Pentax MZ-1

**Pål Jensen** · 03-08-2008, 10:39 AM

This is the Pentax MZ-! pro grade camera scheduled for release in the latter half of the 90's. It was essentially an LX replacement. The project was stopped at the last minute due to the develpment of the ill fated MD-S or "K1" (prototype name) DSLR.

For those who were following the rumor mill at the PDML list at the time, it is amazing how close it is to the speculations circulating.

Attached Images

KungPOW · 03-08-2008, 11:22 PM

Speculation circulating where? Now? Huh? What are you talking about?

wlachan · 03-09-2008, 12:36 AM

It's a pity that Pentax seemed to be late on everything in recent history. It would be nice if the MZ-1 was released at the time of the MZ-3 and forgo the MZ-S altogether. The MZ-S hit the market too late and too expensive.

Jerry Thirsty · 03-09-2008, 06:14 AM

Interesting. Do you know whether it's just a mockup, or a working prototype?

**Pål Jensen** · 03-09-2008, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by KungPOW

Speculation circulating where? Now? Huh? What are you talking about?

On the pentax discuss mailing list, then hosted by Pentax US. Most expected a metal body connoisseur camera with traditional interface. This is pretty much what the MZ-1 is....

**Pål Jensen** · 03-09-2008, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by wlachan

It's a pity that Pentax seemed to be late on everything in recent history. It would be nice if the MZ-1 was released at the time of the MZ-3 and forgo the MZ-S altogether. The MZ-S hit the market too late and too expensive.

This is what really was suppose to happen. The engineers were very dissapointed by the course of the events. Most of them thought that the digital FF DSLR should never have been developed and hence not the MZ-S as well...

**Pål Jensen** · 03-09-2008, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by Jerry Thirsty

Interesting. Do you know whether it's just a mockup, or a working prototype?

I don't know, but it was close to release.....

Jonson PL · 03-25-2008, 07:19 AM

Thanks for the link. Doesn’t look as refined as the MZ3, nor as high-tech as the MZ-S. Was it an AF camera ?

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

This is what really was suppose to happen. The engineers were very dissapointed by the course of the events. Most of them thought that the digital FF DSLR should never have been developed and hence not the MZ-S as well...

Well, it was good that they didn't put the FF digital in production. Then we would probably not have our Pentax company any more

.

When the MZ-S came out, I realized that time was running out for the Z-1P. So I jumped on that instead, as it had some things that the MZ-S didn't, among other things dual wheel, (as I understand the MZ-S).

Miserere · 06-15-2009, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by Jonson PL

Was it an AF camera ?

Yes, you can see the focusing screw on the mount.

It looks eerily like the K-7, don't you guys think? Or rather, the other way around

aruxaru · 06-15-2009, 11:00 PM

Originally posted by Jerry Thirsty

Interesting. Do you know whether it's just a mockup, or a working prototype?

fwiw, the japanese labels it as "mockup"

the camera looks really nice though... shame, it didn't make it out

Alizarine · 05-13-2012, 07:55 PM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

This is the Pentax MZ-! pro grade camera scheduled for release in the latter half of the 90's. It was essentially an LX replacement. The project was stopped at the last minute due to the develpment of the ill fated MD-S or "K1" (prototype name) DSLR.

For those who were following the rumor mill at the PDML list at the time, it is amazing how close it is to the speculations circulating.

Whoa, I should've seen this before.. I honestly think this looks better than the MZ-S, or the prototype for the Pentax FF digital.

I wonder if this body looks would be retro enough for a digital release? Not sure since the photo wasn't very detailed but if it has a good metal body (not necessarily as "metal" as the KM/KX/K1000 were), then it'll probably be cool enough to pit against the OM-D EM-5 and Fuji X10/100/Pro1.

MZ-1D anyone?

Macario · 05-15-2012, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by wlachan

It's a pity that Pentax seemed to be late on everything in recent history. It would be nice if the MZ-1 was released at the time of the MZ-3 and forgo the MZ-S altogether. The MZ-S hit the market too late and too expensive.

I actually think it has a lot incomon with the MZ-S. Dials on top, no e-dials as it looks like, so Aperture controled through lens.

johnha · 05-15-2012, 05:11 PM

It looks very similar to the MZ-M, especially the shutter release/lock/grip/LCD and the exposure compensation dial.

Blue · 05-15-2012, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by Alizarine

Whoa, I should've seen this before.. I honestly think this looks better than the MZ-S, or the prototype for the Pentax FF digital.

I wonder if this body looks would be retro enough for a digital release? Not sure since the photo wasn't very detailed but if it has a good metal body (not necessarily as "metal" as the KM/KX/K1000 were), then it'll probably be cool enough to pit against the OM-D EM-5 and Fuji X10/100/Pro1.

MZ-1D anyone?

Thread from the dead. However, it doesn't have the sloped design like the MZ-S and MZ-D had.

MZ-D prototype (both compliments of Dimitrov)

MZ-S

Alizarine · 05-16-2012, 02:30 AM

I'd still vouch for the MZ-3 look though. More compact and more edgy. Great for the retro appeal. I personally think the MZ-D would look like a pilot's cockpit with those round windows

Unique design. But based on looks, the MZ-3/LX design is what I'll vote for.

