Pentax K-1 II Review in 2019

Pentax K-1 II Review: The new Pentax K-1 is the first time Pentax has ever made a 35mm full-frame digital camera. That’s amazing considering Canon and Nikon have been at it for years but also explains why Pentax has lagged behind for so long.

Pentax K-1 II Review:

The Pentax K-1 II is an upgrade to the first Pentax K-1 DSLR from 2016. Like its predecessor, it features a 36-megapixel full-frame sensor, in-body 5-axis image stabilization, and a rugged design. It gains extended high-ISO shooting, a hand-held version of the pixel-shift mode, and promises faster autofocus. It costs $1299, body-only.

When the first Pentax K-1 appeared a little over two years ago, it garnered a lot of excitement. Not only was it the first DSLR with a full-frame sensor to sport the iconic Pentax brand, but at $1600, it also offered remarkable value for money. Its 36-megapixel sensor had only previously been seen in substantially more expensive cameras such as the Nikon D810 and Sony Alpha 7R IV, and it included useful features such as 5-axis in-body image stabilization and an unusual flexible-tilt rear LCD.

Of course, the market hasn’t stood still since the K-1’s launch, but the Mark II still stands up very well in comparison to its closest competitors, the Canon EOS 6D Mark II and the Nikon D750, both of which cost almost exactly the same. However, there’s a new kid on the block, in the shape of the mirrorless Sony Alpha 7 III, which has redefined our expectations of what a sub-£2000 camera can offer. Compared to these redoubtable foes the K-1 Mark II still offers higher resolution and maximum ISO settings, but is this enough to keep it relevant?

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Enough weather sealing to last a lifetime
• Rock-solid build quality
• Easy to read LCD Screen
• In-Body Image Stabilization / Pixel Shift
• Gorgeous 100% coverage viewfinder
• Excellent image quality
• Dual SD Card slots
• Great battery life
• That little light above the lens mount

Cons

• Only 33 focus points
• Autofocus system won’t win any races
• Extremely heavy
• No touchscreen

Pentax K-1 Key Specifications

• 36.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor with no anti-aliasing filter
• 5-axis image stabilization rated to 5 stops by CIPA normal testing
• 100% pentaprism viewfinder with 0.7x magnification
• 33-point AF system (25 cross-type)
• Extensive weather-sealing
• 1/200 sec flash sync speed
• 14-bit Raw recording (DNG or PEF)
• AA filter simulation
• Multi-shot Pixel Shift Resolution mode
• Built-in GPS with electro-magnetic compass and Astrotracer function
• 4.4 FPS continuous shooting (6.5 FPS in APS-C crop mode)
• Wi-Fi
• 1080/30p video