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.

Prediction: What New Features of the K-New Would Have?

Presuming that they have the same APS-C sensor, and then going through the specs of that Sony sensor and then the set of features of the X-T4. Here we go, for the possible new features that had never been offered by Pentax before, in their upcoming new flagship:

- 26MP BSI CMOS sensor (for its high ISO performance, this sample at ISO 10000 may shed some light)

- 18.82 fps maximum frame rate with 12-bit RAW (which will be converted to 8-bit JPEG anyway, limit of the sensor for the read-out bit-depth and rate combinations)

- If 14-bit RAW is implemented (KP and K-1/II have 14-bit RAW), the frame rate for continuous shooting still picture will be in between 6.84 (for highest 16-bit readout of the whole picture) and 18.82 (as mentioned above) - the above brief marketing sheet of the sensor does not mention about the 14-bit readout modes and rates

- 10 fps is possible (considering that the XT-4 offers 15 fps continuous shooting with mechanical shutter, unless Pentax's latest mechanical engineering plus image processing speed are yet not up to there. And, the Pentax has a mirror but the Fuji does not. )

- 425 point on-sensor phase-matching AF in Live View mode, which the X-T4 has

- 10-bit full-frame 4k video in 30p (limit of sensor) or 12-bit 2k video at high frame rates (55 to 111 fps which is the limits of the sensor); Or 10-bit 4k video at 60 fps is possible with the 1.18x crop factor of the centre

- 4:2:0 colour sub-sampling for H.264 codec (which is a bit too much for the dropping of the colour data) and 4:2:2 for H.265 (Pentax may have a different codec and implementation, though)

But since that the K-new will not have any articulated screen / flipped monitor, the video capability of it will not be too strong anyway?

Other sample images of the production X-T4 in DPR's latest full review of the camera can be found here. Also, a quick glance with the comparometer at the DPR, it seems that the ISO performance will be improved from the KP's by one to two stop(s), and which will undoubtedly exceed the IQ of the K-1 II.

My K-1 Impressions (Pure Text Quick Review)

The ergonomics of the K-1 is superb. It feels very comfortable to hold in hands and feels very solid and balanced. The overall build of the K-1 is very good, but the camera top feels a bit plasticky and hollow.

AF is really accurate, but hit rate is not 100%, sometime it missed, especially when focusing in a hurry or under low light. But when it hits, it is really accurate. Tried the three FA Limited wide opened, no problem. Tried several other A, FA, FA*, DA and DA* primes, they all focused accurately wide opened. The K-1 probably is the most accurate Pentax AFSLR ever made, since the MZ-S. I really like it! :-)

Focusing is faster and quieter than before. But the speed is not particularly fast when it is compared to other FF bodies of Canon and Nikon. Forget about focus tracking with multiple AF points for moving objects, the points are still not enough and are too much centred. There is still some room for improvement. 

Exposure accuracy is good, probably maybe a bit bright for its tendency, especially with film glass. Seems a bit more accurate with digital lenses. Nonetheless, the EV compensation is always there. It is quite easy to use with the quick function dial. I set it to +/- by default. Or, one can customise the e-dials to directly control the EV compensation.

Resolution of the images from K-1 is really superb. The per pixel sharpness is better than the Canon and Sony FF bodies that I have, even with the same lenses put on them. That's only my own subjective impression, though and no scientific measurbation has yet been made, because I am now busy with shooting with a good camera, instead of doing endless measurbation tests for faulty cameras.

Colour rendition is contemporary, which is now very Canon alike. It do taste very CMOS, the AWB is very white, maybe too white IMO than one would like to preserve the atmosphere even under the warm sunlight. But K-1 do really "catch up" with the game. ;-) I found it works best in the Natural mode, with the Saturation turned up one step.

Dynamic range is good, better than the Canon's. Noise is acceptable up to ISO 3200 and beyond that, use it unless it must be.

