Tony and Chelsea's "Worst Camera of the Year" the Kf

**stemked** · 12-20-2022, 08:22 PM

So...

I guess I spend too much time on youtube. Tony and Chelsea have their lists of 'bests' and 'worsts'. They named the Kf as the 'Worst Camera of the Year' because of its price and that it is essentially a K70. Over the years clearly these two reviewers harbor a distinct dislike of what Pentax manufactures (Chelsea seems to switch systems more often than other people change their underwear). But do they have a point? I am not a fickle camera owner; I find something that works and I try and improve upon my angle with the camera. I do appreciate occasional upgrades, but I like a system that is sustainable in the long run.

That noted, I do not have the Kf; I already have 4 Pentax dSLRs and god only knows how many Pentax film camera. Ergo, I'm not one to really one to be able to say either way. Do you feel the camera has more under the hood than they are saying, or are their points truly valid? Like it or not, they have a loud voice in the camera blogisphere. I just want to hear from those more in the trenches rather than from someone who likely never actually held the Kf.

**luftfluss** · 12-20-2022, 09:47 PM - **13 Likes**

There's plenty of good stuff on YouTube, but the Northrups ain't it.

That said, I could understand the KF being the most disappointing new camera of the year, by virtue of the fact that it is merely a very, very slightly updated K-70 at a significantly higher price. But it is still a good camera and a good value, IMO.

**UncleVanya** · 12-20-2022, 10:30 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

There's plenty of good stuff on YouTube, but the Northrups ain't it.

That said, I could understand the KF being the most disappointing new camera of the year, by virtue of the fact that it is merely a very, very slightly updated K-70 at a significantly higher price. But it is still a good camera and a good value, IMO.

THIS!

Expectations were high when an unexpected camera turned up. The renaming out of sequence from past convention led to speculation and predictions- which were almost universally wrong.

Expectations aside the real disappointment is that it does not bring anything tangible to the table that the k-70 didn’t already provide. It’s hoped that the aperture block is fixed finally. It is a lot like the k-30/k-50 model change. If you already have a k-70, this isn’t much of an upgrade. But if you need a k-70 level camera… The KF delivers (at least that’s the apparent situation based on user reports and reviews. )

**PKMike** · 12-21-2022, 12:05 AM - **1 Like**

I find their videos to be randomly opinionated and mostly boring. I don't see the KF as being a "worst" or bad camera, but rather useful and well featured tool. That said, if I was after a camera with this feature set I would certainly buy a K-70 before they are gone. Can't see a reason to pay $270 more for a KF (or $420 more with 18-135 kit lens). Wow!

gylfimag · 12-21-2022, 01:50 AM - **3 Likes**

The Northrups have a fine Youtube channel and certainly know what they are talking about. In this case they are right, the Kf was a very minor upgrade to an old camera while the change of name indicated something more dramatic. That was a disappointment and pointing that out is hardly an indication of bias against the brand. If Ricoh had made a real effort they would have brought out something like a cheaper version of the K3-iii to replace the K-70 with a regular viewfinder, simpler controls and focus system, less rugged but with the same sensor and thus similar or the same image quality (resolution, noise, dynamic range etc.) and 4K video at a significantly lower price than the K3-iii.

MarkJerling · 12-21-2022, 02:01 AM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by luftfluss

There's plenty of good stuff on YouTube, but the Northrups ain't it.

Well said.

**Madaboutpix** · 12-21-2022, 02:11 AM - **7 Likes**

Northrups: Too much self-advertising, narcissism, and nonsense masking as geekery (particularly on Tony's part) to endure before you get to the rare nuggets of wisdom, IMHO.

alpheios · 12-21-2022, 02:19 AM - **3 Likes**

There are some really great photographers on YouTube that bring valuable information or are just a pleasure to watch. The Northrups are not amongst them.

**gump** · 12-21-2022, 02:49 AM - **4 Likes**

The KF may have been a disappointment to some or many, but using pejoratives like "worst" is uncalled for and shows a lack of discretion. The KF has not been available for a sufficient time to make an in-depth judgement.

**Rondec** · 12-21-2022, 03:29 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by PKMike

I find their videos to be randomly opinionated and mostly boring. I don't see the KF as being a "worst" or bad camera, but rather useful and well featured tool. That said, if I was after a camera with this feature set I would certainly buy a K-70 before they are gone. Can't see a reason to pay $270 more for a KF (or $420 more with 18-135 kit lens). Wow!

As long as the K-70 is still available, most people will still buy that, but I doubt the stock will last for long.

Supposedly the price increase was due to the fact that Pentax could no longer source certain parts for the K-70 for the same price. Replacing them didn't change the functionality of the camera but it did increase the cost.

