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The Pentax K-1 Mark II is a supremely weather-sealed, tough-built full-frame camera with a 36MP stabilized sensor. Billed as more a refinement of its predecessor than a replacement, the K-1 II gains a new hand-held Pixel Shift mode and sees improvements made to its AF Tracking algorithm – it also has a new pre-processor. Unfortunately, our testing reveals this additional processor applies full-time noise reduction to Raw files resulting in inferior image quality to that of its predecessor.
Key features:
- 36.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor with no anti-aliasing filter
- 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization
- 100% pentaprism viewfinder with 0.70x magnification
- 33-point AF system (25 cross-type)
- Updated AF Tracking algorithm
- New hand-held Pixel Shift mode
- Extensive weather-sealing
- 1/200 sec flash sync speed
- 14-bit Raw recording (DNG or PEF)
- Built-in GPS with electro-magnetic compass and Astrotracer function
- 4.4 fps continuous shooting (6.5 fps in APS-C crop mode)
- 1080/30p video
- Wi-Fi
The K-1 II faces stiff competition from other full frame models at this price point, many of which out-spec it across the board. But for landscape and adventure shooters, you’d be hard-pressed to find a full frame camera with as many useful and unique features, like built-in GPS, an Astrotracer mode for night sky photography, sensor shift technology, and LED lights on the body (to assist in the dark).
Over the course of several weeks, we’ve put the K-1 II through its paces in both the field and in our test lab. Read on to see how it performed and how it stacks up as a whole against the competition.
What’s new and how it compares
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Here’s what’s new in the K-1 II plus how it compares to existing models from other companies. Read more |
Body and design
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The K-1 II has a host of unique body features borrowed from its predecessor including its clever articulating LCD mechanism. Read more |
What’s it like to use
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From landscapes to portraits, we’ve spent plenty of time shooting with the K-1 II in several different situations. Read more |
Image Quality
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Our lab testing reveals the K-1 II’s image quality is actually a step back from that of its predecessor. Will you notice the difference? Read more |
Autofocus
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The K-1 II’s 33-point AF system may have limited coverage, but it shows improvements over its predecessor when it comes to tracking. Read more |
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)