[creampuff]

Managed to get the new Pentax K-01 (courtesy of our local country distributor Emjay, kudos to the terrific team there) for our monthly Pentax user group outing today.

Everybody present who tried it were suitably impressed, and even more so when the suggested price was mentioned. Many among the group plan to get one. No brainer upgrade for those shooting manual focus. The screen is good enough that any viewfinder is frankly redundant. New 40mm lens is really flat. Could do with a recessed thumb grip but the design definitely grows on you. Ribbed rubber texture is secure. Image quality is terrific, as is video. Camera is so quiet and vibration free. Breaks new ground in the mirrorless segment but DSLR purists will never understand this camera, but who cares, this camera will attract new users in a big way particularly price wise. Overall a big thumbs up to this camera.

While many will no doubt continue to discuss about the supposed pros and cons of the camera ad nauseum without even handling the camera, now that I've tried it, have to say I am more than happy to add this camera to my collection because of the commonality of lenses, batteries and user interface with my K-5. More images from other Singapore users will be posted later...

---

Last edited by creampuff; 02-03-2012 at 08:25 PM.

[creampuff]

Size comparison (Q vs K-01 vs K-5)
Excuse the poor quality as it was a quick snapshot indoors from my Samsung smartphone.



Actual image from the K-01 - high ISO snapshot (ISO6400 at 1/8 sec, f/2.8) in a very dark setting handheld. Pass!

[ScreamingIdiot]

I'm blown away! I WANT ONE SO BAD

[monochrome]

The worm is turning! Boy, that was fast!!

[spade111]

sweet!

[creampuff]

Yeah, we do things fast here in Singapore.
BTW the K-01 battery life is very good so far (rated about 500 shots).

[pghwarrior23]

That's a pretty impressive image at 6400! Wow!

[7samurai]

Looks very promising. How was the AF?

[Docrwm]

I've been saying that we need to wait for user impressions and output - thanks. I asked in another thread what you meant by getting your hands on one "tomorrow" - guess I know now!

How was the AF, is one of the MOST important questions. Does that XS lens work on the K-5 is another? There is still conflicting information available on various Pentax websites.

[LFLee]

I want to know one thing! can the 40mm use on K5?!

Thanks!

[zosxavius]

I still think it needs a viewfinder.

[zosxavius]

It looks like the k-5s mutant brother. Pentax should have done the design inhouse imo. I'm hoping version 2 has more of the pentax feel. This isn't all that bad for a first effort, but I don't really see who this is going to appeal to though. Maybe someone that's looking at the n1 and wants a bit more. It won't appeal to someone that is looking for small that's for sure. Where does the q fit in all this with nearly the same price tag? Where are new lenses for the q? If the q cost 300 it would sell a lot more imo and would put it within its own class. I'm really hoping this isn't the k-r replacement or that pentax is looking to go whole hog into mirrorless. Some of us prefer the old school clack of the mirror and shutter....I like to see the world through the glass and not a lagging video display. Still an evf is better than none.

[Clicker]

With the side by side comparison with the K5, it isn't big at all. So that is a retail model? You'll be posting an in depth review in the near future?

Thanks for sharing.

[monochrome]

It looks like the k-5s mutant brother.

So yesterday.

[JinDesu]

500 shots is quite impressive, I understand most other MILCs have issues passing even 400 shots consistently