Pentax K-01 16MP APS-C CMOS Compact System Camera Kit with DA 40mm Lens (Black)

by Pentax

• 16 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with low noise image capture at ISO range 100-25600
• Gorgeous contemporary styling by world renowned designer Marc Newson
• Mirrorless body design with Pentax K mount lens compatibility that allows any Pentax K mount lens to work.
• Full HD 1080p video capture @ 30FPS with h.264 compression ( 60FPS at 720p)
• Fast 6 FPS burst mode ideal for fast action photography

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.8 x 4.8 x 3.2 inches ; 1.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00740MR78
• Item model number: K-01 Lens Kit w DA 40mm XS Black
• Batteries 1 Lithium ion batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,422 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #88 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Digital Cameras > Compact System Cameras
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 2, 2012

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Pentax K-01 Digital Camera

• Pentax mirrorless body design is compatible with 25+ million Pentax K-mount lenses spanning decades.
• Large 16 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS image sensor with low noise image capture and multiple aspect ratios.
• Bright, high resolution 3 inch LCD with 920,000 dots.
• Full HD 1080p video capture at 30 FPS with h.264 compression (60 FPS at 720p) features outstanding video capture flexibility.
• Fast 6 FPS burst mode is ideal for fast-action photography.
• Shutter speeds from 1/4000 to 30 seconds and bulb with a silent shutter action.
• Flexible ISO range of 100-25600 ensures gorgeous noise-free imaging in any lighting condition.
• Focus peaking mode provides fast and accurate manual focusing for critical focus applications.
• In-camera HDR mode combines bracketed user-specified exposures into a single, perfectly blended still image.

The new Pentax K-01 is another bold effort from the manufacturer that is known for pushing camera size, color, durability, and now, design, to the limit. The contemporary, timeless K-01 houses a full array of advanced functions and user-friendly features in a camera body with remarkable form and function.

Marc Newson commissioned design
Pentax commissioned designer Marc Newson to develop the contemporary, timeless design of the Pentax K-01's body. Newson's retro-meets-contemporary design is evident in all elements of the
K-01 including the product logo, camera strap (included) and start-up screen that appears when the K-01 is powered on. Buttons, shutter release and control levers are purposefully placed and accented with colors for instant recognition including a vibrant red button for Video Recording and a brilliant green for the Pentax Green button. The mode dial and power switch are made of high-quality aluminum alloy, while the memory card slot and grip connectors are covered with protective rubber. The design optimizes both form and function on a camera that is as suitable on a photo shoot as it is in a museum display that honors design as art.

Exceptional image quality
The Pentax K-01 is equipped with a newly developed CMOS image sensor measuring 23.7 millimeters by 15.7 millimeters. With approximately 16.28 effective megapixels, this sensor assures high-speed readout of image data signals. The K-01 also features a new ¡§PRIME M¡¨ imaging engine to assure first-rate movie recording performance in a digital interchangeable lens camera. The K-01 offers an extra-wide sensitivity range ¡X from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, or to ISO 25600 when expanded using a custom function ¡X while minimizing digital noise at all sensitivity levels.

Compatibility with every Pentax K-mount lense ever made
The Pentax K-01 accepts a wide array of Pentax interchangeable K-mount lenses^* so users may choose the most suitable lens for a particular subject or scene.
_{*K-, KA- KAF, KAF2, and KAF3- mount lenses can be used with the Pentax K-01, while screw-mount lenses, 645-system lenses and 67-system lenses can be used with an adapter. Some functions may not be available on certain lenses.}

High-quality video recording
The Pentax K-01 features Full HD video-recording function to capture high-quality movie clips in 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). H.264 compression format offers a choice of frame rate (30, 25 or 24 frames per second) to accommodate user-specific applications. Two new features facilitate video recording:

• a video recording button for instant pushbutton start
• and a stereo microphone with audio gain control and wind noise suppression for more realistic sound

Video record options are flexible, offering the photographer to select aperture or shutter exposure control, and Pentax Shake Reduction helps stabilize captured video. Users may add personal touches to recorded clips using various Custom Image modes or record subjects in a series of video clips with the Interval Movie Shooting mode. The Pentax K-01 also comes with an HDMI terminal (which allows the user to simultaneously output both Full HD movie clips and stereo sound) as well as an external microphone input terminal.

