RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: Trustable Rumour: Pentax K-01 Mirrorless is Coming, No DSLR!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Trustable Rumour: Pentax K-01 Mirrorless is Coming, No DSLR!

The Japanese Digicame-info has posted their learnt insider information. It should be noted that they had good past track record for the accuracy of such leaks or "rumours" with high accuracy, as they do have some good and reliable sources and information providers:-

http://digicame-info.com/2012/01/aps-ck-01.html

(in Japanese, Google English Translation Here)

It is essentially a K-mount DSLR without a mirror and optical viewfinder, which are both removed and deleted. With the exact weight and dimensions disclosed, the reliability this piece of information seems to look even higher. The size and weight are not particular small figures and all are actually close to the K-r. And, instead of an OVF, there will be an EVF, but whether it is internal or external is yet uncertain.

Btw, I really don't like the name of K-01, which looks cheap and redundant for the zero before the last digit. Does Ricoh plan to name their upcoming cameras in the series as 01, 02, 03, 04 and so on?! (which IMHO is plain stupid and unimpressive!) >:-o

After all, it's time for me to buy the K-5, really, provided that it could pass my own Quality Check. It seems that the death of Pentax DSLRs and line is pushed closer (and virtually declared or at least hinted) with the introduction of such a camera! Too bad.. But the scaring policy of the RP does work! What a marketing! :-o

Related:-

Poll: Will You Buy the K-5 Right Now?

Comments (42)

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0 Vote up Vote down

GordonZA · 688 weeks ago

Ah... Nikon D4... now where to place my order... So another waste of time camera from Pentax. EVF and bird photography, no thanks....

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

0 Vote up Vote down

Mr Big · 688 weeks ago

I not going to pretend to know it all but I know this rumor to be false.

2 replies · active 688 weeks ago

+3 Vote up Vote down

D0n · 688 weeks ago

this is the camera I've been hoping for. If priced reasonable, I will buy one for sure.

3 replies · active 688 weeks ago

+3 Vote up Vote down

Mage · 688 weeks ago

This sounds like really good news. Just like Sony, Olympus and Fuji, Pentax gives up on DSLRs and moves on to where the future is. No point continuing the struggle in a market that is owned by Canon and Nikon and that is a dead end. To be able to do it with a K-mount is great for existing Pentax users, although it may mean design compromises and a product that is less attractive for new buyers and raise more questions about the viability of this approach. I wonder whether this camera could be just a bridge camera that leads to a new mount. Another nail in the coffin of the mirrorbox design. So, this is progress!

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

+2 Vote up Vote down

Gordonza · 688 weeks ago

Personally I would rather glue a Pentax badge on my iPhone than waste money on a mirror less camera...
K5 was three steps forward, this would be 500 million leaps backward...

Having said that lets hope Pentax is planning to release a pro level DSLR in the league of a D4 in addition to such a low level camera otherwise Pentax will become a has been brand.

People look up to Canon and Nikon because of two things, amazing products in the D4 and 1DX and secondly the marketing to create the desirability of these products.

Come on Ricoh give us a pro level body... K-01 for the masses and pro level for professionals and for inspiration!

4 replies · active 688 weeks ago

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VoiceOfReason · 688 weeks ago

In English:-
http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-c...

Contrast autofocus, 81 points

0 Vote up Vote down

OGL · 688 weeks ago

*ist DS - 125 x 93 x 66 mm
Olympus E-420 130 x 91 x 53 mm
K-x: 123 x 92 x 68 mm
Fuji X100 126.5*74.4*53.9 mm

K-01: 121 x 79 x 59 mm is much closer to X100.

As for me *ist DS was very small

K-01 is smaller.

As for name - maybe it's just working name

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

-2 Vote up Vote down

Steve · 688 weeks ago

Yuck I hate EVF's now might be a good time to buy that D7000 nice body nice VF.
Bad move from Pentax the only pro point could be it might actually be able to autofocus properly (snigger!)

0 Vote up Vote down

Rad Man · 688 weeks ago

I don't think this is a good idea I tried an A65 in a shop and I didn't care much for the electronic viewfinder it's not very good for moving subjects.

