Last Updated on 02/21/2018 by Mark Beckenbach
The new Pentax K1 Mk II is looking to improve where it matters the most.
I really liked the Pentax K1, and so when we found out about the new Pentax K1 Mk II I was very intrigued to see how the company would improve the camera. To date, I genuinely believe it and the Nikon D850 to be the best DSLR cameras in the industry–but the Pentax was starting to show its age. When it arrives next month in April, I’m also not sure many Pentaxians will necessarily want to or need to upgrade to it. Let’s take a look at the new Pentax K1 Mk II, right before WPPI.
At the heart of the new Pentax K1 Mk II is the same 36MP sensor as the original camera. This is a bit of a questionable decision. That sensor isn’t bad at all, but other cameras are really able to do quite a bit with more megapickles these days. (Yes, I wrote megapickles.) This sensor can shoot at up to ISO 819,200. It’s also adding in the new Pixel Shift Resolution II mode. Here’s the essential bit from the press release to explain this:
The camera also incorporates Pixel Shift Resolution System II. This new, PENTAX-developed technology uses the same in-camera shake-reduction (SR) mechanism and sensor-shift capabilities as the original Pixel Shift Resolution System found in the PENTAX K-1, which captures four images of the same scene, and then synthesizes them into a single, super-high-resolution composite image. With the Pixel Shift Resolution System II, the camera also obtains RGB color data, resulting in images with significantly finer details and truer colors than those produced by typical full-frame sensors.
A new feature in the Pixel Shift Resolution System II is Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution mode. This mode allows photographers to produce crisp, ultra-high pixel shift resolution images without the need of a tripod, extending the camera’s use to a wider variety of subjects and scenes.
It seems like Pentax’s response to not going to an even higher resolution is the composite feature that they’ve got here. It still has weather sealing and a magnesium alloy body, and it still has that same controversial tilting LCD screen display. And when it comes out on the market, the new Pentax K1 Mk II will retail for $1,999.95.
Very personally speaking, I’m a bit confused about this one. Sure, it’s an upgrade. Sure, it’s looking really good–but I don’t feel like it’s bound to make photographers upgrade in a world where Sony and Fujifilm both exist. Pentax’s lenses are great, but I think a much stronger move for Pentax/Ricoh in this case would have been either a full frame GR series camera or a lower tier, medium format camera below the current Pentax 645 series DSLRs. I say this partially because I loved the Pentax K1, but what I love even more is the Pentax 67 SLR that I have sitting on my shelf in my living room. The feel of that thing and the viewfinder on it is unlike anything else out there. And if Pentax had given us a medium format camera around the price of the Sony a9 or Sony a7r III with that same sensor, I’m very confident no one would be able to keep them in stock.
Granted, I need to get my hands on this new Pentax K1 MK II. But here for your reading pleasure is the world’s longest spec sheet for a camera.
PENTAX K-1 Mark II Specifications
Model Description | |
Type | TTL autofocus, auto-exposure SLR digital-still camera |
Lens Mount | PENTAX KAF2 bayonet mount (AF coupler, lens information contacts, K-mount with power contacts) |
Compatible Lens | KAF4, KAF3, KAF2 (power zoom compatible), KAF, KA mount lens |
Image capture unit | |
Image Sensor | Primary color filter, CMOS. Size: 35.9 x 24.0 (mm) |
Effective Pixels | Approx. 36.40 megapixels |
Total Pixels | Approx. 36.77 megapixels |
Dust Removal | Image sensor cleaning using ultrasonic vibrations “DR II” |
Sensitivity (Standard output) |
ISO AUTO/100 to 819200 (EV steps can be set to 1EV, 1/2EV or 1/3EV) |
Image Stabilizer | Sensor-shift shake reduction (SR II: Shake Reduction)(5-axis) |