New-generation High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode
The High Dynamic Range mode (which produces one extra-wide-gamut blended photo from three images taken at different exposure levels) is accessible with a turn of the mode dial and allows users to select one of three exposure increments as well as the level of effect, while an automatic position adjustment function assures precise alignment of three images even when they are taken with a handheld K-01.

Custom Image Modes and Digital Filters for personalized expression
The Pentax K-01's Custom Image modes allow users to select the most appropriate finishing touch for a particular subject or scene to express the photographer's creative intention or taste. Two of the 11 Custom Images functions are Bleach Bypass to create a dramatic visual effect used in motion pictures and Cross Process to produce a fanciful image with unusual colors. The K-01 also features 19 distinctive digital filters including Miniature to convert an actual scene into an image full of miniature models for an unusual visual effect. Users may be more creative by applying multiple digital filters to a single image.

Smooth, quiet, high-speed burst shooting
The Pentax K-01's high-speed burst shooting mode comes in handy when preserving the action of fast-moving subjects in a series of images, since it captures up to five images per second. With its mirrorless construction, the K-01 offers exceptionally silent mechanical operation that allows users to concentrate on photography even when shooting such subjects as stage performances.

Large, wide-angle 3.0 inch LCD monitor with approx. 921,000 dots
The Pentax K-01 features a large, easy-to-view, high-resolution 3.0 inch color LCD monitor with approximately 921,000 dots. The wide-view design assures a clear view of the monitor from approximately 170 degrees horizontally and vertically, which is useful in low- and high-angle shooting.

Pentax-original Shake Reduction (SR) mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
The Pentax K-01 incorporates the Pentax-developed SR mechanism, which effectively reduces annoying camera shake by approximately four shutter steps. Usable with all compatible lenses, including those produced for film-format SLR cameras, this mechanism produces sharp, blur-free images even under demanding conditions that are prone to camera shake, such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark without flash illumination, or capturing landscapes in the twilight. Equipped with the Pentax O-GPS1 device (an optional GPS unit launched in June 2011), the K-01's SR system helps astrophotographers track and shoot celestial bodies.

Effortless, user-friendly Auto Picture and Scene modes
The Pentax K-01 features the Pentax-original, user-friendly Auto Picture mode, which selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene from Portrait, Landscape, Macro and other distinctive shooting modes, while optimizing all camera settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness. This allows a new photographer to concentrate on image composition and shutter opportunity. The K-01 also offers 19 different Scene modes to help simplify the photography of challenging subjects or scenes such as Night Scene Portrait mode, Pet mode, and Backlight Silhouette mode. Users simply choose a corresponding icon on the camera's LCD monitor.

Additional features

• TTL image-sensor metering, with a choice of multi-segment, center-weighted and spot modes
• Contrast-detection autofocus system with 81 selectable focus points
• DR (Dust Removal) mechanism to shake off dust adhering to the surface of the CMOS image sensor
• CTE white-balance control mode to emphasize the predominant color of a particular scene, such as the sunset
• A choice of four image size ratios (4:3, 3:2, 16:9 and 1:1) to accommodate different subjects and applications
• Multi-exposure mode (up to nine exposures on a single image), with an auto exposure compensation function
• Interval shooting mode, useful in time lapse recording of landscapes and flowers/plants from an exact same location and angle
• Compatibility with the new-standard SDXC and UHS Speed Class 1 memory cards
• SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0 for Pentax RAW image data development (developed by Ichikawa Soft Laboratory) included; in-camera RAW image development also available

Pentax 40mm F/2.8 Interchangeable Lens

• Ultra low profile is only 0.36 inches thin at 1.8 oz.
• Fixed focal length 40mm prime lens is equivalent to 61mm in the 35mm format.
• Short 16 inch minimum focus distance.
• Maximum F2.8 aperture is ideal for existing light photography and creative depth of field applications.
• Nine rounded aperture blades produce extraordinarily smooth, natural bokeh.
• Pentax SP (Super Protect) coating on lens surface helps repel elements and aids in cleaning.
• Pentax K_AF mount is compatible with current and past K-mount compatible cameras.

