Originally posted by Canid How does this compare to the K-7 I already own? My understanding was that video compression took a dive after the K-5 and never recovered.
Not quite correct.
The K-5 was the last to use Mjpeg, everything after uses Mpeg4 (h.264)
The Mjpeg data rate could have been a little faster, and the h.264 data rate is definitely too low, but the CoDec's work in very different ways, so that doesn't paint the whole story.
Mjpeg is an Intra-Frame CoDec, Mpeg4 is an Inter-frame CoDec, with the h624 variant being described as a 'Long-GoP' version.
Intra-Frame CoDec's do all their compression within each single frame.
Inter-Frame CoDec's add in predictive math, and compress across a 'Group of Pictures', by copying repeated data from a keyframe ( " i-Frame " ) across following frames. h.264 uses more frames, hence Long-Group of Pictures.
h.264 All i-Frame is compressed more then Mjpeg, but functions the same, without copying data between frames.
Intra-Frame is a lighter processing load on Editing hardware and software, even with a required higher data bandwidth for the same quality vision.
Originally posted by Canid Also, are we sure that the overheating issue is fixed for all current models?
I've shot stuff with guys using K-30's, K-3's and K-1's,... I don't know who say's Pentax has an overheating issue, but in my personal experience, it's total bullshit.
Originally posted by Adam but the KP sensor's native lower noise levels combined with higher video resolution
Correction - Higher Data Rate - the Resolution is still only 1920x1080.
Originally posted by madbrain Not sure what you mean by "manual Pentax lenses" here
Always means K, KM, KA - Non AF lenses as 'Manual Focus' lenses.
Later AF lenses are a bit crap for video, because the focus throws are too short, and many brands switch to a clutched focus ring without end-stops, which makes Focus-Pulls unreliable.
Originally posted by madbrain I'm not sure about the video auto-focus capabilities on the K-P either. On my K-30, I can press the "AF" button to refocus, but there is no way to change the focus point after the recording is started, as far as I know. That is quite a shortcoming for hand-held use.
Use the custom keys menu options - in video the AE button can be assigned to do AF, like back-button-focus for Stills.
Press and hold to refocus in video, but expect it to be slow, miss focus if the light's low, and create a shedload of noise from the screw-drive (making a total mockery of the 'we switched it off because it could be heard in video argument for the lack of mechanical SR since the K-5)
Originally posted by madbrain For handheld use, rolling shutter has been nothing short of horrible in the K-30. Has this been improved in the K-P ?
K-01, K-30, K-3, K-1 all eat Sony, Canon and BMD cameras alive in this regard, from K-1 to KP, the only DSLR type camera with better Rolling Shutter characteristics, is the Nikons (using the same sensor and processor supplier).
The only place you're going to get better performance in this regard, is smaller sensors - like the M4/3rds from Panasonic - or with a gimbal,... or a Global Shutter camera, like the Cion or the BMD4K Production Camera and 4K Ursa family.
Originally posted by madbrain IMO it's irresponsible to recommend a current Pentax DSLR if one is doing 95% video. The Pentax bodies are great for stills, but their video is simply not competitive nowadays.
Most of the people on this forum and the fb Pentaxian's group don't do more then tourist or enthusiast level video, the sort of thing Millennials would do on their phones, and for that, at HD, the Pentax's are still acceptable.
The right event, a KP would even pass for broadcast news.
Indie Film, Cinema, Drama Production, Music Videos, Corporate Video, those definitely need better bodies now.
Originally posted by Canid I bought the FA 35/2 specifically for indoor low light situations where using flash was undesirable or not possible, so it has become my default video lens for anything indoors.
he he he,... I shoot soooo much on my KA 35 f2, it's almost the go-to for my Cion with the focal reducer when on the shoulder indoors.