Thread: The Pentax K-01: A Review from the Field

Originally Posted by Biro

So Paul... This is six months later and the K-01 body is now available for under $350. At this price point, what would you say about the K-01?

At this price point, I would say K-01's days are numbered and that perhaps Pentax/Ricoh are getting ready to jettison the camera from it's lineup or replace it with a Mark II version (I could be wrong of course, it happens frequently. . . so my family tells me). With that said though, this is an incredible price for a camera that is about 75-80% of what the Pentax K-05 is (the older body, not the new Mark II ones). So, if you can live without an optical finder (and stick with the LCD) and you don't mind the slower focusing speed, this might be a great deal for someone who has been wanting a K-05 but may not have wanted a SLR body.

Paul

Perhaps a Mk2 with an optional high-res EVF? And an update to the GXR EVF...

Originally Posted by Andrewteee

Perhaps a Mk2 with an optional high-res EVF? And an update to the GXR EVF...

This would be a nice upgrade (in addition to addressing some other speed issues) for the K-01 but it depends what Pentax really wants to do with this camera (or Ricoh with the GXR for that matter). With Ricoh layoffs on the horizon (part of a restructuring), I think we may see (hopefully) some new products (or updates) that merge the Pentax and Ricoh lines a bit. If I was Ricoh/Pentax though (and I'm just saying here), I would dump the Pentax Q and the Pentax K-01 and focus on a new GXR body and Pentax A16 mount (compatible with all Pentax lens) with auto-focus, peeking, etc. (perhaps even re-badging the thing as a Pentax if that will twirl everyone's propellers on the Ricoh/Pentax board of directors who approved the purchase of Pentax in the first place).

I think Ricoh is still trying to figure out what Pentax means to them and I think we have now seen all of the releases of "in-the-pipeline" products from Pentax that where in development before the Ricoh buy-out happened. What happens now is anyone's guess.

Oh, and I want a Ricoh GRD5 next year with the same Sony 1" sensor that is in the Sony RX100.

Paul

There's something about the K-01 that's very appealing and I find despite owning two other cameras (X Pro 1 and and EM5) it's the one I reach for the most and get the most pleasure from using. Just the right size in the hand and produces the goods in the IQ department. I bought one and sold it and then bought another. I've even had it on and off Amazon for sale but when it came down to it, I couldn't let it go! Optional EVF would be nice and speedier AF but apart from that it just works for me :) I would hate to see all that Ricoh have achieved die out and trust that Pentax must have seen much to gain from the buy out so who knows.