When they unveiled the Pentax K-1 in 2016, Ricoh introduced its long-awaited first full-frame DSLR; it boasted a set of features not found on any other 35mm-sensor DSLR. Today, Ricoh announced its successor, the Pentax K-1 II, which adds on even more features. The most notable is Pixel Shift Resolution, which captures lower noise at higher ISOs, and reduces camera shake. Highly customizable and with a top ISO of 819,200, the camera is compatible with all Pentax K-mount lenses going back to the film era.
Key features:
- 36.4MP resolution full-frame sensor
- ISO range 100-819,200
- Sensor-shift and dynamic pixel shift shake reduction
- In-Camera RAW image editing
- Pentaprism finder
- 3.2-inch 1037k dot resolution tilt-out LCD monitor
- 33 point AF with 25 cross-type focus points
- 4.4fps burst rate; Intervalometer
- GPS, Electronic Compass, WiFi
Serious Upgrades
The Pentax K-1 II looks virtually identical to its predecessor. However, there are several key changes under the hood. The top ISO has been boosted from 204,800 to 819,200, making it one of the most low-light-sensitive cameras available. Ricoh has also upgraded the 14-bit image processing engine and claims improvements in noise reduction and better fine-detail capture, as well as a wider color gamut at high ISO settings.
But the big news is that this is Pentax’s first full-frame DSLR to employ Pixel Shift Resolution, a feature that first appeared in the APS-sensor-based Pentax K3II, K-70, and KP. An upgraded version has been introduced for the K1 Mark II. It’s different from Bayer pixel array system, which only captures single unit of color data in each pixel. Pixel Shift Resolution captures four images of the same scene by shifting the image sensor by a single pixel, using the SRII mechanism. With this, each pixel captures all colors, resulting in super-high-resolution images, true to life colors with much finer details. Ricoh says this significantly lowers the level of high-sensitivity noise.
The camera also uses the same technology to reduce camera shake. Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution. By detecting the camera shake in three dimensions, the continuously captured four images are analyzed based on the detected camera shake information and produce one super high-resolution image.
During the Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution, as the image is not captured using sensor movement like traditional Pixel Shift Resolution, the SR II system can be used to correct for camera shake. By coupling both features, Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution, Ricoh claims you can shoot in low light situations even without tripod. If you have the feature on when you are using tripod, the Pixel Shift Resolution II images will produce higher resolution images.
Viewfinder and Monitor
The Pentax K-1 II uses a pentaprism finder with 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification, with a fixed matte focusing screen and digital overlays that include an electronic level, crop and AF point indicators. The monitor is a 3.2-inch LCD with 1037k dot resolution and a night vision option.
Pentax System Compatibility
The Pentax K-1 II has the K-AF2 bayonet mount, which is compatible with all K-mount lenses dating back to the film era. So for Pentax photographers with an inventory of older lenses, the camera is a great progression. The camera will also shoot in a crop mode so you can use APS-sensor-compatible lenses on it as well. Finally, the camera is compatible with Pentax’s lineup of TTL flashes.
Pricing and Availability; Pre-Order Bonus
The Pentax K-1 Mark II will be available from Adorama for body only, or in a kit with a 28-105mm lens for. Each purchase comes with a free DBG-6 battery grip during a pre-order special.
