RealClear Summary
Posted On June 17, 2012
Mirrorless lens cameras have liberated interchangeable lens photography from the traditional d-SLR designs and Pentax's K-01 is certainly no slouch in pushing the design envelope. The 16-megapixel K-01 offers an APS-C size image sensor, records HD video (1920 x 1080) and offers a 3-inch LCD. Image stabilization is provided at the sensor-level and the camera is capable of shooting up to ISO 25,600. Expect to pay about $900 for the K-01 and an DA 40mm kit lens. Owners of Pentax lenses from earlier SLRs will be able to mount those to the K-01. Reviewers were happy with the K-01's image quality but many balked at the design - claiming it was bulkier than other mirrorless cameras. They were particularly irritated by the slow autofocus of the K-01, saying that sports photography would be particularly difficult.
Reviews Sources
Camera performance is where the K-01 starts to fall behind the competition. It's the K-01's autofocus speeds that are its weak point. They'll vary wildly depends on your choice of lens.
Image quality on the Pentax K-01 is excellent. The autofocus, not so much. Hard to see the value.
The IQ is great, the high ISO is fantastic but for me, the body design and lack of a VF stops it from becoming a camera I would own.
The Pentax K-01 is a bravely different but ultimately flawed entry into the mirrorless compact system camera market.
Larger than its peers, but interestingly designed, the Pentax K-01 can capture sharp photos in all types of light and delivers full compatibility with every Pentax K-mount lens ever...
From the outset the K-01 looked like an oddity and, sadly, our "weird" view remains unchanged. Super-designer or not, the K-01 is boxy, big and has less - not more - than the...
Refreshingly different and excels for image quality and features, but more expensive, slower to focus and not much smaller than an SLR.
We met the Pentax K-01 with skepticism, but ultimately stood corrected. Fans of the aesthetic will be more than satisfied with performance under the hood
It's a great option if you have a shelf full of K-mount lenses and don't mind missing some action shots, but the Pentax K-01 isn't such a great option for a typical amateur...
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