Pentax K-1 reputation for "bulky and heavy" - is it deserved vs. competing cameras?

**JimJohnson** · 04-18-2021, 06:48 AM - **1 Like**

I'm happy with the phrasing of 'dense' as opposed to 'bulky'. When I fly internationally (not sure when that will happen again) I use a soft side Domke style bag packed into my luggage and use neoprene cases for my photo gear placed in a general purpose day pack with other in-travel items. I switch to the photo bag on arrival. I tested the snug fitting neoprene case for my K-3 body on the K-1 body yesterday. No problem and about the same stretch as on the K-3.

wkraus · 04-18-2021, 07:23 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ffking

If I could afford to change systems as frequently as some YouTubers do, I'd be a happy man

Or you pick the right one in the first place and are happy from day one!

**Serkevan** · 04-18-2021, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by wkraus

Or you pick the right one in the first place and are happy from day one!

That's exactly where I'm at

5ks · 04-18-2021, 11:42 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MrNPhoto

To me, holding the body of a K-1 feels just right for a full-frame camera. The battery grip makes it a little bulkier, but it still remains a very comfortable setup. Yes, it might be a little heavier body, but I'm willing to carry a little extra weight if it means having superior build quality and WR.

I definitely agree with MrNPhoto: the feel of K-1 as a pro-level full frame camera is quite all right and weight (compareed to e.g. K-5/K-3) is no problem to me either. Sometimes, if I want to travel light, I may choose to use APS-C body only, but actually the choice of lenses to include in the camera bag is even more important.

SirTomster · 04-18-2021, 03:20 PM - **1 Like**

It feels good in the hand. But I will admit when hauling 2 around for some trips can be heavy. Especially with the 15-30 as one of my lenses.

DRAGONART · 04-18-2021, 03:26 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by zapp

The K1 (II) is bulky and heavy. Others are heavy or bulky or heavy & bulky. All these cameras do their job quite well. Reviews are subjective and you should handle a camera before you buy it.

Bulky & Heavy, I have quite a line up of Pentax DSLRs .. in comparison yes, it is .. but, it has the metal build quality and the additional tech all built in to do a whole lot more. The weight, well you so get used to it.

SirTomster · 04-18-2021, 03:41 PM - **1 Like**

K-1 is slightly lighter than the Nikon D850.

1010g vs 1015g

Dims are:

K-1 137X110X86
D850 146X124X79

Everyone knows how horrible that camera is. /s

Phyllis · 04-18-2021, 04:47 PM - **2 Likes**

I just purchased a used K-1 one moving up from a K-S2. It’s a big difference in weight between the two but with the grip, K-1 does feel like a tank that can handle anything thrown at it. I’d seriously be concerned if it were as light as a feather. It feels good in my hands.

Nayu · 04-18-2021, 09:53 PM - **1 Like**

It doesn't feel that bulky or heavy with my DA 35, DA 50, and DA 70. If anything, with those small primes, it takes less space to store than my Sony APS-C mirrorless setup with the Sigma f/1.4 trio. The grip is also plenty big for use with those lenses and as such feels really good to hold and use.

**WRB** · 04-19-2021, 10:46 AM - **1 Like**

From the first time I hefted the ME Super to the ist DS and now the K-3 and K-1...smaller, lighter, heavier does not matter. They feel right and the results are what I want.

**MrNPhoto** · 04-25-2021, 07:00 AM

Originally posted by SirTomster

It feels good in the hand. But I will admit when hauling 2 around for some trips can be heavy. Especially with the 15-30 as one of my lenses.

Heh - yeah TWO K-1's and a 15-30mm will certainly be heavy. I think the 15-30mm weighs slightly more than the K-1 itself, so that's like carrying three K-1's.

MJKoski · 04-25-2021, 08:09 AM

D850 has real backlit buttons. Pentax should replicate that instead of the 2Fast2Furious Honda bling-blong lights under the car.

house · 04-25-2021, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by MJKoski

D850 has real backlit buttons. Pentax should replicate that instead of the 2Fast2Furious Honda bling-blong lights under the car.

yes, I don't find the lights particularly helpful. Still difficult to see some buttons.

SirTomster · 04-25-2021, 01:32 PM

I turned off the led lights on my cameras. Pretty much access them by feel since I do not want to affect others shooting or my night vision.

MJKoski · 04-26-2021, 07:29 AM

That's where Nikon pulled all the right strings. The button starts glowing with faint blue backlight which does not wreck night vision or act as led torch what the K-1 now does. This needs to be copied in MK3.

D850 is good benchmark. Should MK3 succeed in beating it, don't mind AF though, it is good to go.

