The ergonomically shaped, far forward pull handle provides a good grip on the fingers. You also need it, after all, the camera with a good 1000 g no light weight. Its relatively flat pentaprism makes it smaller than it is. A flash is not installed.
Housing & Equipment
A good news, not only for Pentax fans: The first SLR camera from the manufacturer with full-format sensor (36 megapixels) is anything but a "me-too" product. The Pentax K-1 not only proves independence in the case of the housing design, but also scores with a sumptuous design at a comparatively low price of 2.000 euros.
Exposure & Autofocus
Among other things, the Pentax K-1 has an image stabilizer according to the sensor-shift principle on board - something like that in the full-format sector otherwise only Sony. In contrast to Pentax's APS-C models, the K-1's image stabilizer is working in five directions for the first time, and is expected to expand the free-fall recording limit by up to five f-stops.
Performance & Operation
Pentax can also not be lopped with the lenses: the D-FA series, which is designed for the full format, currently comprises 12 lenses covering a focal length range of 15 to 450 mm. Older lenses with K-bayonet can also be fitted (partly with adapter), says the manufacturer. In the APS-C mode (15 megapixels) the K-1 can also use Pentax DAO lenses with a smaller picture circle. Format conversion in the camera can be performed either automatically or manually.
Image recording
Please note: For this practice test we used a pre-production model of the K-1, which still does not give any definitive information about the picture quality - we will deliver the laboratory test as soon as possible.
The housing of the Pentax K-1 is a solid magnesium construction, protected by 87 gaskets against dust and splash water. The camera's ergonomically shaped handle is similar to a Nikon D750, but it weighs 170g.
The viewfinder is comparatively flat, the bright pentaprism detector covers 100 percent of the image field and offers a 0.7-fold effective magnification. Grid lines can be displayed, the mat screen can be changed as required. Two slots for SD cards are available for image recording.
A special feature is the TFT monitor of the K-1. It is quite large with a 3.2-inch diagonal monitor for a slew monitor, while the sophisticated design not only allows the user to pan upwards by 90 degrees, but also in all other directions by 35 or 45 degrees. The display always remains in the optical axis. The necessary joint construction with metal braces looks at first sight somewhat filigree, but according to the manufacturer, it is mechanically well resistant.
In addition to the TFT monitor, there is a monochrome, rather small LC display on the top, which provides information on ISO value, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation and battery power. What is new is that not only can the LC display be illuminated by push-button printing - several LEDs also illuminate the camera bayonet, the SD card slot, the remote release jack and the control panel on the back of the housing. The latter requires that the screen be pulled out of the housing, since the four necessary LEDs are located on the rear of the monitor. The headlamp has been used for night-time shooting.
The built-in sensor-shift system of the camera can be used not only for image stabilization, but also for other functions - for example, to make astronomical images with long exposure times, the body of heaven as points and not as stripes. It is also possible to fine-tune the image section when the tripod is photographed in the live view mode. It is also possible to simulate the function of a shift lens or narrow the horizon within narrow limits.
Even more interesting is "PixelShift Reso JPEG and DNG in comparison JPG without pixel shift 1 JPG with pixel shift 2 DNG without pixel shift 3 DNG with pixel shift 4 lution": The camera makes four shots in series Which move the sensor one pixel up, down, left and right, respectively. From this, the camera calculates a single image, which can be stored as JPEG or RAW. With this trick, color information does not need to be interpolated from neighboring pixels, as is the full 36 megapixel resolution for image recording, which makes for even more detailed detail.
For the exposure measurement the K-1 has an RGB sensor with 86,000 pixels. In addition to the usual exposure programs, the camera offers as special features the modes Sv (ISO pre-selection) and TAv for combined time / aperture pre-selection. The programs are selected with the mode wheel to the left of the roof edge prism, and the rest positions U1 to U5 correspond to the five individual memories. To switch between photo mode and video mode, a rather inconspicuous sliding switch is used in the vicinity of the LC display on the top. Due to the good attenuation of the mirror impact, the fin slit closure is pleasantly "soft", allows exposure times up to 1/8000 s and should be good for around 300 000 releases.
The Phase AF of the K-1 operates with 33 measurement fields, including 25 cross sensors. The system allows single AF (AF-S) and continuous autofocus (AF-C), the response threshold is LW -3. In addition to the automatic measurement field, single point AF and field grouping (zone AF) are possible. The position of the AF points can be determined or read off in a graph, not only in the viewfinder, but also in the status monitor - very pleasant! In Live View mode, the K-1 operates with Contrast AF, with auto-focus, single-field AF, focus tracking, and face detection.
