Image sensor quality Pentax K1 vs Nikon D850 vs Sony A7rIII

Andy Fern · 01-14-2018, 12:35 AM

A good outing from the Pentax K1 against the newer Nikon and Sony models.

You Tube

Last edited by Andy Fern; 01-14-2018 at 12:54 AM.

surfar · 01-14-2018, 01:03 AM

Makes you wonder how the Nikon was "judged" as best camera released in 2017?

Wild Mark · 01-14-2018, 01:21 AM

What a great guy. I loved his theatrics ....... he was struggling to say K-1 was the best, until the end, where he dropped the 'outstanding' work ... LOL

totsmuyco · 01-14-2018, 01:41 AM - **2 Likes**

He's actually right! People are looking at all the add-ons of the other systems. Videos, frames per second, touch screen and etc. A camera is primary purpose is to take pictures. The outcome should be good photographs and that's what actually Pentax is giving. And that was what actually he was saying. I totally agree with him.

Paul the Sunman · 01-14-2018, 01:50 AM

Getting the best out of a sensor has been a Pentax strength for several generations of camera know. Presumably it's not a fluke.

JohnBee · 01-14-2018, 02:04 AM

Can't wait to see what Pentax brings to the table next - hope they design a mirrorless flagship body, as I would really like to keep shooting my favorite lenses

Wild Mark · 01-14-2018, 02:13 AM - **1 Like**

He makes a really good point right at the end. Don't give me hate mail on the basis of some other test site showing otherwise. The 'test site' he is referring to (unnamed) uses the FA77mm on he K-1 (some 20 years old and developed for film). Meanwhile, the other two cameras are tested using 'modern' digital lenses ..... Nothing wrong with the 77mm, but, it is not designed to be corner to corner sharp etc ..... it is a different beast.

Paul the Sunman · 01-14-2018, 02:44 AM

Originally posted by JohnBee

Can't wait to see what Pentax brings to the table next - hope they design a mirrorless flagship body, as I would really like to keep shooting my favorite lenses

I can't really see Pentax starting up a whole new mirrorless range in the near future. They are at fully stretch with APS-C, FF, and 645 DSLR. That doesn't worry me, but I can understand those who choose the mirrorless route.

surfar · 01-14-2018, 03:12 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Wild Mark

What a great guy. I loved his theatrics

Its his best effort...normally hes a lot worse!...He was a bit under his normal "antics" in that.

Its difficult to watch him,but hes a lot better than FRO!

He does get his content correct though.

Andy Fern · 01-14-2018, 03:23 AM

There is a dearth of reviews on Pentax. I do appreciate that someone like that is chipping in with some. And with some honesty too.

**Rondec** · 01-14-2018, 03:38 AM

Originally posted by surfar

Makes you wonder how the Nikon was "judged" as best camera released in 2017?

I think it would probably be hard to choose between the D850/A7r III/A9 -- all of them bring good things to the table. The K-1 was obviously released a couple of years ago and wouldn't qualify.

Overall, I think Pentax gets dinged in reviews because they haven't done enough to improve video. Like it or not, that's an important feature in a lot of reviews and these days if you aren't bringing 4K video in your top end cameras, it's going to drop you a little bit.

biz-engineer · 01-14-2018, 03:45 AM

High quality English, very professional and professional style. To me he looks like a teenager trying to figure his style. When do we get professionals to review cameras based on extensive field usage and techniques?

**Rondec** · 01-14-2018, 04:34 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

High quality English, very professional and professional style. To me he looks like a teenager trying to figure his style. When do we get professionals to review cameras based on extensive field usage and techniques?

It's really too late for that. The K-1 is already two years old. This time next year we'll be talking about the K-1 sequel.

(Honestly, I'm not sure why we really care what review sites say about Pentax cameras. Maybe it does increase sales a little, but Pentax is such a small brand in most places that it probably doesn't change it a whole lot).

surfar · 01-14-2018, 04:53 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

hard to choose between the D850/A7r III/A9

A9 is a one trick Pony, speed with electronic shutter is all its got really,the video capability is reasonable.

I saw the video capability of the Nikon shown up in low light,couldnt get a decent AF and this video(by a Nikonite) paints the D850 a distant t(h)urd in this race.

Whereas the A7r3, does stills and video "reasonably" well,its the closest FF Hybrid so far.....Sony will get it right when the lenses are all available and when they get their weather sealing right.Maybe A7 r4 time???

Dericali · 01-14-2018, 05:00 AM

I can't figure out why DPR used the 77mm for their test shot. A bit embarrassing really.