AA Filter Simulator | Moiré reduction using SR unit. OFF/Type1/Type2/ Bracketing(2 images)/ Bracketing (3 images) |
File formats | |
File format | RAW (PEF/DNG), JPEG (Exif 2.3), DCF2.0 compliant |
Recorded Pixels | [35mm Full Frame] JPEG: L(36M:7360×4912), M(22M:5760×3840), S(12M:4224×2816), XS(2M:1920×1280) RAW: (36M:7360×4912)[APS-C size] JPEG: L(15M:4800×3200), M(12M:4224×2816), S(8M:3456×2304), XS(2M:1920×1280) RAW: (15M:4800×3200) |
Quality Level | RAW (14bit): PEF, DNG JPEG: ★★★ (Best), ★★ (Better), ★ (Good), RAW + JPEG simultaneous capturing available |
Color Space | sRGB, AdobeRGB |
Storage Medium | SD, SDHC and SDXC Memory Card (Conforms to USH-I standards) |
Dual SD slot | Sequential Use, Save to Both, Separate RAW/JPEG, Image copy between slots possible |
Storage Folder | Folder Name: Date (100_1018,101_1019…) or User assigned folder name (Default “PENTX”) |
Recording File | File Name: “IMGP****” or User assigned file name File name numbering: Sequential, Reset |
Viewfinder | |
Type | Pentaprism Finder |
Coverage (FOV) | Approx. 100% |
Magnification | Approx. 0.70x (50mmF1.4 at infinity) |
Eye-Relief Length | Approx. 20.6mm (from the view window), Approx. 21.7mm (from the center of lens) |
Diopter adjustment | Approx. -3.5m to + 1.2m-1 |
Focusing Screen | Fixed Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen |
Viewfinder Overlay | AF Points, Grid Display, Electronic Level, AF Frame, Spot Metering Frame, Crop |
Live view |
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Type | TTL method using image sensor |
Focusing Mechanism | Contrast detection (Face detection, Tracking, Multiple AF points, Select, Spot) Focus Peaking: ON/OFF |
Display | Field of View approx. 100%, Magnified view (up to 16x), Grid Display (4×4 Grid, Golden Section, Scale display, Square 1, Square 2, Grid Color: Black/White ), Histogram, Bright area warning, Composition Adjustment |
LCD monitor | |
Type | Wide viewing angle TFT color LCD, Air-gapless glass. Flexible-tilt. |
Size | 3.2 inch (aspect ratio 3:2) |
Dots | Approx. 1037K dots |
Adjustment | Brightness, Saturation and Colors adjustable |
Outdoor View Setting | Adjustable ±2 step |
Night Vision LCD Display | ON/OFF |
White Balance | |
Type | Method using a combination of the image sensor and the light source detection sensor |
White Balance | AUTO WB, Multi Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D:Daylight Color, N:Daylight White, W:Cool White, L:Warm White), Tungsten Light, CTE, Manual WB (up to 3 settings), Color Temperature Configuration (up to 3 settings), Copying the white balance setting of a captured image |
Fine Adjustment | Adjustable ±7 steps on A-B axis or G-M axis |
Autofocus System | |
Type | TTL: Phase-matching autofocus |
Focus Sensor | SAFOX 12, 33 point (25 cross type focus points in the center) |
Brightness Range | EV-3 to 18 (ISO 100 / at normal temperature) |
AF mode | Single AF (AF.S), Continuous AF (AF.C) |
AF Point Selection | Spot, Select, Expanded Area (S, M, L), Zone select, Auto (33 AF points) |
AF Assist Light | Dedicated LED AF assist light |
Metering | |
Type | TTL open aperture metering using 86K pixel RGB sensor, Multi-segment, Center-weighted and Spot metering |
Metering Range | EV-3 to 20 (ISO100 at 50mm F1.4) |
Exposure Mode | Scene Analyze Auto, Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter & Aperture Priority, Manual, Bulb, Flash X-sync Speed, USER1, USER2, USER3, USER4, USER5 |
EV Compensation | ±5EV (1/2EV steps or 1/3EV steps can be selected) |
AE Lock | Button type (timer type: two times the meter operating time set in Custom Setting); Continuous as long as the shutter button is halfway pressed |
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Shutter | |
Type | Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter * Electronic shutter when using Pixel Shift Resolution |
Shutter Speed | Auto:1/8000 to 30 sec., Manual:1/8000 to 30 sec. (1/3EV steps or 1/2EV steps), Bulb (Timed exposure setting possible from 10 sec. to 20min.) |
LV Electronic Shutter | ON/OFF |
