[wpramazon asin=”B00740MR78″]
[wprebay kw=”aps+c” num=”6″ ebcat=”293″] [wprebay kw=”aps+c” num=”7″ ebcat=”293″]
Related APS-C Products
Simon Yates Photography
Bringing you the best of photography, cameras, lenses and accessories
[wpramazon asin=”B00740MR78″]
[wprebay kw=”aps+c” num=”6″ ebcat=”293″] [wprebay kw=”aps+c” num=”7″ ebcat=”293″]
Related APS-C Products
| Cookie | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
| viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
Deflation in Action,
Despite all the carping, the body felt VERY comfortable in my big hands. The lens lock design for this body actually is sleeker and more ergonomic than the K5’s. I’d purchased a Rokinon 85mm f1.4 prime a couple of years back, then buried it in my kit bag and pretty much forgot about it. When the K-01 arrived, I dug it out and slapped it on. WoW! A lens/body marriage made in Heaven. It felt perfect, the body and lens easily balanced with one another. The clarity and brightness in low light were a pleasant surprise. Unlike the K5, this body has Focus Peaking. It’s not only a welcome backup for my K5, but has unique advantages in its own right.
The rubber cover for the SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot is a bit more meddlesome than the hard door/cover on the K5, but it does NOT ‘flop’ once you take the time to slide/secure it back in place. This body has an external stereo mike input, and UNLIKE the K5, it has audio level control. It also has a built in stereo mic and I think the K5’s built in is mono, though its jack is stereo.
This unit may not be a spy’s dream camera, but it should be any serious photographer’s ‘go to’ camera for all around versatility and excellence at an unbelievable affordable price (currently). When I count up the advantage of being able to utilize my Pentax legacy/modern lenses, this thing just screams, “Buy me!”
Make no mistake, this is no toy. The dials and buttons feel solid, not cheap. I would have liked a longer neck strap in the retail package.
The ‘play’ button (when not reviewing your footage/shots) is a welcome asset in returning the focus area to the center of the frame when pushed. The K5 always takes me longer to return the focus area to the center of the frame, and when lots is happening, the time it takes can be annoying. There’s lots to like about this body’s design that some nitpickers and Polly Anna types have failed to recognize when they vacuously pronounce this design a marketing ‘failure’. There may be no accounting for ‘taste’, but this body feels right in so many respects, it’s a raving success here.
I almost forgot something other reviewers ignored, the popup flash mechanism feels very secure and well engineered–almost like a fine Swiss watch. I’d have liked weather proofing in this unit, but there’s nothing ‘cheap’ about the feel. As for the rubber sides instead of solid cover, perhaps that provides a little extra protection against unexpected minor bumps. Don’t be afraid of trying this camera, especially with something more than the kit pancake lens. Kudos to the designer and manufacturers of this quality tool.
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS: Another bonus feature the K-01 offers which the big name brand reviewers have all apparently missed is, not only does this body’s pop up flash FEEL refined and well engineered with PLENTY of critical thinking invested in the design–It IS! e.g. The K5’s pop up flash was not available when the Rode Video Microphone (stereo) is mounted in the hot shoe. But the more thoughtfully designed K-01 allows a mic such as the Rode SVM to be mounted in the hot shoe AND allows the built in flash to operate simultaneously without having to remove the mic to allow for the built in flash. Given the instantaneous ability to switch (via the ‘red’ button) from single shots to video, this is a feature I doubt any other APS-C hybrid still/video camera of this quality on the market offers. Frankly, this camera’s design is beginning to look like it’s over some of its critics’ heads.
BTW, the larger body some critics disparage compared to the petite mirrorless competitors likely doesn’t overheat its chip & electronic circuitry as rapidly as its smaller P&S cousins. Another nice feature that’s not mentioned in the reviews obsessing on the K-01’s size/lines is it has not just interval timing for stills, but for video as well! That means you could set it up to catch a series of rush hour foot traffic, or any other anticipated regular event. This duckling is turning into a pretty elegant swan.
When the price on this dropped to 346 smackers on Amazon (free shipping! No tax), I couldn’t resist buying a 2nd. At that price it’s cheaper than many less endowed P&S cameras. At that price, they’re GIVING this excellent photography tool away as though it were a lens accessory!
0
Was this review helpful to you?
|Great companion to your dSLR, or as a standalone camera,
In social situations, the camera puts people at ease, and being able to shoot from the hip (literally) makes it easier to engage your subjects and still get excellent photos.
I haven’t shot much video with it, but having one-button access to the function is very handy.
Using manual lenses on this camera is a breeze, much easier than the dSLRs for me. With focus peaking and live view zoom, it’s very easy to nail focus.
If you’re looking for a serious snapshot camera, this is a great choice, even if you don’t own any Pentax lenses. Teh 40mm kit lesn is outstanding, probably equal to the DA40 Limited prime (I have both and have compared them). My only concern with the 40mm kit lens is the lack of a lens hood, thought it never caused me a problem in the time I owned the lens (I sold it since I have the DA40 Ltd).
For people worried about the lack of an optical or electronic viewfinder, I’ve shot the K-01 several times in bright Texas sunlight, and the LCD works well enough for me to compose and focus. Honestly, the lack of a OVF or EVF is a non-issue for me.
All in all, I think this camera is a winner and well spec’d as a dSLR complement.
0
Was this review helpful to you?
|I am loving it!,
The controls are very well laid out and very easy to read and use. The menus also use a large font and are quite decent.
The 40mm lens is razor sharp.
The whole kit is just well made. It is the first camera that i have had in a long time that just gets out of your way and actually assists you in taking pictures. For example, when taking close up pics of flowers or whatever, you can turn on several features that give you excellent assistance in confirming your focus. Speaking of which, the AF is easily better than the Fuji X100 and on par with the Oly E-PL1.
Another thing i really like is that the camera is completely trustworthy in full auto mode, you set it to scene and just concentrate on taking pictures and they come out amazingly well (this is unlike my V1 which can take great pics but really makes you work to get them).
That’s my last remark, the image quality is truly exceptional! It is the best image quality i have had (better than X100). Don’t believe me just go onto Flickr and do a search on K-01 and see for yourselves. I have quite useable pictures taken at ISO 12800 and ISO 25600 (realistically when viewed on the web and not blown way up).
I just love this camera and i haven’t been excited by a new camera in a very long time. the K-01 is well designed, well built, easy to use and has amazing image quality.
If you are in the market for a new camera I encourage you to try it (after all you have 30 days to return it if you are not happy). You have nothing to lose and a great photography experience to gain.
0
Was this review helpful to you?
|