Pentax unveils blue and white K-01 in Japan

Believe it or not, almost all the posters here have tried to compose in bright sunlight on LCD. You don't need to own K-01 to know the frustration.

Believe it or not, many posters have tried to use PDAF lenses with body in CDAF mode. Again, you don't need to own K-01 to know the frustration.

Jul 8, 2013permalink

minzaw

Believe it or not, almost all the posters here have tried to compose in bright sunlight on LCD.
You do need to practice to take good photos in bright day light on LCD is an art
It is only acquired through many many many practice
Taking a good picture only thru OVF is called Tunnelled vision
You maust have some sort of flexibility and good practice to take good pictures irrespective of of LCD or OVF or Swivelled LCD
At the end of the day it is the person BEHIND the camera not the equipment
Very few people have the capability

Jul 9, 2013*permalink

Karroly

And believe it or not, an OFV draws no power at all whereas an LCF/EVF needs all the image processing chain to work several frames per second. On a DSLR with the LCD off, the processor does virtually nothing except waiting for the photographer to press a key. Consequence : you can wait for hours, camera on, waiting for the right moment to shoot without draining your batteries when shooting sport events, wildlife and many more other subjects that need your camera to be on for a long time...
And with the DSLR totally off you can still frame, zoom and manually focus and switch your camera on only when you think what you can see through the OVF worths being recorded.
I am aware of the respective advantages of LCD and EVF. That is why I can see room for LCD, EVF and OVF for years to come...

Jul 9, 2013permalink

Charrick

And to those who have used it (not bought it, but used it) and still think it's crap, what do you have to say?

Jul 10, 2013permalink

@ Cane: Your posting did not make it clear to us wh3ther or not you yourself in fact OWN and USE the Pentax K-01. Well?

Jul 10, 2013permalink

jaygeephoto

Hmm. Opportunity missed, maybe. Perhaps a Tiffany version of this camera - blue is close and you could charge another $400~$500 more. Or, go towards the blue-green and put it behind the Clinique counter. Gotta work it.

Jul 8, 2013permalink

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2ClsUlay59Q/S_xz1YebG2I/AAAAAAAAA_U/T0P7V6Lr9gQ/s1600/2526160472_f68648e5b1.jpg

So nostalgic...

Jul 8, 2013permalink

Ricoh is a publicly owned company, with thousands of shareholders, and it just finished its huge restructuring after several rather larger acquisitions.

For those who are interested in more than ignorant rant, it would be good to see what investors and market analysts have suggested to Ricoh for the fiscal 2013: not to aggressively go into the camera market, which is very unstable at the moment. Ricoh already is profitable in its camera divisions, spreading across Pentax and Ricoh brands, and is also noting an increase of market share.

So what we'll see in near future are solid improvements that yield in secure income. Thus projects like the resurrected K-01, made by popular demand, require zero new cost but secure income. There are many who love the camera just because it's quirky, and because it's different than anything else.

Jul 8, 2013*permalink

A very reasonable comment. This camera inspires a lot of derision. I also hated it until I bought one when the prices became ridiculously low. This camera takes wonderful pictures and the bundled 40mm limited pancake lens is wonderful as well. The only problem (for me) is that the AF is very slow.

I'm in Japan right now and I think this camera will be a relative success here and in other parts of Asia. The camera market in Asia is different from the US and Europe. Mirrorless cameras have been embraced here; I see people using Pentax Q's all the time. This is a pretty good decision if Ricoh is focused on the Asian market.

Jul 8, 2013permalink

Tim F 101

A lot of people deride the camera because it put a big unused empty space inside the body in order to keep the same flange distance. This was a lazy move by Pentax, but understandable because a lesser-tier camera company (not a moral judgment; not every one can or should invest all-in like Canon and Nikon) can hardly be expected to sustain development of three non-compatible lens lines. This lets people use their existing lenses, which is nice, but it leaves zero reason to buy the mirrorless body when a K SLR uses the focus mode, PDAF, for which the lenses were designed.

It takes great pictures just like a K-5 or a K-30. So why not buy those? Choosing a very slightly smaller mirrorless forces a bunch of compromises that strike most people as pointlessly masochistic.

Jul 8, 2013*permalink

bossa

Something tells me that older manual focus lenses (A , M, K series and M42) weren't designed for PDAF. This camera is fantastic with focus peaking for older lenses and after upgrading the firmware it's pretty fast with AF, depending on the subject matter.