Lens correction now works very well. It is fast and there is no more delay as in older models, even with all the four corrected function enabled. Supported all DFA digital and FA* film lenses. DA lenses are supported in crop mode. Lens correction does not work in FF mode for DA lenses, even if they are actually FF compatible. On the other hand, for supported FF lenses, lens correction does work even when crop mode is selected.

Liveview operation is good, the liveview image will change according to the FF or crop mode selected (and of course). The LV AF is fast but unfortunate insensitive. It often missed focus with lower contrast, even under bright light situations outdoor.

There is nothing special for the video recording (movie) mode. And there is no live AF under movie mode. AF can be remeasured upon pressing of the AF button on demand by the user. It is not possible to capture any still photo during video recording.

The super articulated monitor is sturdy and easy to use, better than imagined before. Most importantly, the closed position is well aligned.

Mirror action is crisp but yet gentle, resemble the old feel of the MZ-S film flagship. The *ist D had similar feel in the mirror but however its movement is obvious too slow. Now the K-1's is quite good but I still hope that it could move faster anyway.

Viewfinder clarity is not as good as my Canon 5DIII which is brighter and clearer to see than the K-1, despite both have an overlaid LCD information display on the finder frame.

The electronic level indication is now very easy to see and follow. It is sensitive and accurate provided that you got a good copy. My first copy has good accuracy for the horizontal sensor but the vertical sensor is a little bit off.

GPS is sensitive and accurate and is very easy to turn on and off, with the dedicated button. WiFi is also easy to on and off with the special function dial. The red and blue LED indicators is a good design. However, the Ricoh Image Sync App is just a piece of junk, undoubtedly. It is difficult to use, with limited features and its operations are completely nonsense, even for the basic functions of browsing photos and for downloading.

Korean Popco.net K-1 Hands-on

http://www.popco.net/zboard/view.php?id=dica_review&no=1015

New Ricoh WG-M1

http://www.us.ricoh-imaging.com/digital-camera/WG-M1_orange

The monitor is way too small IMHO, it is of the same size of my ancient Optio 330, i.e., in 1.5"?! :-o

It *seems* to have built-in WiFi connectivitiy, though, as the specifications does not mention this but just in the product highlights. That is, the first camera of Ricoh Pentax that have this useful and handy function, and a Fuck-card should not be required anymore! :-D

645Z Announced

http://www.camera-pentax.jp/645z/en/sp/

http://www.camera-pentax.jp/645z/en/sp/passion.html

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/645z/spec/

645Z Specifications

• 52.99MP CMOS without AA filter (51.4Mp effectively, 8265 x 6192 pixel)
• ISO 100 - 204,800
• SAFOX11 AF system, 27 point (25 cross type), LW -3 - +18
• 3.2" LCD screen: 3:2 ratio, 1,037,000 dots
• LiveView, contrast AF, focus peaking
• TTL metering with 86k RGB sensor
• 3fps in JPEG L up to approx. 300 frames
• Full HD video (1920x1080), 4K in intervall mode
• USB3.0
• Official announcement on April 14th
• US price: $8,496.95

Via: Photo Rumors

645Z Appearance

Via: Digicame Info (in Japanese)

A pair of stereo built-in microphones can be seen. So, it must have the video recording function.

New Product Images of the "Ricoh" K-3 and A "New" Red Ring DA HD 55-300 WR Lens

Source: Digicame Info Here and Here.

So, it once again proves that my first leaked specs of the K-3 dated back to Sept 22nd is correct and there is a new phone jack but not only the mic jack against the previous K-5 series.

