K-1 III Existence Announcement ;-p

Countdown Timer 

New fully revamped Pentax FF to come, will be on sales within 2026. 

Credit: Asahiman

Latest Japanese Rumour on K-1 Mark III

See the translated page here.  

New features include 61MP Sony BSI sensor, SAFOX 14, 4k/60fps video, CF Express card, USB 3.2 and etc. Said to be announced in October and to ship in November, priced at 500k Japanese Yens.

News from Ricoh - K-1 III is Still Under Development and etc.

From a latest post in the Xitek Pentax forum, an interview with the Ricoh senior officials (from the product development and planning divisions) in a recent marketing event in Taipei was cited.

The key messages delivered are summarised as follows: 

 

1. The K-1 III is still under development. More time is required with a higher precision aimed on the design as well as owing to the difficulty in sourcing certain components and parts for the new camera.

2. The film camera project is in good progress but further details will not be disclosed. Nonetheless, collaboration with other film product manufacturers will be made for determining a right selling price and marketing strategy.

3. Feasibility for the revival of the Q system is being carried out, subject to the requests made by the Pentax fans in Japan. But considering the limitation of the Q system, it would be unlikely.

4. The 645 system is in its end of development, production of the remaining products will last for a certain period of time.

5. Mirrorless is not a viable option for Pentax.

6. New DFA* wide angle lens(es) and replacement of the DA*50-135 are being considered according to market needs.

DC Watch's Hands-on of the K-3 III

https://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1296875.html (Google English translation here)

https://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1297078.html (Pentax' brand statement with the K-3 III, Google English translation here)

And, the below video recorded the shutter sound and demonstrates the burst modes of the K-3 III:

 

(https://youtu.be/Pmfrk038Go4)

Dimensions and Wireless+Power Info of the K-New

https://twitter.com/nokishita_c/status/1289117575759032320

(in Japanese)

Wi-Fi(11b/g/n) with Bluetooth; Dimensions: 134.5mm W x 103.5mm H x 73.5mm D without protruding parts (138.5mm W x 103.6mm H x 80.4mm D maximum), i.e., a little bit larger than the K-3/II but with less depth; Power: D-LI90 with optional vertical grip D-BG8.

Btw, the previous secret unmarked button is just the lock button. :-(

K-1 Mark III Beta Samples Leaked?

Someone emailed me the link of this post in a Chinese Pentax forum, the samples look legitimate (it seems to be). Is the Mark III going to launch in 2019?