The people on here trashing the camera and the few who are also trashing the reputation of one of the worlds most successful (and important) industrial designers can't see it but they are really advertising their own *visual illiteracy*. Great photography is just as dependent on understanding aesthetics, visual language, human perception, psychology and the nature of 'Art' as any plastic art-form and showing off your ignorance of these things isn't something to be proud of.

Jul 8, 2013permalink

Tim F 101

It hurts me to say that Pentax must have had this planned for a long time to announce it after they already canceled development on the body. It's blue. Planned for a long time. Yeah, let's all just move on.

Jul 8, 2013permalink

It's like one of those cheap horror movies: when the bad guy has been "killed" and you know he's just going to stand around the next corner AGAIN.
it's not even funny.

Maybe pentax should hire a different designer... just hinting,.

Jul 7, 2013*permalink

schaki

Dammit Pentax... GTFO with this joke and that comes from one which like some of the Ricoh compacts though not some of the more questionable products like Pentax Q etc.

Jul 7, 2013permalink

I consider Q (especially Q7) to be much less questionable than K-01.
Look at it this way: Q is basically an enthusiast P&S with interchangeable lenses. Which is not a bad thing, considering you can attach to it a fisheye, primes and nice zooms.
On the other hand K-01 is a unworkabke monster crippled by its lack of CDAF lenses, lack of (optional) viewfinder and by DSLR flange distance.

Jul 7, 2013permalink

While I generally dislike following the herd in my judgements, this time I agree with crowd wisdom. This camera is simply wrongly conceived from the very start. Using PDAF-optimized lenses with CDAF results in poor AF, huge flange distange results in aesthetic/ergonomic disaster, lack of viewfinder makes the focus-peeking assisted MF difficult.
Pentax got the concept of mirrorles completelly wrong

Jul 7, 2013permalink

robbo d

Glad Ricoh don't take any notice of your judgement then.....and other nay sayers.
It's aimed at the Japanese market, who Love this sort of thing. Recent firmware upgrades have improved AF, Japanaese don't care about VF's, colour is all the rage over there.
Ka-chin$$$ it's a profitable move.......
Concept of mirrorless is ???? .....narrow minded.
Use of millions of old retro lenses.....priceless
Think about it

Jul 9, 2013permalink

(unknown member)

Let me know when the "Hello Kitty" version comes out. My g/f loves pink.

Jul 6, 2013permalink

dpreviewblog

:)) OFFICIALLY DISCONTINUED body.... but re-borned and repainted... :)) IMHO... that means that Ricoh is unable to make a new REAL product for the market...

Jul 6, 2013permalink

Yes, indeed, or so it would appear to the casual observer.

Okay, so PENTAX had DISCONTINUED (!!!!) the K-01 model about 4 months ago. And now they are bringing out a blue/white version of this same exact discontinued model? Just what is up with that, though?

"Love" the USD $750 price of the blue/white K-01.... considering that the black/black and yellow/black and black/white models can still be gotten on amazon.com for around $300.

Re. the Pentax dual-paint color schemes (K-01, K-50).... finally, a camera that can look good and take great pictures and good video. I really dislike those boring-boring-boring all black-on-black camera bodies.... how lame they are, how not with-it in the design department.

Jul 6, 2013permalink

"I really dislike those boring-boring-boring all black-on-black camera bodies.... how lame they are, how not with-it in the design department."

Right, so a camera is "lame" just because it doesn't come in other colors. Meanwhile, Pentax thinks they can make their cameras awesome just by slapping a different color scheme on them. Right.

Sure, a bit of color in the marketplace is great. But I'd hardly call a camera "lame" just because you can't match it with your purse or nail polish, Francis.

Jul 7, 2013*permalink

Canikons and Pannys and Olys and really, most of the other digi jobs out there today are ever so very much boooooring in design compared to what Pentax (and Ricoh) dares to dream up and deliver. These other all-black design jobs must be for folks who think that a car should also be available in any color, as long as that color is black and nothing but black.

Besides the great looking colors, Pentax-cams and jam pack full of innovations.

Jul 10, 2013permalink

kgreggain

I own one and paid pretty well full price when it came out. It actually creates decent images. I don't care about all that external crap people are bitching about, for me, it uses my Pentax lenses, and I use a Hoodman for the viewfinder when shooting video. At 895.00 with the 40mm 2.8xs it was not worth it, but at the current of about 400 or so, it's a decent little camera.

