[nunzio]

Hello everybody.
With the release of the new K3III SLR, there were many innovations in terms of features:
- Autofocus 101 points
- 4K video
- Sensitivity 100 / 1,640,000
- Countinuous 12 fps
- Touch screen
- Charging via USB.
Taking these innovations positively, I see that the K1 II is greatly downsized, and the price proves it too.
Can we believe that pentax is thinking of implementing these new features on a possible K1III and if indeed this possibility has already been considered?

[Bob 256]

I'm sure if a new K-1 version were to be released, it would incorporate some new features along the lines you mentioned, but not all those are necessarily desirable.

For example, I would rather charge my batteries separate from the camera to allow shooting while batteries charge. And, it is much quicker to pop a battery out and a new one in than a need to plug in the camera and wait for it to charge. It adds bulk and complexity to a camera to incorporate an internal charge system.

I'm not so enamored by touch screens either. They tend to get scratched up after a while and can malfunction with false touches unless disabled.

The existing K-1 ISO range is already adequate and is limited by the sensor (which would probably be replaced by a more capable sensor in any future version).

Lastly, considering the K3 is APS-C (and 25.7 Mpx) the K-1 is hardly "downsized" in comparison (not to say the K3 doesn't have some really nice features).

[Kozlok]

What would be amazing if they applied the same viewfinder technology, and we end up with something closer to the old manual-focus film camera finders.

I imagine the answer to the OP's question on if they will, depends entirely on K-3III sales. If they exceed expectations, a K-1III will be right around the corner.

[ramseybuckeye]

Hello everybody.
With the release of the new K3III SLR, there were many innovations in terms of features:
- Autofocus 101 points
- 4K video
- Sensitivity 100 / 1,640,000
- Countinuous 12 fps
- Touch screen
- Charging via USB.
Taking these innovations positively, I see that the K1 II is greatly downsized, and the price proves it too.
Can we believe that pentax is thinking of implementing these new features on a possible K1III and if indeed this possibility has already been considered?

We have no idea if they are thinking about a new K-1, but I'm sure they are already working on the successor, I'm sure it will be one of the next 4 Pentax camera releases. I would imagine that the next full frame will have at least the 1012 AF points, 4K video with Sensor-shift SR, at least that ISO range. Probably not 12 fps, it probably will have touch screen and direct charging. More importantly I think it will also have a new prism, at least the processor of the K-3III or improved, the K-3III's autofocus system or improved, a moveable rear screen, and USB 3.2. Probably some more innovations, but whatever the next camera is it will have most of these.

[jatrax]

Can we believe that pentax is thinking of implementing these new features on a possible K1III and if indeed this possibility has already been considered?

We can believe anything. I am sure that someone at Ricoh is thinking about it, perhaps even planning and designing it. But if or when it actually happens is unknown.

[stevebrot]

Is Pentax thinking about a new k1?

Maybe...how are we on this forum supposed to know? Maybe they will come out with a K-70 Super or a true "FF" 645Z++.


Steve

(...mirrorless 6x7??? ...)

[SelrahCharleS]

I'm expecting most of the new features you mention, with the exception of the 12fps. Much like the original K1 I think they will prioritize resolution over frame rate on their 35mm offering, but the improved AF system will likely carry over.

My personal hope is we get similar viewfinder spec increases, but keep GPS and the K1 style articulating screen. I expect I'll be disappointed by those features going away, but I also expect release pricing will price me out of the K1-iii for some time anyway.

[MarkJerling]

Hello everybody.
With the release of the new K3III SLR, there were many innovations in terms of features:
- Autofocus 101 points
- 4K video
- Sensitivity 100 / 1,640,000
- Countinuous 12 fps
- Touch screen
- Charging via USB.
Taking these innovations positively, I see that the K1 II is greatly downsized, and the price proves it too.
Can we believe that pentax is thinking of implementing these new features on a possible K1III and if indeed this possibility has already been considered?

I'd guess that the K-3III design team will be looking for something new to keep them busy and what better task than a new K-1III?
Unless, of course, it's the same design team that first needs to create a 645ZII.

[SelrahCharleS]

I'd guess that the K-3III design team will be looking for something new to keep them busy and what better task than a new K-1III?
Unless, of course, it's the same design team that first needs to create a 645ZII.

Based in the speed at which Pentax releases products I think the "teams" are one engineer that designs cameras and another that designs lenses

[Paul the Sunman]

I doubt that all the advances in the K3iii were designed with just one camera in mind.

[AstroDave]

What would be amazing if they applied the same viewfinder technology, and we end up with something closer to the old manual-focus film camera finders.

The most wonderful "upgrade" would be an old split-image focus screen!!!!!!!!!! I can't imagine why that has disappeared, unless it messes up either (or both) modern light metering and electronic focusing.

[K2 to K50]

The most wonderful "upgrade" would be an old split-image focus screen!!!!!!!!!! I can't imagine why that has disappeared, unless it messes up either (or both) modern light metering and electronic focusing.

On this one I would have to say "NO, please NO" to a split-image focus screen. Back in the 1970s I had a Pentax K2 with a central microprism focusing screen. When those "bubbles" popped clear, I pressed the shutter butter with great confidence. My K2 was stolen, the model had been discontinued, and I had to buy an ME. It had a split screen focusing system (cannot remember if it was vertical or horizontal) and it always took me longer to decide when to press the shutter button, and I was never really confident that I had nailed the focus.

[DonV]

A "touch screen" is just about the only feature that would disqualify a new camera body for me! I hate touch screens- maybe because I have fat fingers or the "touch spots" are just too small?

But then I am old and an analog guy anyway; later generations that grew up with them seem to use touch screens just fine! I can't type with my thumbs either.

[DWS1]

I'm sure there is someone at Ricoh thinking about a new K1. Whether it will ever get built is an entirely different question.

[mtkeller]

For example, I would rather charge my batteries separate from the camera to allow shooting while batteries charge. And, it is much quicker to pop a battery out and a new one in than a need to plug in the camera and wait for it to charge. It adds bulk and complexity to a camera to incorporate an internal charge system.

I'm not so enamored by touch screens either. They tend to get scratched up after a while and can malfunction with false touches unless disabled.

Just because one can charge the batteries doesn’t mean that one must charge the batteries in the camera. It’s the same D-LI90 battery that the K-7, K-5 (i, ii, iis), K-3 (i, ii), K-1 (i, ii), 645D/Z and probably some others that I am not thinking of use. Use your existing charger or get one of the faster charging options that are now available that use USB-C power delivery (still outside the body). The only time I have charged a battery in my K-3 iii was when it was delivered to work and I wanted to be able to try it out.

The touch screen is really nice to have. I was using one of my older cameras the other day and kept trying to touch the screen!

A "touch screen" is just about the only feature that would disqualify a new camera body for me! I hate touch screens- maybe because I have fat fingers or the "touch spots" are just too small?

But then I am old and an analog guy anyway; later generations that grew up with them seem to use touch screens just fine! I can't type with my thumbs either.

The touch screen is very well executed, but it can also be disabled from the menu with no loss of functionality whatsoever.