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No AA filter for a 20.1 sensor...The image quality may be over K5IIs...Compact and no AA filter and 20mp sensor...This is really a "BIG" gun from pentax against competitors...
Well, at least some "technical advances" on paper make up for the user interface-regression that is the K-S1 compared to the K-500.
"no AA filter" -- just means resolution of 20+ million pixels is enough to give you a 5+ million RGP-pixel image with just about no false-color artifacts and/or moire. Hence an AA-filter isn't really needed anymore for action photos as opposed to lets say: scenic landscape shooting.
Then again: AA-filter simulation as found in the K-3 (used when needed) reportedly lessens battery-life, since the SR-electro-mechanics don't work "for free".
A plus in my book, as well, is that those green/red LED-blinky-lights actually are meant to do something useful! I wish instead of signaling smiling faces they were able to display the state of battery-charge and/or in-focus portions of the frame (e.g. for selfie-group-shots on a tripod). I'm talking about all-green meaning above 90% charge, half-green above 50%, half-red 50%, two-red: "take care", one-red: "about empty". THAT would be really useful. Hopefully some Pentax-firmware-programmer-guy takes note!
At least the K-S1 does retain the solid-glass type Pentaprism which will guarantee a good first-look viewfinder experience and hence make this entry-level camera shine above some other name-brand cheapo-dslrs. Although, looking at Canon and Nikon: a flipping, articulating screen makes so much sense, especially in an inexpensive camera like this - yet, to be fair, both of their offerings (D5xxx, XXX-D) lack the solid glass prism finder that makes traditional OVF-image-taking worthwhile.
So not bad of a camera, really. But - coming from a fast-paced shooter's perspective - I'm personally still not really that excited about it. Oh by the way: this camera needs some colorful body-paint. So whatever style floats your boat: DON'T BUY the black-on-black one. That single combo will absolutely reflect some bad taste back on its owner
Well, it actually looks much better "in hand", specially this white version. Still, the overall design could be more "classy". The silver trim around the body and those LEDs still look cheap. And that blue-led-lit "ok" button on the back is just a tasteless detail. Reminds of the similar button on the Fujifilm Finepix 4800 and its relatives (that managed to look better).
The important is: GIVE US THE FF, already! If you're not going to, then at least give us a more compact DA+WR+DC 2.8 (or 2.8-4) standard zoom (it's on the roadmap - just make it happen) and some *FAST* DA primes with metal mount to fill the gap between the 21 and the 35. A 30mm 1.4 with DC and WR, shaped and priced like the Sigma would be perfect, but I'm dreaming of course...
So much for the stupid modular fantasies of foolish daydreaming Fanboys! Looks like a nice compact practical camera but without WR it will be a nonstarter for me. Hope it sells well and keeps things going!
I cannot comprehend myself just WHY Pentax (now Ricoh) does it the way they do it.
In my mind - as pjaves already noted - there is a sorely open space for a "fast normal-prime" with "WR"-designation. And the 20..40mm isn't really it (rotating filter-thread is NOT sexy in a 1000€ limited-aperture-size lens!)
Another miss-judged addition to the line is everything "DA-L" - and now: even "DAL-WR". Quick-shift was once a nice feature that surprised me very positively when putting my hands on a Pentax K200 for the first time. Every not-top-tier Pentax after that was put together with those castrated kits that had this useful feature removed... ...why? I can only come to the conclusion that Pentax lost many over-the-counter sales because of it! Also: I wouldn't think cost-reduction on the diversification of a slow, inexpensive kit-zoom actually made them any more profit in the process!
"the 20..40mm isn't really it (rotating filter-thread is NOT sexy in a 1000€ limited-aperture-size lens!)"
ePHOTOzine about the Pentax HD 20-40mm: "Focusing isn't performed internally, so the lens barrel extends during focusing and during zooming. Even so, the filter ring does not rotate, which makes it perfect for use with polarising and graduated filters".
Nice camera, glass prism so good viewfinder. Small dimensions Pity still no tiltable lcd, and probably no aa batteriyholder, a shame as the lithium energizer AAs were wonderful in the kx. All in all, when the price is right, and when it makes a bit less acustical noise than the k30, a nice successor
Logging you in...
badsykes · 551 weeks ago
Heiko · 551 weeks ago
"no AA filter" -- just means resolution of 20+ million pixels is enough to give you a 5+ million RGP-pixel image with just about no false-color artifacts and/or moire. Hence an AA-filter isn't really needed anymore for action photos as opposed to lets say: scenic landscape shooting.
Then again: AA-filter simulation as found in the K-3 (used when needed) reportedly lessens battery-life, since the SR-electro-mechanics don't work "for free".
A plus in my book, as well, is that those green/red LED-blinky-lights actually are meant to do something useful! I wish instead of signaling smiling faces they were able to display the state of battery-charge and/or in-focus portions of the frame (e.g. for selfie-group-shots on a tripod). I'm talking about all-green meaning above 90% charge, half-green above 50%, half-red 50%, two-red: "take care", one-red: "about empty". THAT would be really useful. Hopefully some Pentax-firmware-programmer-guy takes note!
At least the K-S1 does retain the solid-glass type Pentaprism which will guarantee a good first-look viewfinder experience and hence make this entry-level camera shine above some other name-brand cheapo-dslrs. Although, looking at Canon and Nikon: a flipping, articulating screen makes so much sense, especially in an inexpensive camera like this - yet, to be fair, both of their offerings (D5xxx, XXX-D) lack the solid glass prism finder that makes traditional OVF-image-taking worthwhile.
So not bad of a camera, really. But - coming from a fast-paced shooter's perspective - I'm personally still not really that excited about it. Oh by the way: this camera needs some colorful body-paint. So whatever style floats your boat: DON'T BUY the black-on-black one. That single combo will absolutely reflect some bad taste back on its owner
pjalves · 551 weeks ago
The important is: GIVE US THE FF, already! If you're not going to, then at least give us a more compact DA+WR+DC 2.8 (or 2.8-4) standard zoom (it's on the roadmap - just make it happen) and some *FAST* DA primes with metal mount to fill the gap between the 21 and the 35. A 30mm 1.4 with DC and WR, shaped and priced like the Sigma would be perfect, but I'm dreaming of course...
Mel · 551 weeks ago
Heiko · 551 weeks ago
Yet - so true!
I cannot comprehend myself just WHY Pentax (now Ricoh) does it the way they do it.
In my mind - as pjaves already noted - there is a sorely open space for a "fast normal-prime" with "WR"-designation. And the 20..40mm isn't really it (rotating filter-thread is NOT sexy in a 1000€ limited-aperture-size lens!)
Another miss-judged addition to the line is everything "DA-L" - and now: even "DAL-WR". Quick-shift was once a nice feature that surprised me very positively when putting my hands on a Pentax K200 for the first time. Every not-top-tier Pentax after that was put together with those castrated kits that had this useful feature removed... ...why? I can only come to the conclusion that Pentax lost many over-the-counter sales because of it!
Also: I wouldn't think cost-reduction on the diversification of a slow, inexpensive kit-zoom actually made them any more profit in the process!
Peye · 551 weeks ago
ePHOTOzine about the Pentax HD 20-40mm:
"Focusing isn't performed internally, so the lens barrel extends during focusing and during zooming. Even so, the filter ring does not rotate, which makes it perfect for use with polarising and graduated filters".
Heiko · 551 weeks ago
Cheers
John · 551 weeks ago
Pity still no tiltable lcd, and probably no aa batteriyholder, a shame as the lithium energizer AAs were wonderful in the kx.
All in all, when the price is right, and when it makes a bit less acustical noise than the k30, a nice successor