The new smc Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 XS interchangeable lens is the world's thinnest interchangeable lens.^* The new 40mm combines with the Pentax K-01 camera body to deliver a unique compact system camera that is perfect for photographers who are as keen on design as they are on performance. Together, the K-01 and this 40mm lens system mark the intersection where high technology and high design meet.

_{* The world's thinnest interchangeable lens for lens-interchangeable digital SLR cameras, as of February 1, 2012 (based on Pentax's research).}

Marc Newson commissioned design
The exterior of this ultra-slim new lens was designed by Marc Newson to complement the clean, contemporary design of the K-01 body.

Easy-to-use, super-thin lens
This unifocal standard lens offers a focal length equivalent to 61mm in the 35mm format and measures a mere 9.2 millimeters thin (only 0.36 inches) making it the world’s thinnest interchangeable lens. The ultra-thin design is highly portable and easy to store and carry. Designed with the acclaimed smc Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited lens in mind, the maximum aperture of the new lens is F2.8 to produce sharp, bright images in a wide range of applications, including snapshots, scenic photos, portraits, and even incident-light indoor shooting.

Exceptional image-description
Pentax conducted numerous image-quality tests of hundreds of images taken with this lens. Upon assessment, the lens offers outstanding optical clarity and subject reproduction characteristics. Rounded diaphragm blades produce a smooth, natural bokeh (out-of-focus) background effect.

SP coating to block dirt and dust
The front surface of this lens is treated with SP (Super Protect) coating, an exclusive fluorine compound applied to the surface through a vapor deposition process. This SP coating not only repels dust, water and grease, but also makes it easy to wipe off stubborn stains such as fingerprints and cosmetics.

Specifications

LENS MOUNT:	Pentax KAF
FOCAL LENGTH:	40mm (equiv 61mm)
APERTURE:	F2.8
MIN APERTURE:	F22
LENS CONSTRUCTION:	5 elements in 4 groups
ANGLE OF VIEW:	39°
MIN FOCUSING DISTANCE:	1.31' (0.4m)
MAX MAGNIFICATION:	0.13X
FILTER DIAMETER:	27mm
DIAPHRAGM CONTROL:	Fully Automatic
NUMBER OF APERTURE BLADES:	9
MAX DIAMETER x MIN LENGTH:	2.5 x 0.36" (62.9 x 9.2mm)
WEIGHT (W/O HOOD):	1.8 oz
NOTES: External appearance by renowned designer Marc Newson. SP (Super Protect) coating. "World's thinnest interchangeable lens" at time of introduction.

Product Description

Pentax mirrorless camera featuring the contemporary styling by world renowned designer Marc Newson. Large 16 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor with low noise image capture with ISO range of 100-25600. Machined aluminum frame under a stylish black, white or yellow exterior. Supports all Pentax K-mount lens and is compatible with 25+ million Pentax K mount lenses. Full HD 1080p video capture @ 30 FPS with h.264 compression (60FPS at 720p). Sensor shift shake and dust reduction compatible with every Pentax K mount lens. Fast 6 FPS burst mode with shutter speeds from1/4000 to 30 seconds and bulb with a silent shutter action. Shooting modes include P, Av, TV and M as well as powerful automatic modes, creative filters and finishing options. In camera HDR mode combines bracketed user-specified exposures into a single, perfectly blended still image. Built in pop up flash and external hotshoe compatible with modern Pentax flash units. Captures JPG still images as well as open standard DNG RAW.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for everyone, but definitely for me March 22, 2012

By Dorothy Gray

Without getting into too much boring detail, I have damaged eyesight, and I have a tough time using DSLRs because of their reliance on tiny flashing numbers in the viewfinder, along with the annoyance of having to dig through various menu screens to get anything done. As a result, I am primarily a film shooter. I like my cameras straightforward. I like to think about getting the shot, not worry about the camera.