Nonetheless, I am disappointed with an once-again refurbished lens by Ricoh and the new red ring and colour is indeed awful and just makes the lens looks ugly and worse! >:-(

Latest K-3 Technical Details (from my Trustable Source)

So, the last rumoured K-3 thing while is true but not exact. Of course, I believe my source. Here we go! :-D

Ricoh Pentax K-3: 24MP APS-C Sensor, Hardware AA Filter-less, Software AA Filter, PRIME III Image Processor, 86k RGB Segmented Light Metering with -3EV Sensitivity, 27-Point AF with -3EV Sensitivity, 8.5 Maximum FPS (Tentative), 4 Stop SR, 100% 0.95X Optical Viewfinder, Fixed Air-gapless LCD, Built-in Interval Shooting up to 2000 Frames and Internal Video Composite, MPEG4 AVC/H.264 Full HD 30p/60i Video, New Stereo Phone-out Monitor Jack, 3 User Modes, USB 3.0, 800g, US$1299.99 Body Only.

Five Reasons Why Choose Pentax? (Official, and then for Five Reasons NOT!)

Read: http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/whypentax/index.html

But as the top "Pentax hatred site" on Earth, I have to write five of the most updated reasons for why not Pentax now so as to make the balance, namely as follows! ;-p

1. Pentax is not Pentax anymore, its name disappeared from web and on lens (the name plate and marking was removed)! And, there is no SMC anymore! >:-o Now comes the HD, yes, it is 720p only, not even 1080p! ;->

2. There is no Full Frame Pentax which never comes true even after twelve years since the old MR52 prototype in K-mount was first created! Non, there is never any concrete plan of a FF that is official!

3. There is no REAL new Pentax DSLR body nor REAL new lenses for more than two years now! For instance, the K-50 is identical to the old K-30 of the last year. The K-500 and K-50 "are" also essentially the same camera body! K-5II is just a K-5 of 2010 with no significant improvements. Yes, they changed the LCD monitor, add one and only one f/2.8 AF sensor. But so what? Could the development of two years only give those?! As for the lenses, there are only repackaged ones with new colours. Yes, colour variations, their strongest point for long!

4. Pentax colour rendition is no more Pentax by now and indeed, worse than the current Canons', IMHO!

5. There are more problems with Pentax and actually Ricoh for their camera business and strategy (if any). But since I have to be concise and confine points to five, the last point is that the Ricoh named Pentax will probably soon to be doomed and has no future. So, should you buy and invest into such a dying and eventually dead system? Don't blame me on my this point but which is 100% valid. What Ricoh has shown us for their plan(s) and give us faith on the future of the brand?? Name changing!?

Ricoh has Refurbished the Old 360 and 540 Flash Units

See the Press Release at DPR:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/08/27/ricoh-introduces-weather-resistant-flash-units

Weather sealing and a video LED light source are added:

"New" 540II:


"New" 360II:


"The AF360FGZ II and AF540FGZ II will be available for purchase at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com and retail outlets nationwide in September 2013 for the suggested retail price of $429.95 and $629.95, respectively."

New Pentax Reviews: Q7 and K-50

1. DPR's Q7 review is out. Wow, it is completed published so quickly this time. Has Ricoh done something? ;-)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentax-q7

The overall mark given is quite low, though.

2. Full K-50 review at PF:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-k-50-review/conclusion.html

So, this is the key point of the conclusion:

"With that said, the K-50 is essentially nothing more than a K-30 in a redesigned casing.  The differences that do exist between these two cameras are subtle and do not affect image quality or usability.  The only new feature to speak of is dedicated support for eye-fi wireless SD cards.  Thus, relative to the competition, Pentax has stood still for about a year now."

"The one thing that discourages us from recommending the K-50 is the fact that it's so similar to the K-30." 

DPR MX-1 Full Review Published

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentax-mx-1

And the Conclusions and Samples:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentax-mx-1/11

Q7 Specs and There is a K-500 Also (Not K-50)

Above: Q7 with a "new" 01 prime lens in black colour.

