Pentax K-01 Hands-on Preview: Digital Photography Review

Studio scene comparison (JPEG)

This is our standard studio scene comparison shot taken from exactly the same tripod position. Lighting: daylight simulation, >98% CRI. Crops are 100%. Ambient temperature was approximately 22°C (~72°F).

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Comments

Total comments: 388

Who cares about previous? Is DPReview so short on staff recently ? It's about time to see some proper reviews guys, please.

0 upvotes

To do a review, we first need to have a production level camera. Otherwise, all we can say about it with certainty is that it's yellow ;-)
BTW the word is "previews"

11 upvotes

I agree with you, eliaspt.

Logically, we see a preview and then a corresponding review later. We are still to see this pattern in dpreview. It's a bit of disappointing!

It is time to do more serious reviews, please.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

@ penguin45 - did you not read what Amadou said? WE DON'T HAVE A REVIEWABLE CAMERA YET.

4 upvotes

Evidently even penguins with 45 autofocus points with disconnect to R brain don't know what 'preview' and 'pre-production camera' means.

2 upvotes

I appreciate these previews as well. Of course, sometimes I would wish a full review sooner, but the preview still gives a hint about whether it's a camera to even consider. And if there is no production camera available it's either a preview or nothing, and then i definitely prefer a preview...

2 upvotes

It's the same sensor than K5, so IQ is more os less the same, very good. Only handling and AF differ.

0 upvotes

I thought you could use older lenses with this? I watched this on youtube earlier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOC05iPSbGY

0 upvotes

I've corrected that part of the preview.

Having spent an hour trying to get it to work with a pre-KA lens, and based on the user manual's statement 'Automatic Exposure with the aperture open (The aperture ring has no effect on the actual aperture value),' I though we'd got it right.

However, resetting the camera seems to have got it working. Sorry about the misunderstanding.

1 upvote

No problem, thanks for checking it out for us.

0 upvotes

I love this new anti-theft system they implemented.

6 upvotes

I gotta admit, that's a pretty funny thing to say :-)

1 upvote

Thanks, Amadou. When you get to testing, can you please have a look at using the onboard flash for daylight fill? I'm experiencing severe overexposure/blur with a variety of lenses and settings.

0 upvotes

It's cute from the front but too thick and bulky. I have looked through the K lens collection and to achieve an 18mm wide angle equivalent, it's just way too expensive. I bought a NEX-3 with 16mm and the Sony WA adapter = 18mm, the more powerrful flash, an 8gb card, camera case for less than $850. All the other hybrids want way more. You can pay $500 to 800 just for a WA lens.

0 upvotes

I question whether the designer is himself an avid photographer.

1 upvote

Designer has used Pentax Medium Format film cameras on design shoots for years. One can see the interview with MN on youtube.

2 upvotes

One thing I think that the designer added that is great is the flat ends of the body so it can be set on a surface for shooting in 3 different positions, not just on the base plate.

0 upvotes

Love the way they've made the body as thick as your average small car, yet they'll sell you a superslim pancake lens to put on it.....

Anyway, sorry Pentax - love some of your stuff, but this one is just 'orrible!

0 upvotes

The more the critique the more the mixed perceptions
The MORE I like it!
This is the camera for Me.
1.Unique astereotypical design
2.Native mount for ALL K mount from 60s to date (No other mirrorless have this)
3.Thick Fat body to compensate counterbalancing of zoom lens
4.IBIS (very few have this)
5.Video with manual and AF zoom using PRIME lens is a BONUs (very few have this)
6.Stereo Mic with optional stereo MIC input is unique among the peers
7.Smaller form factor ,better video and better IQ and better price package than the GOLD award winner brother K5 (forget about WR- rarely shoot in bad weather. important to protect yourself and your health rather than the camera)
7.920 dot LCD Ability to shoot and compose shots without OVF/EVF in any scenario and sunshine is an ART- needs plenty of experience ,patience and expertise and you have to learn instead of moaning
Must have this Must have that is infact material and personal OCD!!!
The person behind ANY camera is more important .

Comment edited 4 times, last edit 9 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Total comments: 388