Drive modes | |
Mode Selection | Still Image: Single Frame, Continuous (H, M, L), Self-timer (12s, 2s, Continuous), Remote Control (0s., 3s., Continuous), Bracketing (2, 3 or 5 frames), Mirror-up (Possible to use with Remote Control), Multi-Exposure (Possible to use with Continuous, Self-timer or Remote Control), Interval Shooting, Interval Composite, Interval Movie Record, Star StreamMovie: Remote Control * Bracketing, Interval Shooting, Interval Composite, Interval Movie Record and Star Stream are possible to use with Self-timer/Remote Control. |
Continuous Shooting | [35mm Full-Frame] Max. approx. 4.4 fps, JPEG ( L: ★★★ at Continuous H): up to approx. 70 frames, RAW: up to approx. 17 frames Max. approx. 3.0 fps, JPEG L: ★★★ at Continuous M): up to approx. 100 frames, RAW: up to approx. 20 frames Max. approx. 0.7 fps, JPEG ( L: ★★★ at Continuous L): up to approx. 100 frames, RAW: up to approx. 100 frames [APS-C size] Max. approx. 6.4 fps, JPEG ( L: ★★★ at Continuous H): up to approx. 100 frames, RAW: up to approx. 50 frames Max. approx. 3.0 fps, JPEG L: ★★★ at Continuous M): up to approx. 100 frames, RAW: up to approx. 70 frames Max. approx. 1.0 fps, JPEG ( L: ★★★ at Continuous L): up to approx. 100 frames, RAW: up to approx. 100 frames*ISO100 |
Multi-Exposure | Composite Mode(Additive/Average/Bright) Number of Shots(2 to 2000 images) |
Interval Shooting | [Interval Shooting] Interval: 2s. to 24h./ Standby Interval: Min.・1s. to 24h., Number of shots: 2 to 2000 images, Start Interval: Now/Self-timer/Remote Control/Set Time
[Interval Composite] Interval: 2s. to 24h./ Standby Interval: Min.・1s. to 24h., Number of shots: 2 to 2000 images, Start Interval: Now/Self-timer/Remote Control/Set Time, Composite Mode: Additive/Average/Bright, Save Process: On/Off [Interval Movie] Recorded Pixels: 4K/FullHD/HD, File Format: Motion JPEG (AVI), Interval:2s. to 24h./ Standby Interval: Min・1s. to 24h., Number of shots: 8 to 2000 images (8 to 500 images at 4K), Start Interval:Now/Self-timer/Remote Control/Set Time [Star Stream] Recorded Pixels: 4K/FullHD/HD, File Format: Motion JPEG (AVI), Interval: Min・1s. to 24h., Number of shots: 8 to 2000 images (8 to 500 images at 4K), Start Interval: Now/Self-timer/Remote Control/Set Time, Fade-out: Off/Low/Medium/High |
External Flash |
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Flash Modes | Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync * Contrast-control-sync and High-speed sync requires 2 or more dedicated external flash |
Sync Speed | 1/200sec. |
Flash Exposure Compensation | -2.0~+1.0EV |
Capture Settings | |
Custom Image | Auto Select, Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Flat, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing |
Cross Process | Random, Preset 1-3, Favorite 1-3 |
Digital Filter | Extract Color, Replace Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Bold Monochrome |
Clarity | Adjustable ±4 |
Skin Tone | Type1/Type2 |
HDR | Auto, HDR1, HDR2, HDR3, Advanced HDR, Exposure bracket value adjustable, Automatic composition correction function |
Pixel Shift Resolution | Available, Motion Correction ON/OFF , Image Stabilization On |
Lens Correction | Distortion Correction, Peripheral Illumin. Correction, Lateral Chromatic Aberration Correction, Diffraction Correction |
D-RANGE Compensation | Highlight Correction, Shadow Correction |
Noise Reduction | Slow Shutter Speed NR, High-ISO NR |
GPS | GPS Logging (Logging Interval, Logging Duration, Memory Card Options), GPS Time Sync |
Electronic Compass | Available |
Astrotracer | Possible |
Horizon Correction | SR On: correction up to 1 degrees, SR Off: correction up to 2 degrees |
Composition Adjustment | Adjustment range of ±1.5mm up, down, left or right (1mm when rotated); Rotating range of 1 degree |
Electronic Level | Displayed in viewfinder (Horizontal and vertical); Displayed on LCD monitor (Horizontal and vertical) |
Movie | |
File Format | MPEG-4 AVC/H.264(MOV) |
Recorded Pixels | Full HD(1920×1080, 60i/50i/30p/25p/24p) HD (1280×720, 60p/50p) |