- 12.4 MP effective 1/1.7" CMOS sensor
- New "Q Engine" image processor
- 25 zone AF, improved sensitivity down to EV0
- ISO Sensitivity 100-12800
- Shutter speed 30 to 1/2000s mechanical, up to 1/8000s in combination with electronic shutter
- In-camera shake reduction (SR) up to 3 stops approxmately
- Full HD video recording at 30fps, sensitivity up to ISO 12800
- Time-lapsed video recording
- AF possible during video recording
- Continuous shooting at 5 frames per second
- 460,000 dot 3 inch monitor
- Dust Removal II
- Supports SD/HC/XC, Eye-Fi cards
- Dimensions: 102.0 x 58.0 x 33.5mm
- Weight:180g body only, 200g with battery and card
- Estimated price: Japanese Yens 40,000 body only, 50,000 with kit lens

Besides, it is also said that another entry level DSLR body K-500 would be announced soon, but this model is to be on sales at overseas outside Japan only, in the meantime. There is no additional information about this rumoured new body, though.

Via Japanese Digicame Info here and here.

Pentax K-50 Leaked

http://photorumors.com/2013/06/05/pentax-k-50-dslr-camera-leaks-on-retailers-website-in-france/

How is the "new" camera different from the old K-30, except for now the more traditional appearance and a stereo built-in microphone (still no mic-in socket of any!)? Is it really so difficult for Ricoh to make a true new body? And, where is the compact DSLR body of Pentax? E.g., a K-x successor, which could compete with the Canon EOS 100D??

Btw, there is also a "new" kit lens to come. From the picture above, it reads "DAL 18-55mm WR". Bravo, Pentax Ricoh! ;-p


Read Also:-

The Pentax Coffins! >:-o

For Those Who Thinks the K-01 is the "Best Pentax Video Camera Ever"..

(Above: A professional setup for video shooting using the K-01, for details of the parts and accessories used, click here.)

"It is close, but not yet there"! This pro-user gave up! No matter how he had tried to make it, but in vain! >:-(

http://www.whatblogisthis.com/2012/03/so-close-yet-so-far.html

In short, the two killing major technical problems and design limitations:-

1. Focus peaking is not available during video recording (but then this is essentially a MF cam);

2. Video/HDMI video-out works ONLY in PLAYBACK mode, but NOT in RECORDING mode!

So, the Prime M processor is yet helpless. In fact, my ancient NEX-3 does a better job here, regarding the above.

The New GR is Coming Very Soon

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88LiM3RSVVo

Via: Mirrorless Rumors

Btw, is the reader "Mistral" same guy as the one who regularly visits here? :-)

- Same 16MP APS-C Sensor as K-5II/K-5IIs
- GR V Image Engine
- New GR 18.3mm F2.8 Lens (28mm FF equivalent), 9 Aperture Blades
- GW-3 Added-on Wide Adaptor to 21mm Ultra-wide
- Quick AF and Fast Boot-up
- ISO 25600
- Size Comparable to GR1, World Smallest APS-C DC
- 1080p 30 frames H.264 Video Recording
- Built-in Stereo Microphone
- Built-in Lens Cover
- New Fn (Function) Button
- Support Eye-Fi SD Cards


Related:-

Updated: Countdown to the Upcoming Pentax' New Products' Announcement!

Full Review: K-5 Wi-Fi, Q Wi-Fi and EOS 5D6! ;-)

Yet Another MX-1 Full Review, with Full Size ISO Samples

http://digiphoto.techbang.com/posts/4630-pentax-mx-1-evaluation-renewal-of-classic-retro-wen-qing-is-worth-losing-it?page=2

(in Chinese, Google machine-translated page here.)

A full ISO comparison with full test samples are posted. The reviewer says that the IQ is not good enough starting from ISO800 with the significant loss of details and the appearance of more noise, which is considered not acceptable. It is further concluded that the usable ISO range is of ISO 400 and below. Judging from the samples, I am afraid that the Q actually performs better, frankly.

In fact, I think this review is quite fair and objective. The MX-1 is too large, thick and heavy to handle, especially for a P&S camera. So the user-friendliness of it is just so-so. But then the IQ of it is just average, also.

Last but not least, it is confirmed that full optical zooming is not supported during video recording of Full HD movies.

New Full MX-1 Review at the Pentax Forums

http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-mx-1-review/introduction.html

Fairly detailed.