Speculation: What if Pentax did not go FF but rather a 1.3x?

brecklundin · 07-31-2010, 04:08 AM

I know Canon once use those in their pro line bodies (was it the original 1d or ???) but that was years and years ago...what if Pentax and whoever is making their sensor this go round decided to essentially "split the difference" and go with like a "midi-range" sensor size with a 1.3x factor over the current 1.5x sensor and say, 16MP-18MP or so? Giving more room for the increased pixel count hopfully allowing less noise since the pixel density, as I understand it, has pretty much reached a saturation point for the sensor size.

Is there any potential gain, photographically, by such a move? I mean other than potential brand suicide....

Zav · 07-31-2010, 04:10 AM

Canon still uses APS-H format in their 1DmkIV DSLR.

brecklundin · 07-31-2010, 04:16 AM

wow...thanks, i did not realize they still used the APS-H sensor in the 1D MkIV series...thanks I learned something today! I thought all of the 1D{whatever} bodies were now FF sensors, along with the 5D/5dMkII...I see the 1Ds MkIV bodies are true FF as well.

RonHendriks1966 · 07-31-2010, 04:51 AM

Leica used it in their M8 camera, just a little bigger then Canon's sensor. I would love have that, but I don't think it will happen. You could have the same pixelsize as on the 645D and stil have a little over 16 megapixel.

EricT · 07-31-2010, 05:18 AM

Originally posted by Zav

Canon still uses APS-H format in their 1DmkIV DSLR.

Yes, and there is a bunch of bitching and whining in the Canon forums about it not being full frame. Adopting such a sensor would not do anything to help Pentax, it would just be awkward, IMO...

pdo · 07-31-2010, 06:02 AM

No one but Canon is making an APS-H format sensor.

dande · 07-31-2010, 06:23 AM

True, too many speculations, I myself can even hardly believe that Pentax will switch to Full-frame in the near future, not to talk about yet another sensor format.
On topic: The would have to introduce new lenses more suited for the bigger sensor, since the current lenses (which aren't fullframe) are exactly optimized for the 1.6x crop factor. Cheers!

Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 07-31-2010 at 11:13 PM.

Groucho · 07-31-2010, 06:39 AM

A Pentax APS-H would be a tragedy! It's an unloved, unnecessary format. APS or FF. (Or MF!) Nothing inbetween.

As I recall, such rumors floated around before the K20D and K-7, too... along with square sensor and other silly things.

Kguru · 07-31-2010, 06:49 AM

I have read the DA lenses were strategically designed to accommodate within specs the 1.3x image circle. If Pentax produces a body electronically switchable btwn 1.3x & 1.5x I can shoot my DA21 at 27 equiv or 32 equiv. Similarly DA15 can be 20 equiv instead of 22.5 equiv. I'd be very tempted to upgrade.

youky63 · 07-31-2010, 07:06 AM

I don't care anymore, I am switching to Canon 5DMkII or MkIII and some L lenses, at least I will be sure to have the kind of equipment I need for many years.

filorp · 07-31-2010, 09:09 AM

there will be 16MP sony sensor APSC end of story.... the same what inside D95 but i hope will have better (the best) soft as it happened with K10D....

Zebooka · 07-31-2010, 09:53 AM

No, please no.

No 1.3x crop. Only either FF or 1.5x

Adam · 07-31-2010, 10:25 AM

DA* lenses theoretically support APS-H, but I'm pretty sure that's just to increase the IQ on APS-C cameras.

Moving to APS-H instead of full-frame would be a pointless compromise, IMO.

Parallax · 07-31-2010, 11:14 AM

This is neither news nor rumor. Moved to DSLR.

emr · 07-31-2010, 11:45 AM

APS-H? Blaah. But how about a new size between APS-H and FF?