Jonathan Mac · 12-21-2022, 03:33 AM - **6 Likes**

Even the worst camera of the year in 2022 is still going to be a good camera overall. Release what is essentially a 2016 camera in 2022 (upping the price in the process) and you can't expect for people to celebrate.

Fogel70 · 12-21-2022, 04:35 AM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

Even the worst camera of the year in 2022 is still going to be a good camera overall. Release what is essentially a 2016 camera in 2022 (upping the price in the process) and you can't expect for people to celebrate.

And to put this in perspective. 2016 was a few years before Canon and Nikon had released any mirrorless FF cameras.
When their main focus was on DSLR. And cameras like Nikon D5 and Canon EOS-1D X Mark II was released.

**gaweidert** · 12-21-2022, 04:48 AM - **15 Likes**

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

Even the worst camera of the year in 2022 is still going to be a good camera overall. Release what is essentially a 2016 camera in 2022 (upping the price in the process) and you can't expect for people to celebrate.

Has anybody noticed that we are undergoing pretty intense inflation. The cost to power and heat my house is up well over 60%. The twin pack of bread that we buy has increased from $2.79 to $5.89 (111%) in under a year. My property taxes are up 35%. Gasoline is up a 50% if not more etc, etc, etc. On top of this our state legislators are about to give themselves a 30% raise.

The cost of the camera did not go up. The value of our currencies has gone down.

Wasp · 12-21-2022, 04:54 AM - **2 Likes**

They make a good point. There is nothing to get excited about with the KF - specs and price are rather disappointing.

Being crowned worst camera of 2022 means just that - the worst camera released this year. That is not the same as saying that it is a bad camera.

**EssJayEff** · 12-21-2022, 05:28 AM - **5 Likes**

According to the list on DPReview, here are the 17 cameras released in 2022:

Pentax KF
Fujifilm X-T5
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
OM System OM-5
Sony a7R V
Sony ZV-1F
Sony FX30
Fujifilm X-H2
Hasselblad X2D 100c
Nikon Z30
Fujifilm X-H2S
Canon EOS R7
Canon EOS R10
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6
OM System OM-1
Canon EOS R5 C
Leica M11

Which would be worse than the KF? Maybe the OM-5 (an upgrade from the OM-3) is the only other camera on the list that is "worst?" I only know from what I've read and watched about these cameras . . . I'm just putting their conclusion into context.

12-20-2022, 08:22 PM	#1
stemked Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 506	Tony and Chelsea's "Worst Camera of the Year" the Kf So... I guess I spend too much time on youtube. Tony and Chelsea have their lists of 'bests' and 'worsts'. They named the Kf as the 'Worst Camera of the Year' because of its price and that it is essentially a K70. Over the years clearly these two reviewers harbor a distinct dislike of what Pentax manufactures (Chelsea seems to switch systems more often than other people change their underwear). But do they have a point? I am not a fickle camera owner; I find something that works and I try and improve upon my angle with the camera. I do appreciate occasional upgrades, but I like a system that is sustainable in the long run. That noted, I do not have the Kf; I already have 4 Pentax dSLRs and god only knows how many Pentax film camera. Ergo, I'm not one to really one to be able to say either way. Do you feel the camera has more under the hood than they are saying, or are their points truly valid? Like it or not, they have a loud voice in the camera blogisphere. I just want to hear from those more in the trenches rather than from someone who likely never actually held the Kf.

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12-20-2022, 09:47 PM - 13 Likes	#2
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,657	There's plenty of good stuff on YouTube, but the Northrups ain't it. That said, I could understand the KF being the most disappointing new camera of the year, by virtue of the fact that it is merely a very, very slightly updated K-70 at a significantly higher price. But it is still a good camera and a good value, IMO.

12-20-2022, 10:30 PM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,805	Originally posted by luftfluss There's plenty of good stuff on YouTube, but the Northrups ain't it. That said, I could understand the KF being the most disappointing new camera of the year, by virtue of the fact that it is merely a very, very slightly updated K-70 at a significantly higher price. But it is still a good camera and a good value, IMO. THIS! Expectations were high when an unexpected camera turned up. The renaming out of sequence from past convention led to speculation and predictions- which were almost universally wrong. Expectations aside the real disappointment is that it does not bring anything tangible to the table that the k-70 didn’t already provide. It’s hoped that the aperture block is fixed finally. It is a lot like the k-30/k-50 model change. If you already have a k-70, this isn’t much of an upgrade. But if you need a k-70 level camera… The KF delivers (at least that’s the apparent situation based on user reports and reviews. )

12-21-2022, 12:05 AM - 1 Like	#4
PKMike Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 346	I find their videos to be randomly opinionated and mostly boring. I don't see the KF as being a "worst" or bad camera, but rather useful and well featured tool. That said, if I was after a camera with this feature set I would certainly buy a K-70 before they are gone. Can't see a reason to pay $270 more for a KF (or $420 more with 18-135 kit lens). Wow!