I'm not a Pentax fanboy by any means, I just like the camera. I also shoot Nikon and Olympus - I think Pentax got some pretty bad raps about this camera, but all in all it's not that bad.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Sure sensor produces nice imaged. But in order to produce them, the lens have to be focused efficiently, you know. And the whole package has to work in your hands well.
How quickly does it focus your PDAF optimised lenses with CDAF ? And how do you use its focus-peeking optimised MF in bright sunlight without viewfinder ?
Does really Pentax force you to use its great K-5-like sensor in such a uncomfortablr way ?

Jul 7, 2013permalink

I love the camera but I have to agree, it's not worth it for the original retail price. I also don't care about fast AF (I'm not interested in shooting sports) and using a loupe gets around the lack of an EVF if needed. I like the fact that Pentax/Ricoh decided to use the original K mount; now I can use pretty much any Pentax lens produced for the last 50 years. Of course this makes the camera bigger but that doesn't bother me too much.

Jul 8, 2013permalink

Mahmoud Mousef

Pentax/Ricoh big boss:
"No more outside designah!"

Pentax DSLR designer:
"We told you this was hideous boss, but you insisted on this Australian who knows nothing about ergon..."

Pentax/Ricoh boss:
"Silence! New colour coming!"

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Soggoth

Still ugly as hell

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Its not ugly. The blue one looks quite nice IMHO.

What I don't like is the rubber flaps as doors. It feels flimsy.

I also think it should be slimmer and lighter and have a good grip.

And K02 should have 24 MP.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Juck

A K-02? Yeh right, Pentax are *that* dense.

Jul 5, 2013*permalink

A slimmer and lighter version with a good grip would be just fine.

Jul 6, 2013permalink

And what are you now, a beauty queen? :~))

Jul 6, 2013permalink

FUGLY,,, the design is completely fubar.

Jul 7, 2013permalink

Tim F 101

You cannot make the mirrorless K's slimmer. Pentax got lazy with this system and kept the flange distance identical with their SLR's so that they would not have to design any new lenses. Of course this leaves a large empthy space in the body which serves no purpose and makes it imossible to design bodies of reasonable size.

This body was a cheap cop-out from conception, justified (in the loosest sense) only by the long shot gamble on a celebrity designer.

Jul 7, 2013permalink

Bendik

A giant leap for mankind

Jul 5, 2013permalink

....over the cliff.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

petebfrance

It's quite cheerful, really. Nice one, Pentax.

Jul 5, 2013*permalink

It is cheerful definitely.. in fact my depression is gone by just staring at it ten minutes twice a day.

Jul 6, 2013permalink

Mahmoud Mousef

cheery would be getting a Pentax desisgner back at the designing reigns and adding an EVF :)

Jul 6, 2013permalink

peevee1

Right, because replacing the 16-mpix Sony sensor from NEX-C3 with 16-mpix Sony sensor from NEX-5r (with PDAF), and writing firmware so the PDAF would actually work, was too much work for 18 months. They'd rather build it in a few more colors.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

What makes you think this PDAF sensor is available to Pentax?

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Re-posting an answer of mine from below, why do I think this is a failed product:

1. Because there are others who can do better.
2. Because Pentax could do better.
3. Because its lifespan measured months (except for Japan, apparently).
4. Because hardly a year after announcement it sell for half its initial price.
5. Because the nicely build metal body was overwhelmed by funny plastics.
6. Because the design belies its enormous capabilities.
7. Because it's a genuine idea spoiled by bad execution.
8. Because there are SO many things Pentax could have done right and didn't.

And to be clear, I truly admire and love Pentax, a K10D is the camera I've had used the most of all the cameras I had. But as I said, I admire them, not worship them.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

You're also another old man that hasn't used one.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

I'm old enough to have the wisdom not to. You probably stopped reading before the point when I say that I have been using a Pentax for a long time. Nice knowin'ya, kiddo.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

@Gully. Lets say that you like to use the LCD as view finder. Lets say that it does not bother you that it is larger than other mirror less cameras. Lets say that you think it looks cool. Lets say that you really like the focus peaking and the possibilities to use it for macro photography. Lets say that it take nice images for you.

Would you still think it is a failure?

Personally I believe it to be a failure market wise. But this new blue thing makes me confused regarding that belief.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Let's say that I'd buy the K-30 (back then). It came in more colors too.

