[k5astro]

The Camera Store just selected the K-S1 as the worst camera of the year. I had my doubts about it in the first place because of the LEDs - WTF? Come on Pentax, whats with the trash cameras?!

[Rimfiredude]

I did not understand the LEDs either. The camera itself doesn't really seem bad. It just looks cheap, like the clown of cameras.

[mtux]

At least it's somewhere in the list! )

[ChristianRock]

One man's garbage is another man's treasure.
I'll be sure to pick up this nice tiny DSLR with a great sensor and viewfinder, when they blow them out next year.
The only thing I wish it had is two wheels.

[luftfluss]

The Camera Store just selected the K-S1 as the worst camera of the year. I had my doubts about it in the first place because of the LEDs - WTF? Come on Pentax, whats with the trash cameras?!

So what? Elsewhere the K-S1 has gotten decent reviews. Camera Magazine Australia named the K-S1 its Consumer DSLR of the Year.

[Not a Number]

Aren't these the same guys that called the K-01 an "absolute piece of garbage"?

As one of my high school gym coaches was fond of saying "Opinions are like (a vulgar term for a part of the anatomy used for excreting the end products of metabolism, plural) - everybody is entitled to one".

[THoog]

Heaven forbid that a Japanese camera company, most of whose sales are in Japan, make a camera intended and priced for the Japanese market, then barely market it in North America. If it's not for you - don't buy it. There are plenty of options at great prices, especially the recently discontinued and soon-to-be discontinued bodies. That doesn't make the K-S1 trash. I've been really pleased with what mine can do. Ditto for my K-01 piece(s) of garbage.

What I don't understand is the obsession with the freakin' LEDs. They are just an extension of the bright green power LED on top of the K-m, or the blue LED on the K-x, and just as easy to turn off. The countdown timer is a rather clever idea: 5-4-3-2-1 is a lot more intuitive than blinkblinkblink.

[PJ1]

As with the K-01, they are not evaluating the camera, they are just giving their (shallow) opinion of its looks. If those looks sell in Japan, then Ricoh-Pentax have done their job. If the K-S1 is anything like the K-01 in filling a particular role very well, most owners will love it for what it can do.

[ashurbanipal]

I'm not familiar with The Camera Store, but it appears to be a Canadian retailer. Is that right? I'm just trying to figure out why I should care about their opinion of the camera.

[Jonathan Mac]

I was playing with a K-S1 and a K-50 in a shop yesterday and I was impressed with the feel and build quality of the K-S1. It's more solidly-built than the K-50. The mode wheel is not as hard to turn as has been reported in reviews and the AF is lightning fast. It's a handsome camera in the flesh too.

[Not a Number]

I find it encouraging that you were able to find both the K-50 and K-S1 in retail store, let alone some hands on experience with them. As I recall someone reported that one of the demo persons at Photokina said the mode dial loosens up a bit with use.

[Rondec]

I think it is impressive that Pentax got such a good viewfinder and other features into such a small package. It is probably about as small as you could go without losing the mirror and the k mount. Sure, it isn't going to be a camera for folks on the forum. But, there are probably plenty of people who would be interested in one as an upgrade to a cell phone camera or, point and shoot.

[Clothears]

The Camera Store just selected the K-S1 as the worst camera of the year. I had my doubts about it in the first place because of the LEDs - WTF? Come on Pentax, whats with the trash cameras?!

Who are they? I've never heard of them.

---------- Post added 12-12-14 at 11:43 ----------

Sure, it isn't going to be a camera for folks on the forum.

Why not? SWMBO has a K100D Super and I'm hoping to persuade her that up upgrade to a K-S1 is crucial.

[Rondec]

Who are they? I've never heard of them.

---------- Post added 12-12-14 at 11:43 ----------

Why not? SWMBO has a K100D Super and I'm hoping to persuade her that up upgrade to a K-S1 is crucial.

People on the forum tend to be more old school. They prefer bigger cameras, like having the option of an add on grip, like better specs -- deeper buffers, better frame rates. I see most of them looking at the K-S1 versus a K50 and thinking that they would prefer the K50. I probably would too. I don't care if it is a little larger, the K50 is sealed and is probably a little better ergonomically. Even if the K50 was a little more expensive, I would probably choose it over the S1. But then again, I would choose a K5 over the K50...

[k5astro]

People on the forum tend to be more old school. They prefer bigger cameras, like having the option of an add on grip, like better specs -- deeper buffers, better frame rates. I see most of them looking at the K-S1 versus a K50 and thinking that they would prefer the K50. I probably would too. I don't care if it is a little larger, the K50 is sealed and is probably a little better ergonomically. Even if the K50 was a little more expensive, I would probably choose it over the S1. But then again, I would choose a K5 over the K50...

This is some of what they were saying in the review. I think they even suggested the K-50 was cheaper (being older I guess). In the same review they were saying the 645 was the best camera of the year. They also were apologetic about they're summary of the K-S1 but it was a lesser camera compared to the K-50. Anyway, here is the review

You Tube

You Tube