Sound | Built-in stereo microphone, external microphone (Stereo recording compatible) Recording Sound Level adjustable, Wind Noise Reduction |
Recording Time | Up to 25 minutes or 4GB ; automatically stops recording if the internal temperature of the camera becomes high. |
Custom Images | Auto Select, Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Flat, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing |
Cross Processing | Random, Preset 1-3, Favorite 1-3. |
Digital Filter | Extract Color, Replace Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Bold Monochrome |
Playback |
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Playback View | Single frame, Multi-image display (6,12, 20, 35, 80 segmentation), Display magnification (up to 16, 100% display and quick magnification available), Grid display (4×4 Grid, Golden Section, Scale display, Square 1, Square 2, Grid Color: Black/White ), Rotating, Histogram (Y histogram, RGB histogram), Bright area warning, Auto Image Rotation, Detailed information, Copyright Information (Photographer, Copyright holder), GPS information (latitude, longitude, altitude, Coordinated Universal Time) , Orientation, Folder Display, Calendar Filmstrip Display, Slide Show, |
Delete | Delete single image, delete all, select & delete, delete folder, delete instant review image |
Digital Filter | Base Parameter Adj, Extract Color, Replace Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Bold Monochrome, Tone Expansion, Sketch, Water Color, Pastel, Posterization, Miniature, Soft, Starburst, Fish-eye, Slim, Monochrome |
RAW Development | RAW file select: Select Single Image, Select Multiple Images, Select a folderRAW Development Parameter: White Balance, Custom Image, Sensitivity, Clarity, Skin Tone, Digital filter, HDR, Pixel Shift Resolution, Shadow Correction, High-ISO NR, Distortion Correction, Peripheral Illumin. Corr., Lateral Chromatic Aberration Correction, Diffraction Correction, Color Fringe Correction, File Format (JPEG/TIFF), Aspect Ratio, JPEG Recorded Pixels, JPEG Quality, Color Space |
Edit | Image Rotation, Color Moiré Correction, Resize, Cropping (Aspect ratio and Slant adjustment available), Movie Edit (Divide or delete selected frames), Capturing a JPEG still picture from a movie, Saving RAW data in buffer memory, Image Copy |
Customization | |
USER Mode | Up to 5 settings can be saved |
Custom Functions | 26 items |
Mode Memory | 17 items |
Button Customization | Fx1 Button, Fx2 Button (One Push File Format, Outdoor View Setting, Flash Mode, Pixel Shift Resolution, Shake Reduction, Horizon Correction, Electronic Level) AF Button (AF1/ AF2/ Cancel AF) Preview Dial (Optical Preview/Digital Preview) Various settings for the action of the e-dials in each exposure mode can also be saved. |
AF Customization | AF.S: Focus-priority/ Release-priority 1st Frame Action in AF.C: Release-priority/Auto/Focus-priority Action in AF.C Continuous: Focus-priority, Auto, FPS-priority Hold AF Status: OFF, Low, Medium, High AF in Interval Shooting: Locks focus at 1st exposure, Adjusts focus for each shot AF with Remote Control: Off/On |
Operation Control Lock | Type1: E-Dial, EV Compensation, ISO, Green Button, AE Lock Type2: 4-way controller, AF point change button, Change AF Point, OK Button, Menu Button |
Text Size | Standard, Large |
World Time | World Time settings for 75 cities (28 time zones) |
Language | English, French, Germany, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese |
AF Fine Adjustment | ±10 step, Uniform adjustment, Individual adjustment (up to 20 can be saved) |
Illumination Settings | LCD Panel (High/Low/Off), Backside Controls (High/Low/Off), Lens Mount (On/Off), Card Slot/Connector (On/Off) |
Indicator Lamps | Wi-Fi (High/Low/Off), GPS (High/Low/Off), Self-timer (On/Off), Remote Control (On/Off) |
Copyright Information | Names of “Photographer” and “Copyright Holder” are embedded to the image file. Revision history can be checked using the provided software. |
GPS/Electronic Compass | |