But seriously, I said that this is a great idea, and back then when it was originally announced, I was very positively surprised. It's an original but poorly executed idea and I number as many arguments as I can think of. That's not so hard to understand. A (very) poorly judged move by Pentax, that's all.

It's nice to be romantic and look down at it as the ugly duckling with a promising future, but markets don't work that way. I understand the people who look at it as a fine product but its so redundant and unrealistic (as presented by Pentax) that it just doesn't make sense.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Cane

So you are an old man. Well this is shocking. Now back to yelling at kids to get off your lawn.

Jul 6, 2013permalink

Great, personal attacks. Run out of arguments eh?
We are talking about a camera and I'm pointing out why I believe it was a failure. If you like it so much, that's great, it's not a bad camera, never said that. But don't pretend it was not a failure because even Pentax doesn't believe you.

Jul 6, 2013permalink

C'mon, good people. It's only a camera, you know.

BTW, I had wanted to say "it's only a FRIG-GING camera," but since DP Review now must be taking its orders from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. National Security Agency, I was not permitted to post that "curse" word.

Kindergarten 101, here we come.

Jul 7, 2013permalink

Gesture

A mirrorless camera really needs a shorter flange distance: makes the camera more compact; allows one to use thousands of extant lenses. Then, make an affordable, quality adapter for your K-mount glass and include it with the camera.

The Samsung NX1000 (now available for $300 w/lens) runs rings around a camera like this. Same APS-C size sensor, compact as any interchangeable lens camera out there, excellent video and world-class interface and ergonomics. Only thing lacking from K-01 is in-body shake reduction.

Jul 7, 2013permalink

I think this is a market failure only if Pentax/Ricoh were concerned ONLY with the US/European market. In Japan and other parts of Asia the K-01 and Q were and are rather popular. The truth is, focusing on the Asian market, particularly China, is not a bad business move at all. As for the size. I think that having to use an adapter would largely negate any size benefit gained from using a new mount. Add in the price for a good adapter that has AF/AE capabilities, using the old K-mount for the K-01 was probably not that bad of an idea, especially considering that the Q-line is Pentax's "mirrorless" offering.

Jul 8, 2013permalink

kadardr

This is a great entertainment item and has an enormous PR value. According to all posts below.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Yeah - thats right. This was a huge surprise.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

RichRMA

Those crying for new features like articulated LCDs and dual controls dials also miss the point. The camera is a specific, artistic (like it or leave it) DESIGN. Deviating from that like you would with any plain-jane black DSLR would corrupt the design. It would be like putting four doors on a 1970 Corvette. It might make it more acceptable for some users, but would compromise the design.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

I hear you but I don't think adding a second dial or an articulated LCD would have compromised the design that much.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

marike6

Pentax only added a blue grip on the white model and people are carrying on like they just released a paisley print camera with fuchsia accents and a tangerine colored kaleidoscope lens.

If blue is not your thing, great. But why announce to the world just how drop dead boringly conservative your tastes are? Or repeat the same jokes that have now been made 100 times?

No, this is not the Hasselblad Lunar or some bizarre psychedelic ET space camera. It's a white K-01 with a light blue grip!!!

Nobody cares if it offends your scary good taste or aesthetic sensibilities.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Catalin Stavaru

Wasn't the K-01 discontinued a short while ago ?

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Thats a good question. Frankly - I thought so. But now ...

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Gary Martin

Attention DPR forum shoppers: relax, this product is not intended for you. It seems that the DPR news department is trolling its own site!

Jul 5, 2013permalink

attomole

What a pile of crap
Im holding out for the purple fade camo edition with the strawberry pentaprism and gold accented highlights.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

I guess you know your crap then.

Jul 6, 2013permalink

MarkInSF

Just move along to the K-50 aisle. You can have that one in crushed strawberry and antique gold. Or whatever they call those particular shades. Good little camera, too. If Pentax has figured out how to let people buy their cameras in their school colors, good for them. Some of the combinations are garish, but others seem quite nice.

Jul 6, 2013permalink

To all the close minded people, this is a great camera. It has a way better fit and finish in the hand than any of your plasticky Panny-Canikons. It takes better pictures than any of your m4/3's. I can't help that for a creative hobby, none of you allow the least bit of uniqueness in the camera itself. I'd take this over your boring black boxes any day. And for the size, I'll get better pics as well.

