Pentax K-01 Digital Mirrorless

John_Farragut

Pentax K-01 is out. Interesting camera.

THE FIRST K-MOUNT MIRRORLESS

16.28 Megapixel CMOS sensor form the K-5
New Prime M imaging engine
New quieter mechanical shutter
Optional H.264 video format
New advanced HDR mode
Full-HD video recording (24/25/30fps) and 720p video recording at up to 60fps (a first for Pentax)
Native KAF2/KAF3 mount works with thousands of lenses, manual and modern alike
81-point selectable contrast detect autofocus
6FPS shutter delivering a 1/4000s maximum shutter speed
ISO 100-25,600
Sensor-shift shake reduction (SR)
Ultrasonic dust removal (DR)
3 inch VGA LCD monitor with 170-degree angle of view ("921,000 dots")
Design by Marc Newson (but not weather-sealed)
3 colors: silver & black, black, black & yellow
Weighs just 480 grams without the battery - lighter & smaller than the K-r
12.1cm wide x 7.9cm tall x 5.9cm deep

Available for about $640-700

Reviews:

Available at:

More Pentax news at: http://www.pentaxforums.com/#ixzz1lF5SbvcX

http://www.mirrorlessrumors.com/pentax-k-01-announced-news-reviews-and-preorder-roundup/ http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/digital-mirrorless/K01.html

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Love this camera

https://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/column/akagi/1325692.html

MikeLinn

Flaaandeeers

@Vitaliy_Kiselev
Thanks for the feedback!

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@Flaaandeeers

May be look around for NX500 or at least NX300 online deals? They really happen and it is very cheap cameras for their features.

I also do not know that is wrong with GH4 for stills.

As for this brick, it is outdated, but something you always appreciate.

Flaaandeeers

Hey there. I'm not really using the GH4 for stills, just for video with manual SLR Magic, adapted glass and anamorphic adapters. I've had the 12-35mm 2.8 and sold it due to lack of use and need for money.
Now I'm looking for some cheap solution to compliment my GH4 mostly on the stills side (not at all pro-use, just casual-amateur).
My local used & affordable options are (from more expensive to cheaper):

Get the Lumix 14-140 v1 lens to use for stills and have stabilized video with the GH4 when required.
Get the Lumix GM1 & 12-32 lens to use as a pocketable stills camera and action/b-camera for the GH4.
Get the Pentax K-01 & 18-55 + 50-200 lenses to use as the main body for stills and entry-door to Pentax world.

It certainly makes more sense to stay in the m43 world and not to spend money in a 3 y.o. camera, but this old brick has some charm and the ASP-C sensor size is appealing for stills. Unfortunately NX-500, a5100 and/or a6000 local options are too expensive.
Is "the brick" still worth consideration?

Vitaliy_Kiselev

New firmware at http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k-01_s.html

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Via: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/138-pentax-k-01/178409-add-your-best-k-01-photos-here-146.html

Vitaliy_Kiselev

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-01/178409-add-your-best-k-01-photos-here.html

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Firmware update

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k-01_s.html

JayB38

Well, Amazon is still selling it steady, right down to the body. I too am contemplating on either the GH1 or the K-01 for my early B-Day purchase...

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Why are they still releasing new models?

They said that people in Japan asked :-) I think they are selling in Japan still.

I still think it was best cam of 2012 :-)

ahbleza

@VK I thought the K-01 was discontinued. Why are they still releasing new models?

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Pentax released new version in new color :-) Good companion to yellow one.

http://www.pentax.jp/japan/products/k-01_white-blue/

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Is there any way to attach a monitor to the K-01 so I can have a bigger screen for framing when shooting video? I heard HDMI out doesn't work when recording video, but was hoping the A/V ports would work with a monitor when recording video. Also, does the LCD screen flip out and rotate or is it stuck flat onto the back of the camera?

Just check first page. HDMi does not work, and screen is fixed.

I saw you mention you had something with encrypt/decrypt in PTools for K-01. Is that something that would let us use it with increased bitrate or with special settings similar to the ones @Driftwood makes?

It does not decrypt small first part (as it is too small, so my encryption key findind do not work). Plus it does not recalc any checksums.
And requires someone to spend big amount of time on reversing and such.

matt_gh2

Is there any way to attach a monitor to the K-01 so I can have a bigger screen for framing when shooting video? I heard HDMI out doesn't work when recording video, but was hoping the A/V ports would work with a monitor when recording video.

Also, does the LCD screen flip out and rotate or is it stuck flat onto the back of the camera?

@Vitaliy_Kiselev I saw you mention you had something with encrypt/decrypt in PTools for K-01. Is that something that would let us use it with increased bitrate or with special settings similar to the ones @Driftwood makes?

Thanks

kabel

Hi,

I have a k-01, too... in yellow. ;) My problems are...

in 720/50fps the picture is really bad, so bad I could not use it... in 720/25 and 1080 everything is fine.
with old pentax lenses the is no manual way of controlling shutterspeed

Do you think this problems could be fixed? Perhaps do you plan to hack that nice little brick? :)

Another thing, perhaps you (or someone else) have an idea... with my Porst 55mm f1,2 my k-01 stops recording video randomly and I don't know why... how can that be only with that lens?

Thanks a lot for your hard work for the wordwide video community!!!

virgilr

Just wanted to say that I've been shooting stills with a Pentax K-100D Super since 2007, and I adore Pentax glass. I have a great collection of manual glass that is such a bargain that I've been gathering since 2007, and the results are just stunning- as well as some Tamron adaptall-2 glass that I love as well.

Opening up the Pentax firmware to video improvements would be so interesting- from what I can tell even Ricoh isn't all that concerned with the video side of Pentax products. I know it wouldn't make anywhere near the splash that the GH2 hacks did, but man, Pentax glass on APS-C (in terms of focal length) would rock! I know Canon cameras can work with an adapter and m42- what about K-mount? I think so. I would just love to stick with the Pentax badge on the camera.

I've used some of my lenses on a GH2- a K series 30mm, M series 35mm and M series 50mm and love the results- just be nice to shoot with the 1.5x crop factor (not 2.0) on an APS-C sensor.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@JayB38

Yes, any m42 lens.

JayB38

Can the P K-01 use lenses such as the Helios M42? I take it that it won't deal with Canon EF lenses even with an adapter. Again, just asking.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

I added encryption/decryption of K-01 (as well as K5-II, and K-30) to my tool

http://www.personal-view.com/faqs/pentax-tool

ant1mony

New here, just bumping this thread along. Would love to see K-01 firmware opened up... EDIT: since we saved so much money on our discounted discontinued k-01s, maybe we could start a fund to...encourage...the r33t hax0rs to crack this nut

sethdp

Just got the yellow brick :) wanted to know what color profiles people are using and the adjustments to them? Do I need to go negative on saturation, hue, high/low key adj, contrast, sharpness? If so what have you guys have success with. Also do I leave off the shadow and highlight corrections Thanks seth

ahbleza

And a nice review for anyone still on the fence. This is such a steal.

http://www.adorama.com/alc/0013711/article/Pentax-K-01-Product-Review

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Last remains of proper color K-01 for $249

http://www.adorama.com/IPXK01Y.html

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

Tags in Topic

Top Posters