Enter this little gem. It has Pentax's intuitive menu system, simple and easy exterior button design which calls to mind an old film camera, and a nice big LCD screen. It is mirrorless, so there's no noisy thing causing camera shake, but it has the same size sensor as most DSLRs on the market, and it takes Pentax's K mount lens line and older M42 glass via adapter. If you want you can get it with a nice 40mm ultra-thin pancake kit lens, which is of excellent quality; or you can get the standard kit with a couple of zooms, or a body only if you already have a set of Pentax glass.

It has a nifty feature called "focus peaking" to aid with focusing when using those wonderful older lenses.

Its video capabilities are very nice. I am not a videographer so I cannot go into a lot of detail on that.

Certain review sites have complained about its ergonomics; but I tend to think these reviewers have never held film cameras and I wonder how they think a camera is supposed to be held.

For me, the biggest drawbacks have been: 1) the rubber flap covering where the SD card slot goes: it's not intuitive, learning how to properly close it. It should not be closed like a door. If you do try to close it like that, it will keep coming open, or your finger will get caught on it, or some other such annoyance.... The proper way to close it is to slide it back into place, then press down on it. 2) The LCD screen can be difficult to see in certain types of glare or very bright sunlight. I'm looking for the right kind of removable shade for these situations.

But overall, I am extremely satisfied with this camera. I think it's going to last me a good long time and I'll be getting more Pentax/M42 lenses for it. Read more ›

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Deflationary Pressure November 2, 2012

By Amicus Curia

I already purchased one of these (body only) to add to my K5 and K30. Naturally, I have an assortment of excellent KA-mount lenses, both manual and AF, legacy and modern. Some are Pentax, some are Tamron, some Rokinon, and even an excellent Bell & Howell branded 8mm fisheye. So in a world of crippling lens costs, I got a great deal. All of these bodies have built in stabilization. Remaining in a world of the K-mount series of lenses is a tremendous asset and money saver.

These bodies are excellent. The metal framed K-01 is no exception. Though not weather sealed and without a VF, its other features more than compensate for those deficiencies. The K-01 I purchased @ 590 smackers was, I thought, a fantastic bargain for a unit with the same excellent sensor as the K5, K5-ii, Sony and Nikon bodies utilizing an APS-C format, given the superlative reviews for said sensor. The K30 & K-01 also have an improved processor that beats out the one in the K5 & K5-ii. But now (w/a little shopping) @ 346 smackers--well...they're essentially GIVING the body away. Why? I'm not certain. Perhaps the initial negative reviews of the design by some hasty naysayers tarnished the market for this gem. But at the current deflated price, even though I don't have an immediately NEED for it, I can't resist what amounts to a steal. I'm ordering another one! (Before they're gone)

This body doesn't overheat in video mode. It's big enough to grip. Its size likely provides for the better heat dissipation. It has focus peaking. The LCD is excellent. Along with the K5 and K30, it takes great pictures. It's packed with features and fun. It's now cheaper than many P&S cameras having smaller sensors and poorer performance. They don't have a VF either.... It's a great backup unit for when your pricier K5 series is in the shop or otherwise indisposed. While not pocket sized, it's lighter and easier to carry around your neck. Did I mention it doesn't overheat in video mode? That means you can repeatedly take 25 minute clips without it prematurely shutting down. (Provided you have sufficient memory left and aren't using a resolution that will eat up the available file size before the 25 minute mark) Why all of the above models in the U.S. don't include a feature allowing successive image/video file creation without shutting down at all escapes me. Not incidentally, the K-01 uses the SAME battery as the K5, and K5-ii, though not the K30. They ALL accept the same SDHC/SDXC memory cards...more $avings. Sony's A99 body accepts 2 such cards and will record to both simultaneously, but it's $2800. Hopefully more camera makers will follow suit for the flexibility this arrangement offers. Right now, you can get an ultra-fast (~45Mb/sec) SanDisk SDHC card for around $35. Swapping is quick enough to make it a minor inconvenience compared to the Sony offering.

