard, and quite recently.
I think the reality is under everyone's eyes. Pentax is at the cutting edge of electro-mechanical development, but is quite behind regarding software.

I want to see the release of a new main board for the K-1 as a timid signal in the right direction.
I also want to believe that a bigger buffer and a USB 3.0 interface would have been impossible to implement with a simple swap of the main board. It's quite possible, from the little I know about the complex circuitry of a modern DSLR camera.
Probably they had to choose between waiting, releasing a half-baked new FF camera, or giving a simple upgrade path to current K-1 owners (releasing at the same time a "refreshed" v.II model).
The third option was chosen. Time, sales, tests and real-world use will tell if it was the right choice.
At least they seem concentrated on the right path: algorithms and more powerful hardware to run them.
From the tone of the announcement it seems that the main weakness (AF) has seen very little improvement, but really it's not that surprising. Any important evolution in AF technology would take some time (or plenty of money!).

I am not underestimating AF issues, just taking note of a signal in the right direction, and being happy that no, Pentax doesn't seem to be doomed, at least not now (I had worse fears when I knew about Ricoh finances). PK mount is alive and kicking, and that's all I care about.
Having said all that, I am aware of the limits of the improvements brought by the K-1 II, but I think that if it had to be now (and also as an upgrade to current owners), excessive expectations would have been unrealistic.
I think all makes sense, after all. The only thing that doesn't is the intolerance of criticism, seen as a kind of sabotage. Isn't it a bit... extreme?

Cheers

Paolo

[Kunzite]

I guess the K-1 (and K-1 II) is using 2x512MB modules of RAM. The PRIME processor likely does not support higher capacity modules (but 3 modules might be an option - or not).
The SD and USB controllers are integrated into the processor.

So, just "simple" improvements like buffer, USB, card write speed actually require extensive changes. That's fine if you're going to make a new model, but not a good idea when another major project - and a long overdue one - has higher priority.

[reh321]

From the CP+ interview we learned that the 'accelerator' comes between the sensor and the processor. In a few more silicon generations {roughly 18 months each generation} they may be able to make the 'accelerator' technology just another 'back layer' on the sensor, without its signals or heat affecting the sensor. I'm guessing people would ignore it in that case, so we might as well forget it now unless it is shown to have bad effects.

[Kunzite]

The accelerator unit helps, rather than being detrimental. Unless otherwise proven - as Pentax doesn't have a history of "star eaters" and detail destroying lossy compression. Yet they're given less benefit of the doubt that brands that do.

There are many sources of noise in a camera, and you might not have the information necessary to reduce them in a RAW file. Just this morning I was reading a patent about reducing noise generated by sources like the SR coils...

[sculptor666]

i like this sentence:

"we've also been able to reduce unwanted focusing on the background for moving subjects"

[cyberjunkie]

What exactly are you looking for? Pentax glass or third party support? If you have the budget to buy the modern Pentax glass then what is missing? If you feel you need third party support then sadly Pentax is not for you. You should probably buy the Nikon D850.

Why?
This is the n time I read such nonsense (not only on this forum, to be fair... it seems to be a pentaxian mania).
I own more than 300 lenses that can be readily mounted on my Pentax DSLR cameras, plus many more that could make sense to convert. Even being super tight, at least 30 of them are GREAT objectives, well worth the sensor of my K-1. Some have plenty of sharpness, some tons of "character".
I mainly shoot MF, so I'm perfectly fine with the Samyangs (15, 24, 35, 85), and then CZJ (Flektogon 2.4/35, Pancolar 80, Sonnar 135, 200, 300), Sigma (15, 180 macro), Meyer (Primoplan 50, Trioplan 50, 100, Primagon 135, 180), Leitz (Summicron 2/90, Elmarit 2.8/135), Tomioka 1.2/50, plus many other 3rd party... too many to mention, including - just one focal other way the list gets too long - two (much more than decent) 1.8/135 and a very good 2/135.
Then the Pentax K (2/28, 3.5/28, 1.2/50, 105, 2.5/135), the A (15, 20, 100, 200), the A Star (85, 200, 300), plus a couple Takumar to throw in (8-elements Super Takumar 50 and Auto Takumar 1.8/85). Plus the four Pentax soft-focus (28, two 85, plus the 135 for the 6x7). Let's also add the 120 macro of the 645.
If I need AF I can use the 50 macro F, 100 macro FA, 1.4/50 FA, 77 Ltd, 40 Ltd, 2/35 FA, or just go 3rd party with Tamron 90, Sigma 2.8/24-70 HSM or 120-400, or the Sigma macro (50, 70, 105).
These are just the ones I've used recently, off the top of my head. Many macro lenses cause I shot plenty of macros recently
And I've spared you the short, specialized ultra-macros and all the Steinheil triplets (that I wholeheartedly love)
Better I cut it short other way before the end of the message I'd be reminded of at least five or ten glasses I could never do without
Even in another continent, far away from home, I have a good dozen of them (which flew with me).
For the sake of tranquility I did not mention two cheap Pentax AF zooms that should deserve better reviews (hint: silver, plasticky).

Even if we reword the statement in "the PixelShift of the K-1 needs modern high-res lenses, I have to to disagree, at least partially. I'm not a pixel-peeper, but I could still easily see the difference (with PS), using a humble Vivitar/Cosina 19mm!
Of course with a sharper lens the improvement was even more visible, just because the lens itself is better.

I would like to have the choice of more Sigma Art lenses, more choice is always a good thing, but it's not going to happen any time soon. I didn't buy the 35mm cause AF is not a huge priority (not in this focal at least) and because the Samyang 1.4/35 is more or less in the same league.
I'm not holding my breath for Pentax own primes with fast internal motor. First I want to see a Pentax body light up the green light when an MF lens is really IN FOCUS (let's say, at least an f/2 lens). This very basic feature is still not there. I'm happily using enlarged LiveView.
I'm not complaining, and I'm VERY happy with the incredible performance of the K-1 with vintage lenses. The camera has some magic, it made me enjoy again my hobby (fortunately not a profession, since long) and discover/rediscover old lenses that made little or no sense on APS-C.
Absolute sharpness is way overrated.
Not because it's my personal opinion, I might be biased, but also because every time I print portraits, the people portrayed invariably choose the picture shot with a vintage lens (be it a Summicron 90, a 50 f/1.2, or even the Trioplan 100!).

The K-1 doesn't call for the latest sharpest glass, quite the opposite according to my personal experience, and for sure works just fine if the lens has no Pentax brand on it. For sure it's not happy if a lens backfocuses, even with a compensation of 10, like my Tamron 2.8/70-200, but this is a completely different story...

I still don't know if I will upgrade the main board or not, handheld PS would be an interesting option, but my camera was purchased in the USA. I will be there for too short to to be sure to get back the K-1 in time. Still unclear if the Italian importer will accept cameras purchased outside of the EU. For sure I'll wait for the first reviews

Cheers

Paolo