Lesetipp
Since the laboratory test of the K-1 is still pending, no conclusive statements on the autofocus and serial image tempo are possible. The latter is indicated by the manufacturer with a maximum of 4.4 B / s in full format and 6.5 B / s in APS-C mode, and at least 70 images in succession should be possible. A little surprising for a SLR camera is that the contrast AF in the live view works much slower than the phase AF in the viewfinder operation. For videos you have to do without continuous auto focus and refocus with AF button. And because of the limitation to full-HD videos, one comes to the conclusion that the films with this camera rather a secondary role is.
The operating concept of the K-1 makes it clear that the wheel was not reinvented, but the bottom line still wanted to run rounder: Proven mixes with new elements. Example: the mode dial for the exposure programs. It has not only an unlocking button, which protects against unwanted adjustment, but also offers the possibility to switch off the locking mechanism by means of an additional sliding switch.
Conclusion
A whole new idea is the locking function wheel to the right of the roof edge prism with fixed functions: Exposure Compensation, ISO, Single / Series, Bracketing, HDR, Grid, SR (Shake Reduction), Crop (Format Switching) and WiFi. With the function dial and the thumb dial to the right, the settings can be easily and quickly performed (Smart function).
Apart from this, the K-1 offers various direct access buttons. Directly assigned to the shutter button one finds for example one button for the ISO setting and a second for exposure corrections. Rotating the on / off slide switch on the trigger beyond the on position will activate the workspace simulation. The GPS button allows quick access to the storage of location data, a lock button temporarily locks control buttons or dials, the AF mode button allows you to quickly configure the autofocus system. Three directional buttons on the multi-function selector (up, left, right) are fixed with setting menus for white balance, picture mode and shooting modes (single / series, self-timer, remote trigger, exposure series, multiple exposure, mirror presetting, interval shooting) >
The down arrow key is one of two freely assignable function keys, in the standard configuration you enter the setting menu "View setting outside". In this case, the monitor brightness can be adjusted either in two steps upwards or downwards to adjust the display of ambient brightness. The button with the green dot is also welcome: it resets setting values to the factory state or, if the ISO button is pressed at the same time, enables fast switching to ISO automatic.
The 3.2-inch monitor of the K-1 proves its quality in the live view as well as as information center in the viewfinder operation. In the status display, the oversized display of the exposure data as well as the graphic representation of the 4-way switch with assigned functions and the AF field configuration in the center are pleasing. If the button above the arrow-up key is pressed, Fields are shown enlarged, and the AF modes and AF fields can be adjusted using the arrow keys and the setting wheels. The same button is used in the playback mode to toggle between the two card slots.
The 36.4-megapixel sensor of the K-1 operates without an optical low-pass filter (which can be simulated if required by micro-vibrations of the mobile-mounted sensor). Laboratory values for limit resolution, deadleaves or dynamics were not yet available at the time of this practice test because a pre-production device was in use and the question of the quality of the Pentax lenses for the full format still needs to be answered
First test recordings with the 24-70mm standard zoom show the good to very good picture quality, especially up to ISO 800. Cross comparisons with DNG files also clearly show that the camera in RAW mode can mobilize significantly more power reserves. Especially with internal JPEG processing the switchable "Pixel Shift Resolution" with four partial exposures with a displaced sensor allows an additional picture quality - but only possible with static images.
The Pentax K-1 is a refreshing new entry in the market of semiprofessional SLR cameras. At a moderate price you get a 36 megapixel sensor with "5-axis" image stabilization, a flexibly adjustable 3.2-inch monitor, plus WLAN and GPS. The operating concept, which is oriented on traditional patterns, has been expanded by targeted details, although some may lack a touch-enabled monitor.
Pleasingly, Pentax is able to offer a round dozen compatible lenses for the new full-size camera, especially since the price is favorable for a bright standard zoom (D FA 2.8 / 24-70 mm) with 1400 euros. A comparatively good price / performance ratio promises the lavishly equipped Kameragehäuse for 2000 euro - there should not only Pentax fans come to mind.
The K-1 has already been added to the K-1 with the second purchase tip, and the image quality is calculated according to the laboratory test.
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