Jul 5, 2013*permalink

I bet you can take the same or better with my K-5, except for close ups. K-5 does not have focus peaking.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

you can take the same or better with my K-5, except for close ups. K-5 does not have focus peaking."

For video, K-5 and K-5II are not too good, and K-01 can now be had brand new for only $300. Best bargain of the decade so far, surely. Thanks for that, Amazon.

Jul 6, 2013permalink

veers

It is so beautiful. Please sell it outside Japan too.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

jkoch2

Sky blue cars, scarves, shirts, and pants. So why not cameras too? Such a cheery color. Cameras need not be all black or silver, like autos in Korea. The phobia towards different colors must reflect some people's advanced age: growing up with the Model T, they never new any color but black. Not even a high court decision would change their "just the usual, please" minds.

Newson is Australian, so the design and colors may be in sync with taste down in the land of OZ--where folks delight in bright shades of emerald, ruby, yellow, and azure--and where black and white serve only to designate witches.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Dimit

Hundreds of comments aesthetics wise,but..best value for money ever! OHh and Canon M+22/f2 $299 !! ..A notice to all wannabe experts: Be smart and buy!!!

Jul 5, 2013permalink

But buy WHAT? The K-01 or the Canon M? One of each, perhaps?

Jul 6, 2013permalink

Well at least i don't have to say "smile" anymore taking picture with this camera.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

- (wrong spot)

Jul 7, 2013*permalink

Why? JUST WHY?

Jul 5, 2013permalink

In hydraulis

Continued customer demand.

Trouble reading?

Jul 5, 2013*permalink

This is actually a great freak'n camera, why, just why are people too block headed to get it?

Jul 5, 2013permalink

About people being "block headed" for NOT getting it...

Honestly, camera wise it might not be bad - but it's certainly not the best in it's price-range (actually not by far).

So why do I ask, should I buy something I consider hideous by design, not very ergonomic (I've handled one), is way too attention-grabbing and looks like a disney toy.
Why should I deprive myself of the joy from instead buying something that's at least as functional (easily more so) and an aesthetic joy?
Call me block haded, but only because a company decides to stick some designer's name on it doesn't make the item any better.

Jul 7, 2013permalink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP0sqRMzkwo

Even to Pentax users and fans, sometimes it seems the Pentax is run by Monty Python. Like all The Pythons in their way, Pentax is incredibly talented and capable engineering bunch, but they just want to have a fun with it.
And you never know, even in moments when they don't seemingly fool around, whether they're serious, or having fun with you again.

Jul 5, 2013*permalink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHPOzQzk9Qo

And I guess the official anthem of Pentax is "Always Look on the bright Side of Photography" :)

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Pentax needs to remember that cameras have to be serious! They are for serious people, and must be black and all look the same. It makes your photo's so much better.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

It actually is quite funny to visit photo fairs or exhibitions. The visitors are generally are all but colorful. Its like they are monochrome photos, all of them.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

cheddargav

Back in 2004/05 when I was 100% novice (now only 70% novice), I went to Jessops and tried the then all powering Nikon D70. It was great, I was set to buy, but then I saw a Pentax: the *ist DS. It was smaller, I liked that. It sat nicely in the hands, I liked that. So, despite the AF being a bit crappy by comparison, I bought the Pentax. And thus started a 6 year love affair that only ended when I decided to take wedding photography seriously, and moved to the Canon full frames.
So here's the thing: Pentax were the leaders a few years back in beautiful small primes, everyone in the forums were desperate for a FF camera to put the 3 legends on (the 31, 43 and 77) but it never happened. Then small, mirrorless cameras came along, led by Olympus: surely a market perfect for Pentax? But again, it didn't happen, until... the K-01. I just can't understand how Pentax failed so badly.
I'm praying that Ricoh help them design a great small camera

Jul 5, 2013permalink

http://www.pentax.jp/japan/news/announce/20121221.html

"... I'm praying that Ricoh help them design a great small camera".