03-08-2008, 10:39 AM	#1
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Pentax MZ-1 This is the Pentax MZ-! pro grade camera scheduled for release in the latter half of the 90's. It was essentially an LX replacement. The project was stopped at the last minute due to the develpment of the ill fated MD-S or "K1" (prototype name) DSLR. For those who were following the rumor mill at the PDML list at the time, it is amazing how close it is to the speculations circulating. Attached Images

05-13-2012, 07:55 PM	#11
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Wow Originally posted by Pål Jensen This is the Pentax MZ-! pro grade camera scheduled for release in the latter half of the 90's. It was essentially an LX replacement. The project was stopped at the last minute due to the develpment of the ill fated MD-S or "K1" (prototype name) DSLR. For those who were following the rumor mill at the PDML list at the time, it is amazing how close it is to the speculations circulating. Whoa, I should've seen this before.. I honestly think this looks better than the MZ-S, or the prototype for the Pentax FF digital. I wonder if this body looks would be retro enough for a digital release? Not sure since the photo wasn't very detailed but if it has a good metal body (not necessarily as "metal" as the KM/KX/K1000 were), then it'll probably be cool enough to pit against the OM-D EM-5 and Fuji X10/100/Pro1. MZ-1D anyone?

03-08-2008, 11:22 PM	#2
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	Speculation circulating where? Now? Huh? What are you talking about?

03-09-2008, 12:36 AM	#3
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	It's a pity that Pentax seemed to be late on everything in recent history. It would be nice if the MZ-1 was released at the time of the MZ-3 and forgo the MZ-S altogether. The MZ-S hit the market too late and too expensive.

03-09-2008, 06:14 AM	#4
Jerry Thirsty Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bronson, Missouri Posts: 72	Interesting. Do you know whether it's just a mockup, or a working prototype?

03-09-2008, 07:51 AM	#5
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371 Original Poster	Originally posted by KungPOW Speculation circulating where? Now? Huh? What are you talking about? On the pentax discuss mailing list, then hosted by Pentax US. Most expected a metal body connoisseur camera with traditional interface. This is pretty much what the MZ-1 is....

03-09-2008, 07:52 AM	#6
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371 Original Poster	Originally posted by wlachan It's a pity that Pentax seemed to be late on everything in recent history. It would be nice if the MZ-1 was released at the time of the MZ-3 and forgo the MZ-S altogether. The MZ-S hit the market too late and too expensive. This is what really was suppose to happen. The engineers were very dissapointed by the course of the events. Most of them thought that the digital FF DSLR should never have been developed and hence not the MZ-S as well...

03-09-2008, 07:52 AM	#7
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jerry Thirsty Interesting. Do you know whether it's just a mockup, or a working prototype? I don't know, but it was close to release.....

03-25-2008, 07:19 AM	#8
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	Thanks for the link. Doesn’t look as refined as the MZ3, nor as high-tech as the MZ-S. Was it an AF camera ? Originally posted by Pål Jensen This is what really was suppose to happen. The engineers were very dissapointed by the course of the events. Most of them thought that the digital FF DSLR should never have been developed and hence not the MZ-S as well... Well, it was good that they didn't put the FF digital in production. Then we would probably not have our Pentax company any more . When the MZ-S came out, I realized that time was running out for the Z-1P. So I jumped on that instead, as it had some things that the MZ-S didn't, among other things dual wheel, (as I understand the MZ-S).

06-15-2009, 07:13 PM	#9
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Originally posted by Jonson PL Was it an AF camera ? Yes, you can see the focusing screw on the mount. It looks eerily like the K-7, don't you guys think? Or rather, the other way around

06-15-2009, 11:00 PM	#10
aruxaru Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Posts: 57	Originally posted by Jerry Thirsty Interesting. Do you know whether it's just a mockup, or a working prototype? fwiw, the japanese labels it as "mockup" the camera looks really nice though... shame, it didn't make it out

05-15-2012, 06:25 AM	#12
Macario Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,393	Originally posted by wlachan It's a pity that Pentax seemed to be late on everything in recent history. It would be nice if the MZ-1 was released at the time of the MZ-3 and forgo the MZ-S altogether. The MZ-S hit the market too late and too expensive. I actually think it has a lot incomon with the MZ-S. Dials on top, no e-dials as it looks like, so Aperture controled through lens.

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05-15-2012, 05:11 PM	#13
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	It looks very similar to the MZ-M, especially the shutter release/lock/grip/LCD and the exposure compensation dial.

05-15-2012, 06:19 PM	#14
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Alizarine Whoa, I should've seen this before.. I honestly think this looks better than the MZ-S, or the prototype for the Pentax FF digital. I wonder if this body looks would be retro enough for a digital release? Not sure since the photo wasn't very detailed but if it has a good metal body (not necessarily as "metal" as the KM/KX/K1000 were), then it'll probably be cool enough to pit against the OM-D EM-5 and Fuji X10/100/Pro1. MZ-1D anyone? Thread from the dead. However, it doesn't have the sloped design like the MZ-S and MZ-D had. MZ-D prototype (both compliments of Dimitrov) MZ-S

05-16-2012, 02:30 AM	#15
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	I'd still vouch for the MZ-3 look though. More compact and more edgy. Great for the retro appeal. I personally think the MZ-D would look like a pilot's cockpit with those round windows Unique design. But based on looks, the MZ-3/LX design is what I'll vote for.