- Approximately 36.4 megapixels
- 35mm full-frame format CMOS sensor
- 5 axis, 5 shutter step built-in SR mechanism
- Pixels Shift Resolution
- ISO 204800
- Newly developed image engine, PRIME IV
- Flexible Tilt Type LCD monitor
- AA Filter Simulator
- New AF system, SAFOX 12
- Built-in Wi-Fi, GPS, Astrotracer
Throughout more than 50 years as a leading SLR camera manufacturer, PENTAX has always thought very seriously about this question, and developed the original technologies to provide good answers. It’s a history of never-ending innovation and evolution.
Based on its experiences and expertise accumulated over these years, PENTAX now has the final answer: a new 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera named PENTAX K-1. Proudly carrying the number “1” in its name, the K-1 reigns as the flagship of the acclaimed PENTAX K series.
While inheriting PENTAX’s traditional compact, durable body design, the K-1 adds essential values to the 35mm full-frame format, including state-of-the-art high-resolution technologies drawn from PENTAX’s development of medium-format models, an array of exclusive shooting features, and remarkable environmental adaptability in the field.
True to its number-1 naming, the PENTAX K-1 signifies the arrival of a new era in 35mm full-frame digital SLR cameras.
35mm full-frame CMOS image sensor The K-1 incorporates a newly developed 35mm full-frame CMOS image sensor, one that assures the highest image quality to be found in the K-mount SLR series. Thanks to its large imaging area and wide pixel pitch, this high-pixel sensor delivers lively, true-to-life images with rich gradation and minimal noise. Its shallow depth of field allows you to control the sense of depth and bokeh (defocused) effect at will.
Thanks to its approximately 36.4 effective megapixels, the K-1 delivers breathtaking, true-to-life images—the kind that will seize the viewer’s imagination. Its exceptional resolving power captures each leaf of a distant tree or every drop of a spray in the finest detail. Since it provides image data large enough to produce a brilliant A2-size print (at 300dpi), the photographer is assured of great flexibility in image composition, either by cropping the image during shooting, or trimming the captured image during processing. By processing large volumes of data with its 14-bit image-processing system, the K-1 delivers beautiful, rich-gradation images.
AA-filter-free design, to optimize resolving powerAn optical AA (anti-aliasing) filter will affect the camera’s image resolving power, even though it will help reduce moiré and false color. The K-1 incorporates an AA-filter-free design to optimize the image resolving power of its high-pixel image sensor.
PRIME IV imaging engineThe K-1 features a newly designed PRIME IV imaging engine. Compared with the previous PRIME III version, it is fine-tuned to process higher-resolution images, while boosting the operating frequency by nearly 50 percent. Its noise-processing algorithm has also been upgraded to capture beautiful, fine-gradation images at higher sensitivities. A combination of an advanced scene analysis system and new image-processing functions helps improve the accuracy and reliability of image reproduction.
Super-high ISO 204 800 sensitivity and exceptional image resolutionThe K-1 features a newly designed PRIME IV imaging engine. Compared with the previous PRIME III version, it is fine-tuned to process higher-resolution images, while boosting the operating frequency by nearly 50 percent. Its noise-processing algorithm has also been upgraded to capture beautiful, fine-gradation images at higher sensitivities. A combination of an advanced scene analysis system and new image-processing functions helps improve the accuracy and reliability of image reproduction.
By taking full advantage of the image sensor excelled in noise-resistance performance and the PRIME IV imaging engine, the K-1 provides a top sensitivity of ISO 204800 (at standard output sensitivity). This not only delivers high-resolution images free of tone jumps and graininess at high-sensitivity settings, but also improves image quality in the low-sensitivity range. Since the K-1 allows you to raise the sensitivity level to capture images equal in image quality to those taken at lower sensitivities, it expands the boundaries of photographic expression.