You mean, the Q? :)

Jul 5, 2013permalink

parallaxproblem

Totally agree

The Limited lenses would have been a perfect vehicle for the sort of 'retro-styled', well constructed camera which now seems to be all the rage but even now they still haven't entered that market

Making pancake primes for m43, or NEX or even setting-up a serious contending mirrorless mount would also have been a natural move but they missed that option as well

And many more squandered chances... But they were always very keen to keep changing the colours of their existing models :-/

A very strange company that has let every opportunity slip through their fingers

I've still got my Pentax gear and am still waiting for something good while I use my Sony equipment... but my patience is starting to wear thin

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Richard Murdey

Pentax Q10 Evangelion edition Type. 01 "Rei"

I new I'd seen that color scheme someplace before.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Mapel

I wonder where is accomodated the progressive knife

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Tonkotsu Ramen

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/01/28/Pentax-Japan-offers-colorful-special-edition-Evangelion-Q10

Was posted here too. It's also a different shade of blue.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Mister J

Pentax may have missed a trick by not finishing this in a dinky Wedgewood pattern.

A pantheon of relevant Greek gods dancing along the bottom might raise the cam from its Hello Kitty roots.

Or perhaps a satin-steel stealth finish might be better.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

LightBug

Here is hoping there will be a follow up K-02. The K-01 I have is getting used mostly everywhere I go now.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Poweruser

Autofocus will still be hilarious. Same as highlight clipping.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

marike6

Highlight clipping? The K-01 has the same 16 mp Sony Exmor sensor as the K5 which has huge, class leading DR.

You must be confusing the Pentax with a Canon DSLR or 12 mp Panasonic m43 camera.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

peevee1

marike6, I don't think it is the same sensor as K5/D7000/NEX-5N - it looks like the same sensor as NEX-C3/K-30 etc - 12-bit model. With about 12EV of DR, not 14.

Jul 5, 2013*permalink

peevee1, granted, but highlight clipping? The least this sensor has to worry about.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

gs85739az

Still looking for the greatly rumored and high anticipated "Hello Kitty" cam...

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Better than no color at all...

Jul 5, 2013permalink

peevee1

I am not so sure, transparent camera (with just light shield for the sensor) would be cool. :)

Jul 5, 2013permalink

bossa

That WOULD require transparent Aluminum (Aluminium) but we aren't Star Trek yet.. are we? (well maybe some of us are ;-0)

Jul 6, 2013permalink

Joseph S Wisniewski

Canon announces a new sensor that will change the face of the mirrorless market, and Pentax announces powder blue?

This old Pentax fan just wants to hide.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

RichRMA

Pentax has to wait for Sony to announce a new technology for that.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Realistically, I don't think every company can take on a big ship like Canon or Sony, competing against them with cutting edge new sensors and technologies. So I think it's smart for Pentax to go after a different segment of the market...the segment of the market that wants fun, colorful cameras that still perform well. As long as Canon sticks with basic black, and doesn't start offering multi-color bodies in shades like powder blue, etc, then I think Pentax has found a niche that they can have to themselves. I can easily see my sister being attracted to these colorful Pentax cameras, over "boring" black.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

The funny thing is that this K-01 is still beating all the crop Canon DSLR in IQ. Maybe the 70D will catch up this time?

Jul 5, 2013permalink

bossa

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but prior to the new 70D wasn't Canon using the same 18MP sensor on just about everything?

Jul 6, 2013permalink

garyknrd

Pentax is such a different company. Not sure what to think anymore.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Richard Murdey

It's ba------aack!

Jul 5, 2013permalink

tnun

where is the b****y harm? All the good things about this camera are very good, and the bad things are pretty bad. I enjoy the sweet and sour, the black and white, which my copy is. I could have got black, but I thought this a clever adjunct to my stylish grey coif. waiting for the blue rinse maybe.

if you have any kind of Pentax system, this is cheap backup not to be ashamed of.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

RichRMA

"Serious" photographers who simply must have all cameras in black on black are no different than the average driver today who seems incapable of choosing a car unless it is white, black or grey. It's depressing that so many people are lock-step conformists, terrified of what their friends or neighbhours might think if they deviate from the "norm."

Jul 5, 2013permalink

tkbslc

This has nothing to do with the K-01 being available in blue. It's the fact that almost 18 months after launch, instead of improving anything in terms of function or features, Pentax relaunches the same product in a new color. To rub it in, they even make on official press release about it.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

Tonkotsu Ramen

"Pentax's press release suggests that its resurrection is due to continued customer demand in Japan"

Do you fit that category? If not, then you must ask yourself why you are complaining.

Jul 5, 2013permalink

marike6

@tkbslc
It's a Pentax Japan announcement, not an "official announcement" of an international product launch. It's not clear why DPR is posting this announcement at all. Is DPR going to start announcing all Japanese market releases as if they have significance people everywhere?

Jul 5, 2013permalink