If you're a video producer, having an extra (at such a bargain price) also allows you and an assistant to cover an event from multiple camera angles and/or w/varied lenses. The flash mechanics is refined and allows a Rode stereo mike to be mounted in the shoe simultaneously. They're not mutually exclusive. Being without a mirror, there's no slap. (unlike the K30, which is obnoxiously loud) The RED button allows for instant video clip recording--a nice convenience. The body and controls are solidly built. At its current price, this body practically becomes a lens accessory. Yeah, it's not a medium format or even full frame camera. So what? Except for specialized applications, the APS-C format shines in all other respects. The kit bag is lighter. The product is excellent. The bodies listed are versatile. I'm thinking with a proper wireless remote control trigger, you could have a studio on the cheap with simultaneous multiple camera angles. Get some lighting stands and quartz lamps at Home Depot for extra savings. They even have full spectrum bulbs on the cheap along with assorted color heat ranges.

It's astounding to consider how much power this body (and its cousins) puts into the hands of the great unwashed at such a low price. Excellent photography and video composition is no longer only for the wealthy. It's now possible to document and tell those stories of your dreams. Don't be fooled by the hype and 'glamour' of the more advertised brands...this is a quality tool in the hands of a serious photographer. Even if it looked like a hamburger (actually, its looks tend to grow on you) its functionality would scream, "Buy me!"

I read the hype of the other brands along with everyone else. I'm not immune to the 'center folds' they advertise. But in the end, I can't ignore common sense. This body just makes too much sense to pass up at this price. And, for the money, it'd make a great gift if there's someone in your life interested in photography.

ps: Not only are they 'giving' this thing away, they're shipping it for free! Color me amazed. Read more ›

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Pentax K-01 March 30, 2012

By E Deets

UPDATE: Folks, get the firmware update recently released. It fixed a rather nasty autofocus issue I was having with the onboard 40mm lens. Otherwise love the ability to reel off six frames a second and have figured out the onboard flash thanks to the reply below!
----
I'm still on the learning curve on this camera but took the dive because I had a bunch of legacy Pentax lenses gathering dust. My first mission was taking pictures of my daughter's play under theater lighting. Even with an old non-auto 70-210mm lens I was soon taking great looking shots.

I agree with some reviewers that the flash pictures are a problem. I haven't shot a great shot with the onboard flash yet and tend to keep it off. Hopefully this will be addressed.

I do occasionally miss the viewfinder but the screen is fantastic. Focusing easier than expected. The 40mm lens that comes with the kit is awesome and you should buy it as a package with this camera.

So far so good!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An underrated camera with stellar performance! February 20, 2013

By Jerry Jackson Jr.

Amazon Verified Purchase

The bargain prices for the K-01 were just too good for me to pass up even though I initially thought the K-01 looked hideous and it was known to have slower AF than my Olympus E-M5.

The reason that I couldn't resist is that I still have fond memories of using the Pentax Limited primes and some of my photos from back then just have a character that I haven't been able to replicate from my Olympus, Nikon, Fuji, Sony and Canon gear in the years since. I've captured some great images with the other gear, but the old Pentax shots just pull at my heart strings more.

Anyway, after the K-01 arrived I was pleasantly surprised. I updated the firmware (version 1.02 on the Pentax website) and messed around with the 40mm ... a nice combination. The autofocus speed is greatly improved with the latest firmware. I also found that the box-like ergonomics make PERFECT sense if you hold the camera like an old medium format film camera with a waist-level viewfinder and vertical shutter release. In other words, cradle the K-01 in your hands so that you can press the shutter button on the K-01 with your thumb and not your index finger. Suddenly the green and red buttons are easier to press and the bottom right rear corner of the camera doesn't cut into your hand.

The image details that come out of this camera with the 40mm lens WIDE OPEN at f/2.8 are nothing less than extraordinary. Stop down the lens and the details get even sharper! One of my friends who shoots medium format film thought several of the images I took with the K-01 must have come from a medium format camera with a high-res digital back ... there is just an insane amount of detail in these shots.... Keep in mind we're talking about a ridiculously cheap APS-C "cropped" sensor and not a massive medium format image sensor here.

The K-01 is a true testimony to the extreme image quality that comes from Pentax gear. The design of the camera body is so unique that most photographers don't take it seriously ... and that's a big mistake. This is a true classic and a wolf in ugly sheep's clothing. Read more ›