Brand:
Pentax K-1 Mark II
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The popular Pentax brand continues to produce high-end professional cameras for today’s photographers. The company continues to focus on its line of DSLR products. Below, I’ll discuss some of the best Pentax camera options available to consumers.
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To suit all my readers' needs, I've curated a shortlist containing the best overall Pentax camera, the best Pentax camera for the money, and the best Pentax camera for low light conditions.
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Brand:
Pentax K-1 Mark II
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Brand:
Pentax KP
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Brand:
Pentax K-70
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Optical Sensor Size:
Full Frame
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Optical Sensor Size:
APS-C
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Optical Sensor Size:
APS-C
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Item Weight:
2.2 pounds
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Item Weight:
1.54 pounds
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Item Weight:
2 pounds
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The Pentax K-1 Mark II possesses all of the high-quality components and advanced features that a professional photographer could want. It represents a significant step up for photographers making the leap from APS-C to full-frame
With an ample 36.4-megapixel, anti-aliasing, filterless, shake-reduction sensor, the Pentax K-1 II offers superior image clarity and ease-of-use. The camera’s easy accessibility receives further support from the Engine Accelerometer, which reduces image noise, improves sharpness, and speeds up auto-focusing.
While the Pentax K-1 Mark II anchors Pentax’s line of DSLR cameras, it possesses a few features that I’d like to see improved in the future. For example, its pixel-shift resolution only allows for 4.4 frames-per-second when continuously shooting, merging four frames into one final image. It also lacks 4K video resolution, which I expect will change in the future.
In terms of construction, the Pentax K-1 II boasts a sturdy, well-built magnesium alloy body with weather-resistance; so, you can rely on the K-1 II to take stunning images in any situation. The comfortable, ergonomic controls allow for quick adjustments to shifting subject matters. And, the resulting images reflect why Pentax remains a top name in the camera industry.
As Pentax’s value proposition to the
The 24.3-megapixel CMOS sensor of the Pentax KP doesn’t measure up to that of the Pentax K-1 II; but, with an ISO 819200 and pixel-shift resolution, the Pentax KP performs well in low light settings. Much like the K-1 II, four frames automatically combine into a single, optimized image during continuous shooting.
As one might expect with a more affordable camera, the Pentax KP lacks a few features that highly demanding photographers require. It doesn’t have the hybrid autofocusing (AF) option that many Pentax cameras offer. And, while the KP battery life should prove sufficient for most users, it lags behind some of the more expensive Pentax offerings.
The Pentax KP made my list due to the sheer number of features packed into a high-quality, economical camera. The included LCD monitor tilts vertically, allowing for easier shots from above or below the subject matter. And, its sturdy, weather-resistant construction means you can take it anywhere.
As the sun begins to set, you can count on the Pentax K-70 to produce dazzling images in the twilight. The vari-angle LCD screen features a red-light, night vision display to enhance view finding in low light conditions. The hybrid autofocus utilizes 11-points, phase detection, and contrast-detection to capture a moment before it passes you by.
The Pentax K-70 also has an in-body image stabilization system, or IBIS, to increase the sharpness of stills and decrease video recordings' shakiness, especially while shooting with a long shutter speed. For all of the above reasons, the K-70 stands out to me as an affordable camera that thrives in low-light situations.
Given its reasonable price, the Pentax K-70 understandably has a few drawbacks. For one, it suffers from the same average battery life as the KP. Users can expect their battery to last for less than 500 shots. The K-70 also weighs about 30% more than the KP, which surprised me, considering its price point. That’s a little heavy for a semi-professional camera.
Ultimately, the Pentax K-70 functions as something of a specialist, rising to the occasion in some of the most challenging, low-light settings. It comes in handy when shooting real estate videos under poor lighting conditions or featuring a sunset in a curb-appeal photo. Overall, it offers quite a lot of advanced features for an affordable camera.
Pentax includes exciting features on every one of its cameras. However, depending on the type of
| Cameras | Resolution (Megapixels) | ISO Level | Image Stabilization System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pentax K-1 Mark II | 36.4 | ISO 25600 | No |
| Pentax KP | 24.3 | ISO 819200 | Yes |
| Pentax K-70 | 24.2 | ISO 100/200 | Yes |
Freeing yourself from the limitations of APS-C will make a vast improvement to your versatility as a photographer. The ability to capture more of your subject matter with any given lens heightens the joy of
Hold it steady with an in-body image stabilization system. Even if you find yourself in a low-light scenario and you don’t have a tripod available, the Pentax IBIS will help you get a crisp, clean image.
Otherwise, if you find that many of your photos seem blurry, perhaps IBIS can help steady the image and improve your results.
Hybrid autofocus does take out some of the work that goes into producing that perfect photo. But it sure does speed things up. If you consider yourself a novice or intermediate photographer, hybrid AF can improve your photos' quality in a snap.
You'll discover that modern, hybrid autofocus represents a significant step-up from the earliest AF iterations.
Nowadays, most people assume all gadgets come with weather resistance. But that’s not true, especially with cameras. Some high-end cameras forego the extra weight associated with weather-proofing because companies assume the expert-level photographers who buy them know how to take care of their rig.
If you just started taking photos, make sure the camera you buy has weather resistance to avoid the disappointment of damaging your expensive new toy.
One of the key features to look at when choosing a Pentax camera for landscape photography is megapixels. A high-resolution camera is capable of taking finely detailed landscape images. Get a camera with a good dynamic range that will help in controlling high-contrast scenes.
Believe it or not, some novice photographers have never heard of Pentax. But, Pentax represents one of the global leaders in cameras, offering everything from entry-level units to expensive, highly sensitive professional DSLRs. Yes, Pentax is an excellent brand that has competed against the industry's biggest names for decades.
It depends. You’ll find a lot of overlap between all four brands. Canon, Nikon, or Sony may have top-end cameras that slightly edge-out Pentax’s best offering. But, if you shop for a mid-range camera, you’ll come across several Pentax cameras that beat the competition for a given purpose or price range.
Purchasing a Pentax camera represents a big decision for most consumers. Even the least expensive camera model still costs a significant sum of money. However, based on my assessments and Pentax’s overall track record, shoppers can expect a high-quality camera that produces crisp, clean images and lasts for years to come.
