Ricoh has unveiled what will become Pentax’s first full-frame DSLR camera release, when it starts shipping in the United States in April. The Pentax K-1 houses a 36.4-megapixel 35mm-format CMOS sensor combined with a 14-bit RAW-capable Prime IV imaging engine, which also includes a five-axis shake reduction system and an AA filter simulator that uses microscopic vibrations to provide the same level of moire reduction as a normal optical AA filter.
Offering an ISO range of up to 204,000 and a shutter speed of 1/8000 of a second, the K-1 has a continuous drive of 4.4fps for up to 17 RAW or 70 JPEG images, with DPReview noting it to have a SAFOX 12 autofocus system with 33 AF points. While video is limited to 1080p at up to 60fps, stills photography benefits from a real-time scene analysis system for near-instant adjustments to exposure, color, and movement.
Housed in a dustproof and weather-resistant body, the optical pentaprism viewfinder uses a new design that claims to have 100 percent coverage and a 0.7x magnification. On the back is a 3.2-inch LCD with a tempered glass front panel and a flexible tilting system, with Wi-Fi connectivity also allowing it to be remotely controlled and images transferred using a companion app.
When it goes on sale in April, the Pentax K-1 will cost $1,800 for the body alone.