07-31-2010, 04:08 AM	#1
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	Speculation: What if Pentax did not go FF but rather a 1.3x? I know Canon once use those in their pro line bodies (was it the original 1d or ???) but that was years and years ago...what if Pentax and whoever is making their sensor this go round decided to essentially "split the difference" and go with like a "midi-range" sensor size with a 1.3x factor over the current 1.5x sensor and say, 16MP-18MP or so? Giving more room for the increased pixel count hopfully allowing less noise since the pixel density, as I understand it, has pretty much reached a saturation point for the sensor size. Is there any potential gain, photographically, by such a move? I mean other than potential brand suicide....

07-31-2010, 06:49 AM	#9
Kguru Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Perth - WestAust Posts: 602	I have read the DA lenses were strategically designed to accommodate within specs the 1.3x image circle. If Pentax produces a body electronically switchable btwn 1.3x & 1.5x I can shoot my DA21 at 27 equiv or 32 equiv. Similarly DA15 can be 20 equiv instead of 22.5 equiv. I'd be very tempted to upgrade. Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 07-31-2010 at 11:13 PM.

07-31-2010, 07:06 AM	#10
youky63 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Osaka Posts: 143	so... I don't care anymore, I am switching to Canon 5DMkII or MkIII and some L lenses, at least I will be sure to have the kind of equipment I need for many years. Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 07-31-2010 at 11:14 PM.

07-31-2010, 10:25 AM	#13
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	DA* lenses theoretically support APS-H, but I'm pretty sure that's just to increase the IQ on APS-C cameras. Moving to APS-H instead of full-frame would be a pointless compromise, IMO. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

07-31-2010, 04:10 AM	#2
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Canon still uses APS-H format in their 1DmkIV DSLR.

07-31-2010, 04:16 AM	#3
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674 Original Poster	wow...thanks, i did not realize they still used the APS-H sensor in the 1D MkIV series...thanks I learned something today! I thought all of the 1D{whatever} bodies were now FF sensors, along with the 5D/5dMkII...I see the 1Ds MkIV bodies are true FF as well.

07-31-2010, 04:51 AM	#4
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Leica used it in their M8 camera, just a little bigger then Canon's sensor. I would love have that, but I don't think it will happen. You could have the same pixelsize as on the 645D and stil have a little over 16 megapixel.

07-31-2010, 05:18 AM	#5
EricT Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 484	Originally posted by Zav Canon still uses APS-H format in their 1DmkIV DSLR. Yes, and there is a bunch of bitching and whining in the Canon forums about it not being full frame. Adopting such a sensor would not do anything to help Pentax, it would just be awkward, IMO...

07-31-2010, 06:02 AM	#6
pdo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Westminster CA Posts: 264	No one but Canon is making an APS-H format sensor.

07-31-2010, 06:23 AM	#7
dande Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hungary Posts: 58	True, too many speculations, I myself can even hardly believe that Pentax will switch to Full-frame in the near future, not to talk about yet another sensor format. On topic: The would have to introduce new lenses more suited for the bigger sensor, since the current lenses (which aren't fullframe) are exactly optimized for the 1.6x crop factor. Cheers! Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 07-31-2010 at 11:13 PM.

07-31-2010, 06:39 AM	#8
Groucho Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 416	A Pentax APS-H would be a tragedy! It's an unloved, unnecessary format. APS or FF. (Or MF!) Nothing inbetween. As I recall, such rumors floated around before the K20D and K-7, too... along with square sensor and other silly things.

07-31-2010, 09:09 AM	#11
filorp Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 398	there will be 16MP sony sensor APSC end of story.... the same what inside D95 but i hope will have better (the best) soft as it happened with K10D....

07-31-2010, 09:53 AM	#12
Zebooka Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Russia, Siberia, Novosibirsk Posts: 323	No, please no. No 1.3x crop. Only either FF or 1.5x

07-31-2010, 11:14 AM	#14
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	This is neither news nor rumor. Moved to DSLR.

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07-31-2010, 11:45 AM	#15
emr Guest	APS-H? Blaah. But how about a new size between APS-H and FF?