A lot of reviewers in 2016 made a similar approach, they tested the K1 using only screw drive lenses, didn't bother looking at say the 28-105, and then complained about the AF quality/speed.

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01-14-2018, 01:03 AM	#2
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,141	Makes you wonder how the Nikon was "judged" as best camera released in 2017?

01-14-2018, 01:21 AM	#3
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	What a great guy. I loved his theatrics ....... he was struggling to say K-1 was the best, until the end, where he dropped the 'outstanding' work ... LOL

01-14-2018, 01:41 AM - 2 Likes	#4
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	He's actually right! People are looking at all the add-ons of the other systems. Videos, frames per second, touch screen and etc. A camera is primary purpose is to take pictures. The outcome should be good photographs and that's what actually Pentax is giving. And that was what actually he was saying. I totally agree with him.

01-14-2018, 01:50 AM	#5
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Getting the best out of a sensor has been a Pentax strength for several generations of camera know. Presumably it's not a fluke.

01-14-2018, 02:04 AM	#6
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Can't wait to see what Pentax brings to the table next - hope they design a mirrorless flagship body, as I would really like to keep shooting my favorite lenses

01-14-2018, 02:13 AM - 1 Like	#7
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	He makes a really good point right at the end. Don't give me hate mail on the basis of some other test site showing otherwise. The 'test site' he is referring to (unnamed) uses the FA77mm on he K-1 (some 20 years old and developed for film). Meanwhile, the other two cameras are tested using 'modern' digital lenses ..... Nothing wrong with the 77mm, but, it is not designed to be corner to corner sharp etc ..... it is a different beast.

01-14-2018, 02:44 AM	#8
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Originally posted by JohnBee Can't wait to see what Pentax brings to the table next - hope they design a mirrorless flagship body, as I would really like to keep shooting my favorite lenses I can't really see Pentax starting up a whole new mirrorless range in the near future. They are at fully stretch with APS-C, FF, and 645 DSLR. That doesn't worry me, but I can understand those who choose the mirrorless route.

01-14-2018, 03:12 AM - 1 Like	#9
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,141	Originally posted by Wild Mark What a great guy. I loved his theatrics Its his best effort...normally hes a lot worse!...He was a bit under his normal "antics" in that. Its difficult to watch him,but hes a lot better than FRO! He does get his content correct though.

01-14-2018, 03:23 AM	#10
Andy Fern Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Kuala Lumpur Photos: Gallery Posts: 73 Original Poster	There is a dearth of reviews on Pentax. I do appreciate that someone like that is chipping in with some. And with some honesty too.

01-14-2018, 03:38 AM	#11
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by surfar Makes you wonder how the Nikon was "judged" as best camera released in 2017? I think it would probably be hard to choose between the D850/A7r III/A9 -- all of them bring good things to the table. The K-1 was obviously released a couple of years ago and wouldn't qualify. Overall, I think Pentax gets dinged in reviews because they haven't done enough to improve video. Like it or not, that's an important feature in a lot of reviews and these days if you aren't bringing 4K video in your top end cameras, it's going to drop you a little bit.

01-14-2018, 03:45 AM	#12
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	High quality English, very professional and professional style. To me he looks like a teenager trying to figure his style. When do we get professionals to review cameras based on extensive field usage and techniques?

01-14-2018, 04:34 AM	#13
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by biz-engineer High quality English, very professional and professional style. To me he looks like a teenager trying to figure his style. When do we get professionals to review cameras based on extensive field usage and techniques? It's really too late for that. The K-1 is already two years old. This time next year we'll be talking about the K-1 sequel. (Honestly, I'm not sure why we really care what review sites say about Pentax cameras. Maybe it does increase sales a little, but Pentax is such a small brand in most places that it probably doesn't change it a whole lot).

01-14-2018, 04:53 AM	#14
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,141	Originally posted by Rondec hard to choose between the D850/A7r III/A9 A9 is a one trick Pony, speed with electronic shutter is all its got really,the video capability is reasonable. I saw the video capability of the Nikon shown up in low light,couldnt get a decent AF and this video(by a Nikonite) paints the D850 a distant t(h)urd in this race. Whereas the A7r3, does stills and video "reasonably" well,its the closest FF Hybrid so far.....Sony will get it right when the lenses are all available and when they get their weather sealing right.Maybe A7 r4 time???

01-14-2018, 05:00 AM	#15
Dericali Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Berlin Posts: 298	I can't figure out why DPR used the 77mm for their test shot. A bit embarrassing really. A lot of reviewers in 2016 made a similar approach, they tested the K1 using only screw drive lenses, didn't bother looking at say the 28-105, and then complained about the AF quality/speed.