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04-18-2021, 06:48 AM - 1 Like	#76
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,772	I'm happy with the phrasing of 'dense' as opposed to 'bulky'. When I fly internationally (not sure when that will happen again) I use a soft side Domke style bag packed into my luggage and use neoprene cases for my photo gear placed in a general purpose day pack with other in-travel items. I switch to the photo bag on arrival. I tested the snug fitting neoprene case for my K-3 body on the K-1 body yesterday. No problem and about the same stretch as on the K-3.

04-18-2021, 07:23 AM - 1 Like	#77
wkraus Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Near Vienna, Austria Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,053	Originally posted by ffking If I could afford to change systems as frequently as some YouTubers do, I'd be a happy man Or you pick the right one in the first place and are happy from day one!

04-18-2021, 07:29 AM	#78
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by wkraus Or you pick the right one in the first place and are happy from day one! That's exactly where I'm at

04-18-2021, 11:42 AM - 1 Like	#79
5ks Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern Finland Posts: 681	Originally posted by MrNPhoto To me, holding the body of a K-1 feels just right for a full-frame camera. The battery grip makes it a little bulkier, but it still remains a very comfortable setup. Yes, it might be a little heavier body, but I'm willing to carry a little extra weight if it means having superior build quality and WR. I definitely agree with MrNPhoto: the feel of K-1 as a pro-level full frame camera is quite all right and weight (compareed to e.g. K-5/K-3) is no problem to me either. Sometimes, if I want to travel light, I may choose to use APS-C body only, but actually the choice of lenses to include in the camera bag is even more important.

04-18-2021, 03:20 PM - 1 Like	#80
SirTomster Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 416	It feels good in the hand. But I will admit when hauling 2 around for some trips can be heavy. Especially with the 15-30 as one of my lenses.

04-18-2021, 03:26 PM - 2 Likes	#81
DRAGONART New Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 15	Originally posted by zapp The K1 (II) is bulky and heavy. Others are heavy or bulky or heavy & bulky. All these cameras do their job quite well. Reviews are subjective and you should handle a camera before you buy it. Bulky & Heavy, I have quite a line up of Pentax DSLRs .. in comparison yes, it is .. but, it has the metal build quality and the additional tech all built in to do a whole lot more. The weight, well you so get used to it.

04-18-2021, 03:41 PM - 1 Like	#82
SirTomster Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 416	K-1 is slightly lighter than the Nikon D850. 1010g vs 1015g Dims are: K-1 137X110X86 D850 146X124X79 Everyone knows how horrible that camera is. /s

04-18-2021, 04:47 PM - 2 Likes	#83
Phyllis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tennessee Photos: Albums Posts: 181	I just purchased a used K-1 one moving up from a K-S2. It’s a big difference in weight between the two but with the grip, K-1 does feel like a tank that can handle anything thrown at it. I’d seriously be concerned if it were as light as a feather. It feels good in my hands.

04-18-2021, 09:53 PM - 1 Like	#84
Nayu Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 57	It doesn't feel that bulky or heavy with my DA 35, DA 50, and DA 70. If anything, with those small primes, it takes less space to store than my Sony APS-C mirrorless setup with the Sigma f/1.4 trio. The grip is also plenty big for use with those lenses and as such feels really good to hold and use.

04-19-2021, 10:46 AM - 1 Like	#85
WRB Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 117	From the first time I hefted the ME Super to the ist DS and now the K-3 and K-1...smaller, lighter, heavier does not matter. They feel right and the results are what I want.

04-25-2021, 07:00 AM	#86
MrNPhoto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 276	Originally posted by SirTomster It feels good in the hand. But I will admit when hauling 2 around for some trips can be heavy. Especially with the 15-30 as one of my lenses. Heh - yeah TWO K-1's and a 15-30mm will certainly be heavy. I think the 15-30mm weighs slightly more than the K-1 itself, so that's like carrying three K-1's.

04-25-2021, 08:09 AM	#87
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	D850 has real backlit buttons. Pentax should replicate that instead of the 2Fast2Furious Honda bling-blong lights under the car.

04-25-2021, 08:59 AM	#88
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by MJKoski D850 has real backlit buttons. Pentax should replicate that instead of the 2Fast2Furious Honda bling-blong lights under the car. yes, I don't find the lights particularly helpful. Still difficult to see some buttons.

04-25-2021, 01:32 PM	#89
SirTomster Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 416	I turned off the led lights on my cameras. Pretty much access them by feel since I do not want to affect others shooting or my night vision.

04-26-2021, 07:29 AM	#90
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	That's where Nikon pulled all the right strings. The button starts glowing with faint blue backlight which does not wreck night vision or act as led torch what the K-1 now does. This needs to be copied in MK3. D850 is good benchmark. Should MK3 succeed in beating it, don't mind AF though, it is good to go.

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