Pixel Shift Resolution SystemReinforced with the SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, the K-1’s Pixel Shift Resolution System captures four images of the same scene by shifting the image sensor by a single pixel for each image, then synthesizes them into a single, super-high-resolution composite image. Compared to the conventional Bayer system, this innovative system obtains all RGB color data in each pixel to deliver beautiful images with far more truthful colors and much finer details, without any hint of false color. This system also reduces high-sensitivity noise to a minimum. The difference in image quality is evident at a glance, even without magnifying the captured image on a computer screen or producing a large-size print. Images captured by the Pixel Shift Resolution System can be saved as RAW-format files. You can developed these files within the camera body while adjusting various parameters or turning the Pixel Shift Resolution effect on and off to create a new image.
AA filter simulatorBy using the camera’s SR mechanism to apply microscopic vibrations to the image sensor, the PENTAX-original AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator effectively minimizes moiré and false color along the image’s edges, which are common problems when shooting subjects with minute patterns. The K-1 allows you to faithfully reproduce your creative intention on a captured image, either by simulating the AA-filter effect for well-balanced images or by opting for the AA-filter-free mode for greater resolving power.
SR II in-body shake reduction mechanismThe PENTAX-original sensor-shift-type shake reduction mechanism has been upgraded to provide optimum compensation for all lenses used in handheld shooting. The new-generation SR II (Shake Reduction II) features a five-axis mechanism to compensate for camera shake caused by horizontal and vertical shift (often generated in macro photography) and camera shake caused by roll, which is difficult to handle by lens-installed shake reduction mechanisms, in addition to more common camera shake caused by pitch and yaw. The SR II unit is controlled with great precision as soon as the camera’s power is turned on, and provides a wide compensation range — as much as five shutter steps — to expand the limits of handheld shooting.
Operation Assist LightFour Operation Assist Lights are strategically positioned around the camera body: at the upper side of the lens mount, behind the LCD monitor, at the memory card slot, and at the cable switch terminal. With a push of the illumination button, you can turn them on to facilitate lens and memory card changes, control button operations, and attachment and removal of a cable switch, for more efficient, comfortable shooting of nighttime outdoor scenes and poorly lit indoor subjects.
High-precision AE/AF operation at -3EV illuminationAn illumination level of –3EV makes it difficult to see a subject with the naked eye, and almost impossible to make accurate focus with manual focusing. Even under such low-illumination conditions, the K-1 assures high-precision auto-exposure and autofocus operations. Thanks to its upgraded algorithm, its autofocus response time for poorly illuminated subjects is greatly reduced. Coupled with its super-high-resolution imaging power, the K-1 delivers exceptional shooting performance in dark locations.
Dependable dustproof, weather-resistant constructionA combination of the K-1’s 87 sealing parts and the optional D-BG6 Battery Grip’s watertight body prevents the intrusion of water and dust into their interior. When an AW- or WR-series lens is mounted,* the K-1 and its lens forms a remarkable digital imaging system totally resistant to demanding environmental factors.
-10°C cold-resistant constructionAnticipating use in cold locations, PENTAX has subjected the K-1 to exacting environmental tests at temperatures as low as -10°C, and gathered a vast array of data on operational precision, response and stability of mechanisms and circuits, as well as fluctuations in battery voltage. As the result, the K-1 assures solid, trouble-free operation even at freezing temperatures.
DR II (Dust Removal II) mechanismUsing its piezoelectric element, this innovative mechanism applies ultrasonic vibrations to the optical glass panel placed in front of the image sensor. This effectively removes all dust particles clinging to the image sensor surface, and prevents annoying dust spots from appearing on a captured image.
Extra-durable shutter unit After a series of exacting performance tests, the K-1’s shutter unit has proven its exceptional durability by withstanding a total of 300,000 shutter releases. It assures outstanding operational precision and exceptional durability required for exacting professional work.
SAFOX 12 The K-1’s AF frame has been widened to optimize the ease of image composition over a larger 35mm full-frame image field. Thanks to the development of a new SAFOX 12 AF sensor module, its autofocus area is approximately 40 percent wider than a conventional AF frame. In order to contain a longer optical path required for the expanded AF area within a compact housing, the K-1 features an innovative, efficient optical design in which the incoming light is turned back within the AF module. Thanks to the optimization of the condenser lens, it also provides an increased number of AF sensor points (33 in total). This state-of-the-art AF module boosts both compact dimensions and exceptional image-forming performance.