12-21-2022, 01:50 AM - 3 Likes	#5
gylfimag Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 82	The Northrups have a fine Youtube channel and certainly know what they are talking about. In this case they are right, the Kf was a very minor upgrade to an old camera while the change of name indicated something more dramatic. That was a disappointment and pointing that out is hardly an indication of bias against the brand. If Ricoh had made a real effort they would have brought out something like a cheaper version of the K3-iii to replace the K-70 with a regular viewfinder, simpler controls and focus system, less rugged but with the same sensor and thus similar or the same image quality (resolution, noise, dynamic range etc.) and 4K video at a significantly lower price than the K3-iii.

12-21-2022, 02:01 AM - 5 Likes	#6
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 19,524	Originally posted by luftfluss There's plenty of good stuff on YouTube, but the Northrups ain't it. Well said.

12-21-2022, 02:11 AM - 7 Likes	#7
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,247	Northrups: Too much self-advertising, narcissism, and nonsense masking as geekery (particularly on Tony's part) to endure before you get to the rare nuggets of wisdom, IMHO.

12-21-2022, 02:19 AM - 3 Likes	#8
alpheios Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bremen Posts: 409	There are some really great photographers on YouTube that bring valuable information or are just a pleasure to watch. The Northrups are not amongst them.

12-21-2022, 02:49 AM - 4 Likes	#9
gump Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 866	The KF may have been a disappointment to some or many, but using pejoratives like "worst" is uncalled for and shows a lack of discretion. The KF has not been available for a sufficient time to make an in-depth judgement.

12-21-2022, 03:29 AM - 2 Likes	#10
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,064	Originally posted by PKMike I find their videos to be randomly opinionated and mostly boring. I don't see the KF as being a "worst" or bad camera, but rather useful and well featured tool. That said, if I was after a camera with this feature set I would certainly buy a K-70 before they are gone. Can't see a reason to pay $270 more for a KF (or $420 more with 18-135 kit lens). Wow! As long as the K-70 is still available, most people will still buy that, but I doubt the stock will last for long. Supposedly the price increase was due to the fact that Pentax could no longer source certain parts for the K-70 for the same price. Replacing them didn't change the functionality of the camera but it did increase the cost.

12-21-2022, 03:33 AM - 6 Likes	#11
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 9,735	Even the worst camera of the year in 2022 is still going to be a good camera overall. Release what is essentially a 2016 camera in 2022 (upping the price in the process) and you can't expect for people to celebrate.

12-21-2022, 04:35 AM	#12
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 2,887	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac Even the worst camera of the year in 2022 is still going to be a good camera overall. Release what is essentially a 2016 camera in 2022 (upping the price in the process) and you can't expect for people to celebrate. And to put this in perspective. 2016 was a few years before Canon and Nikon had released any mirrorless FF cameras. When their main focus was on DSLR. And cameras like Nikon D5 and Canon EOS-1D X Mark II was released.

12-21-2022, 04:48 AM - 15 Likes	#13
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,156	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac Even the worst camera of the year in 2022 is still going to be a good camera overall. Release what is essentially a 2016 camera in 2022 (upping the price in the process) and you can't expect for people to celebrate. Has anybody noticed that we are undergoing pretty intense inflation. The cost to power and heat my house is up well over 60%. The twin pack of bread that we buy has increased from $2.79 to $5.89 (111%) in under a year. My property taxes are up 35%. Gasoline is up a 50% if not more etc, etc, etc. On top of this our state legislators are about to give themselves a 30% raise. The cost of the camera did not go up. The value of our currencies has gone down.

12-21-2022, 04:54 AM - 2 Likes	#14
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,061	They make a good point. There is nothing to get excited about with the KF - specs and price are rather disappointing. Being crowned worst camera of 2022 means just that - the worst camera released this year. That is not the same as saying that it is a bad camera.

12-21-2022, 05:28 AM - 5 Likes	#15
EssJayEff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: near Saxapahaw, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 605	According to the list on DPReview, here are the 17 cameras released in 2022: Pentax KF Fujifilm X-T5 Canon EOS R6 Mark II OM System OM-5 Sony a7R V Sony ZV-1F Sony FX30 Fujifilm X-H2 Hasselblad X2D 100c Nikon Z30 Fujifilm X-H2S Canon EOS R7 Canon EOS R10 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6 OM System OM-1 Canon EOS R5 C Leica M11 Which would be worse than the KF? Maybe the OM-5 (an upgrade from the OM-3) is the only other camera on the list that is "worst?" I only know from what I've read and watched about these cameras . . . I'm just putting their conclusion into context.

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