Satellites | GPS, QZSS, SBAS(WAAS/EGNOS/GAGAN/MSAS) |
Reception Frequency | L1 1575.42MHz |
Recorded Information | Latitude, Longitude, Altitude, Time (UTC), Direction |
Geodesics | World Geodetic System (WGS84) |
GPS Logging | KML format, Logging Interval: 5/10/15/30sec. /1min., Logging Duration: 1-24hr. (Up to 9hours at Logging Interval 5sec. Up to 18hrs. at Logging Interval 10sec.) |
Electronic Compass | Azimuth calculation using triaxial geomagnetic sensor and triaxial acceleration sensor, True north standard |
Power supply | |
Battery Type | Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery D-LI90 |
AC Adapter | AC Adapter Kit K-AC167 (Optional) |
Battery Life | Number of recordable images: Approx.: 670 images Playback time: Approx. 340 minutes * With a fully-recharged Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery. Tested in compliance with CIPA standard. Actual results may vary depending on the shooting condition. |
Interfaces | |
Connection Port | USB2.0 (micro B), External power supply terminal, External cable switch terminal, X-sync socket, HDMI output terminal (Type D) , Stereo microphone input terminal, Headphone terminal |
USB Connection | MSC/PTP |
Wireless LAN | |
Standards | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
Frequency (Center Frequency) | 2412MHz~2462MHz (1ch~11ch) |
Security | Authentication: WPA2, Encryption: AES |
Dimensions and Weight | |
Dimensions | Approx. 136.5mm (W) x110mm (H) x 85.5mm (D) (excluding protrusions) |
Weight | Approx. 1010g (Including dedicated battery and SD Memory Card), Approx. 925g (body only) |
Operating Environment | |
Temperature | -10°C~40°C (14°F~104°F) |
Humidity | 85% or less (no condensation) |
Accessories | |
Included | Strap O-ST162, ME Viewfinder Cap, Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery D-LI90, Battery Charger D-BC90, AC plug cord, Software (CD-ROM) S-SW162 <Mounted to the camera> Eyecup FT, Hot shoe cover FK, Sync socket 2p cap, Body mount cap KII, Battery Grip terminal cover |
Software | Digital Camera Utility 5 |
System Requirements
<Windows> | |
OS | Windows 10(FCU/CU) (32bit/64bit)/Windows 8.1 (32bit/64bit)/ Windows 8 (32bit/64bit)/ Windows 7 (32bit/64bit) |
CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo or higher |
RAM | 4GB or more |
Free Disk Space | Program installation and start-up: 100 MB or more of available space Image file saving: Approximately 15 MB per file (JPEG) / approximately 50MB (RAW) |
Monitor | 1280 x 1024 dots, 24 bit full-color or more |
<Macintosh> | |
OS | macOS v10.13 High Sierra / macOS v10.12 Sierra / OS X v10.11 El Capitan / OS X v10.10 Yosemite |
CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo or higher |
RAM | 4GB or more |
Free Disk Space | Program installation and start-up: 100 MB or more of available space Image file saving: Approximately 15 MB per file (JPEG) / approximately 50MB (RAW) |
Monitor | 1280 x 1024 pixels, 24 bit full-color or more |
But Also… Limited Time Pentax K-1 Upgrade Option!
In addition to the brand new Pentax K1 Mark II that was announced above, Pentax has also announced a special Pentax K1 service upgrade current K-1 owners can do to get the new features announced in the K-1 Mark II without having to buy the new camera.
Obviously, as you should expect, a service upgrade like this one comes with a pricetag, but it is a significant savings over the price of buying a brand new K-1 Mark II! Significantly cheaper actually, only $550 USD. The service upgrade will be available starting on May 21 2018, but it will also end on September 30 2018; so if you want to upgrade your K-1, make sure to get that set up before the September cutoff date.
Pentax says the upgrade will involve upgrading the main circuit board in your K-1, and they will also change the name badge on your K-1 to the K-1 Mark II logo – so for all intents and purposes, for $550 you can upgrade to a K-1 Mark II. Now that is a pretty sweet deal, and Pentax has said further details will be available in the weeks to come.