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

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gfjhjk · 688 weeks ago

So, there will be a big difference to all the other mirrorless (nikon, µ43, sony, samsung, fuji) systems: As soon as big sensors get cheaper, Pentax can easily go fullframe. That is a very prospective approach.
And in the meantime they could bring out some new DFA-Lenses for future K-Mount cameras with or without mirror. btw, some of the exsting DA-lenses already work very well on fullframe (except for the lenshood)

0 Vote up Vote down

Rob · 688 weeks ago

Im ok with a mirrorless as long as it is in addition to a regular DSLR but PLEASE dont ditch DSLR. The lag in even the very best EVFs is noticeable compared to the speed of light bouncing off a mirror.

Having said that - IF this new system is mirrorless and works with all my k-mount lenses, I might get one as a second/pocket camera. I would also think of getting one for my wife who wants something better than her P&S. I had been leaning toward the Panasonic GF3 but if I can get her a k-mount we can share lenses (read, I get all new ones!!!).

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mirrorless_sucks · 688 weeks ago

Easy Mirrorless camera: Buy a DSLR, remove the mirror, tape the finder, use live view.

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

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Enche Tjin · 688 weeks ago

Wow! Pentax Ricoh has so many systems right now that they will confused consumers and eventually no one buying any because of the decision paralysis. They should explain which systems will be maintained as clear as possible!

2 replies · active 688 weeks ago

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Mage · 688 weeks ago

The writing is on the wall. DSLRs days are numbered.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Raist3d · 688 weeks ago

I have to laugh every time I see stuff like this as "categoric evidence" of the death of the K-5 type line. Let's think this through for a moment- The K-5 is what? Just a little over 1 year old?

Somehow no DSLR class successor for it is seen as the death of the line? Guys… not even Canon replaces their 7D class camera yearly, neither does Nikon. But somehow Pentax doesn't do it in a little over a year and now this is a "sure sign" the K-5 DSLR's type camera from Pentax are doomed?

Sure, it could happen. I just have to laugh that this is seen as "evidence." Did it occur to somebody this camera could be one in addition to, instead of "instead of?"

Why is it so hard for people to think and just being fixated on capitalist purchasing with 6-12 month cycles?

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Jiri · 688 weeks ago

I have Pentax K200 with dead pixel line on the chip. I can use only ISO 100 or 200. For higher ISO the line is too much visible. I am therefore looking for the replacement. I have been almost decided to go for discounted K-5, but now I will have to wait for the first reviews of K-01. I like DSLRs for theirs ergonomics and abilities, but I hate it for its weight and dimensions, because I want to have the camera still with me.

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Jaxon S · 688 weeks ago

Pentax Q-5 may be a better name since the 'Q' seems to denote "mirrorless"

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Marek · 688 weeks ago

Well .. seems like a new line of lenses is on the way ... " DA 40mm F2.8XS" ... which suggests that the current lenses (even DA) probably suck on this new thing (likely AF wise). BTW, as soon as Pentax releases in the future also K-5 successor (with a optical viewfinder), I don't mind this camera, seems like a good replacement for K-r. It's an entry level camera ... If they give us K-3 in the fall (hopefully FF) then it's alright...

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dodo · 688 weeks ago

For what can XS stand for? Xtra small?

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D0n · 688 weeks ago

my guess is the new lenses will use smaller glass elements the sit recessed into the camera body, and have a Samsung styled edial function, silent and fast af for video shooting, and once attached to the camera, a 40mm would probably stick out no more than a common body cap..
new lenses will not work on D-slr's as the mirror will hit the recessed rear of the lens, but older lenses will work on the k-01, albeit with slower or no af.

4 replies · active 688 weeks ago

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orgy · 688 weeks ago

Although Pentax didn’t announce anything at CES, they showed me a top secret model that’s going to be unveiled within the coming weeks.
All I can say is that you’ve never seen anything like it from a design standpoint. Pentax will also release a few more point-and-shoots, but those are top secret at the moment as well. I really like Pentax. I’ve never had any major issues with their cameras and image quality is consistent across the board. For the mid-level DSLR shooter, you can’t go wrong with a Pentax. I’m predicting good things from from this company and am looking forward to reviewing the new models as they arrive from Japan. http://www.technobuffalo.com/cameras/photography/...

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

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