Skip to main content

Pentax’s long-awaited full-frame DSLR goes on sale in April

Updated on March 4, 2016: Ricoh Japan uploaded several samples taken with the K-1 (via PetaPixel). If you have a large display, enlarge the photos to full-view and check out the terrific details.

Ricoh has announced the arrival of its first full-frame (35mm) DSLR, the Pentax K-1. The camera has been long awaited by photographers, particularly Pentax shooters, and bridges the gap in the Pentax lineup between the APS-C DSLR and medium-format cameras. The K-1 will be available in April, priced at $1,800 (more affordable than other high-end full-frame cameras, but not the cheapest either).

This particular camera’s development was announced last year at the CP+ show in Japan, but a full-frame Pentax camera has been teased since 2001, as DPreview points out. The K-1 gives current APS-C Pentax users a higher-resolution option without trading up to the pricier medium-format camera (or leaving the brand altogether), and the ability to use existing Pentax lenses.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The weather-sealed K-1 uses a 36.4-megapixel full-frame sensor (rumors suggest it’s a Sony sensor used in the A7R), 5-axis image stabilization (SR II Shake Reduction), 33-point autofocus system (25 cross-type points), and a new optical viewfinder with close to 100-percent field of view. The K-1 uses an anti-aliasing simulator instead of a filter, like in the K-3 and K-3 II. It also features Pixel Shift Resolution (also found in the K-3 II) that lets you take even higher resolution photos by shifting the sensor by a single pixel to shoot four images, which are then merged to create the photo. ISO sensitivity ranges between 100-204,800.

Sample image with Pixel Shift on.
Sample image with Pixel Shift Resolution turned on. Click to see the details in the full-sized image at 7360 x 4912. Ricoh Imaging

Photography is the K-1’s strong point – it can shoot 14-bit RAW files. It can also record video at Full HD 1080, but only up to 30p (H.264 format); there is a mic input, however. Continuous shooting is at 4.4 frames per second, up to 23 in RAW or 70 in JPEG.

The K-1’s 3-inch LCD has a “flexible-tile” mechanism that lets you position it in a variety of angles. There are also small LEDs, called Operation Assist Lights, which help you operation the camera in low light, such as changing lenses, setting controls, or swapping memory cards. A Smart Function dial lets users quickly select frequently used settings. There’s also Wi-Fi for pairing with phones and tablets, and GPS for geotagging purposes. The K-1 has dual SD card slots.

With the K-1’s Crop Mode, existing Pentax lens owners can use Pentax APS-C lenses with the camera. At launch, there will be 12 compatible lenses, including two new options: a 15-30mm f/2.8 ultra-wide-angle zoom ($1,500, in April) and a 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 compact zoom ($500, in April). Both new lenses are designed for the K-1 (they can be used with Pentax APS-C cameras but cropped), and feature special coating to reduce lens flares and ghosting, and a quick-shift system for switching between auto and manual focus. The 15-30mm lens also has a Supersonic Direct-drive Motor (SDM) for quiet operation, and a weather-resistant construction. It gives you the benefits of a fixed prime lens, but a bit of zoom when you need it.

Les Shu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am formerly a senior editor at Digital Trends. I bring with me more than a decade of tech and lifestyle journalism…
Cyber Monday Sony camera deals: Save on camera body and lenses
sony-a9-best-mirrorless-camera

There are a lot of Cyber Monday deals that are turning out some impressive discounts right now. This is great news if you’re looking to save on a camera, as Cyber Monday camera deals have some of the best prices we’ve seen all year. This is especially true among Sony cameras, as some of its most popular cameras are seeing discounts. We’ve tracked down all of the best Cyber Monday Sony camera deals, and you can find them all below.
Our top pick: Sony ZV-1F vlogging camera — $398 $500 20% off

Vloggers and content creators regularly turn to the Sony ZV-1F for their camera needs. It can shoot in 4K resolution, which is pretty impressive for such a small-bodied camera. And while it’s designed with some features that make it nice for filming with, this is also a quality photography camera if you’re looking for something small and pocketable. You can grab the ZV-1F for under $400 with this Cyber Monday deal, which is a 20% discount and a savings of more than $100.

Read more
Best Cyber Monday camera deals: DSLR, action cameras, and more
Canon EOS R10 camera mirrorless with STM lens attached and flash up

Cyber Monday has come and gone, but many retailers still have excellent Cyber Monday deals. This makes right now your last chance to get some early holiday shopping done or to pick up some tech for yourself. Photographers should be glad to hear this, as there are a lot of Cyber Monday camera deals already available. We currently see models discounted from top brands like Canon, Nikon, Sony, and others. You can also check out these Cyber Monday laptop deals and Cyber Monday tablet deals so you can access content on the go.
Canon EOS R100 with 18-45mm lens — $350 $600 42% off

Canon is a favorite among photographers, and if you’re looking for an entry-level camera from the long-time camera maker, the EOS R100 offers up $250 in Cyber Monday savings here. The camera itself has a 24-megapixel sensor that can capture beautiful photos and 4K video. You’ll also get three free months of iCloud+ with this camera, and the Canon RF-S 18-45mm IS lens.

Read more
Don’t miss the chance to get this 128GB SD card for less than $100
The Lexar 128GB Professional 2000x UHS-II SDXC Memory Card on a white background.

Your new purchase from camera deals will need storage for photos and videos, but you can't buy just any SD card that you see online. It's highly recommended that you invest in a high-quality storage device like the Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II SDXC Memory Card, which you can currently get from B&H Photo Video with a $75 discount on its 128GB version that brings its price down from $170 originally to a more affordable $95. You may want to buy multiples of this SD card while it's available for less than $100, but you'll have to hurry because we're not sure how much time is remaining on this bargain.

Why you should buy the Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II SDXC Memory Card
More devices are using microSD cards for expanded storage, but according to our guide on finding the right memory card for your digital camera, most DSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras are still using SD cards like the Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II SDXC Memory Card. Lexar is one of the brands that we wouldn't hesitate to recommend to photographers, and this SD card's read speed of 300 MB/s and write speed of 260 MB/s will enable quick transfers and smooth shooting. Additionally, as an UHS-II card, you won't have a problem with advanced functions such as continuous shutter bursts, rapid shooting, and raw and JPEG captures.

Read more