After months of running around with nothing but mirrorless and rangefinder cameras, the first thing that came to mind when I picked up the new Pentax flagship DSLR was, “Geeeeeez this puppy’s heavy…” The Pentax K-1 is, indeed, a heavy camera, especially when paired with an HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR zoom lens, but the image quality and functionality of the K-1 quickly allayed any weight issues I had the first time I lifted the camera to my eye.
The dynamic range of the K-1’s 36.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor, combined with the processing abilities of the camera’s PRIME lV image processor, are immensely impressive. Highlight and shadow details hold up equally well and the transitional tones between these extremes are equally sweet. What’s more, except for my photograph of stars in a midnight sky, all the street scenes photographed for this review were captured handheld.
Photographs © Allan Weitz
Pentax’s first full-frame camera contains a 36.4MP CMOS sensor that, in a bid to maximize resolving power, lacks an anti-aliasing filter. In its stead, the K-1 features an electronic anti-alias simulator (i.e., a controlled micro-burst of sensor vibration) when photographing moiré-prone subjects.
A new 33 AF-point (25 cross-type) SAFOX 12 AF module enables precise focusing with immediate response times in all but the most dreadful lighting conditions, but even when prowling the streets after dark, the camera’s “eyes” outperformed my own ability to see through the darkness.
The K-1 can continuously capture JPEGs, 14-bit RAW (DNG), or JPEG/DNG image files at up to 4.5 fps in full-frame mode, or 6.5 fps in APS-C crop mode. Flash sync is 1/200-second and video can be captured at 1080/30p.
Storm clouds rolling in? No problem—the K-1’s magnesium-alloy body is thoroughly sealed against the elements.
The K-1 also features a 5-Axis image stabilization system that gives you a five-stop advantage with 5-Axis correction when shooting under difficult lighting conditions. Does the camera’s five-stop IS system work? According to the nighttime street shots I captured for this test, it sure does. Although I had a tripod with me, I didn’t unfold it until I began shooting 8- to 12-second exposures of stars around midnight.
If exposures of 8 to 12 seconds are too long for your needs, the camera offers you the option of cranking the ISO sensitivity upwards of 204,800. It’s also worth noting that few, if any, of the accompanying photographs were captured at ISO sensitivities higher than 1600, which is hardly a stretch for the K-1’s sensor and image processor.
Speaking of stars, one of the niftier features found on the Pentax K-1 is the AstroTracer function, which uses the electro-magnetic compass in the camera’s built-in GPS system to move the K-1’s sensor during long exposures and neutralize star movement due to the rotation of the earth when shooting astrophotography.
If you really want to maximize image quality, by increasing color accuracy, fine detail, and high ISO capabilities, you can place the camera into Pixel Shift Resolution Mode, which effectively captures a quick succession of four frames—each frame captured with the sensor moved 1-pixel to the left, right, up, and down. The four images are then processed and stitched in-camera into a single composite RAW or JPG optimized image file with an effective resolving power of about 42MP.
The Pentax engineering department went out of its way to integrate a pleasing blend of analog and digital controls on the K-1. If you grew up in the days of film cameras, you’ll feel right at home. Conversely, if you grew up digitally, you should find the K-1’s controls to be a walk in the park.
One of the more ambitiously designed features on the K-1 is the camera’s 3.2", 1,037,000-dot Cross-Tilt LCD, which utilizes four sliding struts for positioning the screen in a variety of angles. If you have a penchant for shooting at neck-breaking camera angles, this camera has your name on it.
Are you looking for that perfect composition and need to move your camera slightly to the left, right, up, or down but don’t want to—or can’t—move the tripod? The Composition Adjustment function on the K-1 allows you to shift the camera’s sensor slightly to the left, right, up, or down. Other features found on the Pentax K-1 include dual SD card slots and, for video shooters, external mic and headphone ports.
For adding a bit of in-camera dash to your photographs, the K-1 has a Custom Image mode that applies creative filters to your images. These filters include Auto Select, Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Flat, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, and Cross-Processing. In the case of Cross-Processing, if you like the effects of your chosen filter settings, they can be saved and applied to future image files.
Having grown up using DSLRs, I know when a camera feels good in my hand and I know when it doesn’t. Ergonomics are important to me and, though I’d readily prefer to sling a lighter camera and lens over my shoulder when out in the field, the K-1 and the 24-70mm zoom sat nicely and securely in my average-sized hands.
Combine good ergonomics with quick autofocus, quick shutter response times, 750-plus frames per charge, and Wi-Fi connectivity for remote triggering and image transfer, and you have a camera that more than satisfies my list of camera needs.
The Pentax K-1 is a long time coming, and there’s little doubt the Pentax engineering and marketing departments were bent on introducing a camera that wouldn’t disappoint serious shooters and maybe even serious pros.
As mentioned in the opening paragraph of this review, the quality of the pictures I captured with the K-1 surpass any weight considerations I have with this camera and lens. However, the Pentax K-1, which weighs 2.03 lb, is notably lighter than the Canon EOS 1D X Mk II (3.36 lb) and Nikon D5 (3.11 lb), and is just a smidgeon heavier than the Sony Alpha a99 II (1.86 lb).
What’s more, Pentax’s flagship K-1, which sells for well under $2,000 and is supported by an extensive line of full-frame FA and D FA-series lenses, costs about $1,300 less than the Sony a99 II, about $4,100 less than the Canon EOS 1D X Mk II, and about $4,600 less than a Nikon D5.
If you’ve ever questioned the pro qualities of Pentax cameras, the K-1 should put any doubts to rest. The camera is tough, packed with state-of-the-art features, and is more than up to the demands of working professionals and photo enthusiasts alike.
What are your experiences with Pentax cameras? We’d love to hear what you have to say about this ever-popular brand, in the Comments section, below.
The accompanying photographs of the Pentax K-1 camera and 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens were photographed using a Savage Product Pro LED 22" Light Table.