33-point AF system with 25 cross-shaped sensors The K-1’s sophisticated 33-point AF system has a high-density distribution of AF sensors to effectively monitor crucial areas of the image field, while providing 25 cross-shaped sensors to assure extra-accurate focus on the subject.
Three center sensors are designed to detect the luminance flux of an F2.8 lens for high-precision autofocusing. When using a very fast lens with a shallow depth of field, these sensors can greatly improve the focusing accuracy.
FullHD moviesThe K-1 records lively, true-to-life movies. Thanks to a shallow depth of field provided by its 35mm full-frame design, it effectively produces a beautiful bokeh effect. You can also record sound in stereo using a stereo microphone (commercial product, not included with the K-1), or monitor it during recording using headphones (commercial product, not included with the K-1).
Flexible Tilt-Type LCD monitorAiming at aligning the photographer’s line of sight precisely with the camera’s optical axis while providing a flexible angle adjustment, PENTAX has designed an ideal LCD monitor for the K-1 by creating an innovative mechanism that supports the monitor with four stays. This monitor has reached two difficult goals that conventional monitors have failed to attain: no deviation from the optical axis; and unrestricted tilt in all directions, horizontally or vertically. You can even tilt it up to a nearly 90-degree angle for low-angle and waist-level photography.
Auto Horizon Correction and Composition AdjustmentBy taking advantage of its SR mechanism, the K-1 helps you compose well-balanced, flawless
images. The Auto Horizon Correction function rotates the image sensor to compensate for the camera’s horizontal tilt, making it useful in handheld shooting. The Composition Adjustment function allows you to make minute adjustment of image composition with a shift of the image sensor. It comes in handy for Live View shooting using a tripod.
Digital levelThe K-1’s Digital Level displays bar scales at the right side and bottom of the viewfinder to indicate the horizontal and vertical tilt of the camera, allowing you to confirm the horizontal and vertical alignment of the subject without taking the eye off the subject. You can also display the Digital Level on the LCD monitor during viewfinder shooting, Live View shooting and movie recording
Smart Function The K-1’s Smart Function is a brand-new camera operation system harmonizing an array of features with ease of operation. This functional camera operation system lets you swiftly choose and set the desired function using just two dials positioned on the camera’s upper panel, without needing to refer to the menu screen on the LCD monitor.
Built-in GPS module and Electronic CompassThe K-1 features a built-in GPS module and Electronic Compass, which together display the camera's direction on the LCD monitor. These features allow you to attach Exif data to recorded images, including the location, direction and time of shooting (using Universal Time Coordinated). This comes in particularly handy in situations where you must make meticulous preparations in advance for the direction of shooting, such as the shooting of sunrise scenes and celestial bodies.
AstrotracerBy making full use of its GPS module, Electronic Compass and SR mechanism, the K-1 simplifies the astronomical photography of celestial bodies, without the help for an equatorial telescope. Based on the latitude data obtained from GPS satellites and other affecting factors (the camera’s direction and horizontal/vertical tilt) obtained by its various sensors, the K-1 calculates the movement of celestial bodies, then synchronizes the movement of its image sensor with that of celestial bodies with great precision. Since it captures stars without a streaking effect even during extended exposures, you can record faint stars, which are difficult to detect with the naked eye, as point images.
Optical viewfinder with a nearly 100% field of viewThe K-1’s optical viewfinder provides a nearly 100-percent field of view and a 0.7-times magnification to deliver a sharp, crisp view of the subject and a large, well-defined image field, both of which are the benefits of the 35mm full-frame SLR camera. This viewfinder also provides a clear view of the image field free of aberrations, even at the edges. Its Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen* makes it easy to identify the in-focus point, even during manual-focus operation
Wi-Fi compatibilityBy wirelessly connecting the K-1 with your smartphone, you can capture images from a distance, or browse them on the smartphone screen. You can set various shooting functions and change their settings, adjust the focus, release the shutter, and check the captured images.
Dual card slotThe K-1’s card slot accepts two SD memory cards, with a choice of three data filing modes: “Serial” to store a large volume of data successively from one card to another; “Duplicate” (simultaneous filing) for simplified data backup, and “RAW/JPEG Division” to separate data files based on the recording format. It is also possible to copy an image stored on one card to another.
