Digital SLR Photography

Handling 18/20Easeofuse 18/20Features 19/20Performance 18/20Value 19/20Overall 92/100The PentaxK-1 has a character allofitsown. Its workhorse design and solid buildharks back to the pro modelsofthefi lm era,while inside, it's packed with cutting edgetechnology. This makes it an interestingcamera to get to grips with, as well as anenjoyable camera to use.For most general picture-takingsituations, you'll have no problemsatallcapturing extremely high qualityresults–the AF system locks positively on the subjectwhile the metering and White Balancesystems provereliable and consistent.However, the AF system does lag behindrivals in a coupleofareas. In single-shotmode, there is a very brief but noticeabledelay before the AF kicks in. Also, thecontinuous AF isn't as accurateattracking asrival systems, so sports and wildlifephotographers may want to have a coupleoftest runs (or waitfor afi rmware update)before committing to buy. Secondly, theLiveView AF is a touch lessresponsive too,although this isn't such a major issue.Image quality from the sensor is superb,especially if you shoot in Raw. While JPEGsdeliver good detail, Rawfi les providesignificantly better quality, with high levelsofsharpness and an extremely wide dynamicrange. And while we only had time to brieflytest the Pixel Shift option, our early trialsshows it works to provide even betterresults.Wetested theK-1 with a premiumpairofzooms (24-70mm f/2.8 and70-200mm f/2.8), whichreally helps toreveal what the sensor has the potential toproduce. It's certainly capableofthe highestqualityresults, but as with other high-resolution sensors, you need to ensurefocusing is precise and shutter speeds highenough toavoid any riskofyour imageslacking maximum sharpness.``````Pentaxhaskeptitsfanswaitingforafull-frameDSLRand,inmostareas,theK-1doesn'tdisappoint.It'sasruggedastheycomeandboastsawiderangeoffeatures,aswellassomecleverinnovations.Itssensorisitsbiggestattractionandthankfullyitdoesn'tdisappoint.Withacompetitivepricetag,it'ssuretogainadmirersfromoutsidethePentaxcommunity,aswellasfromwithin.VERDICTCLOSESTRIVALS- NIKOND810:Amodernclassicthathasprovenpopularwithenthusiastsandprosalike.Boastsafull-frame36.3-megapixelsensorandimpressivedynamicrange.TheNikonisastrongrival tothePentaxbutpricierataround£2,400.- SONYALPHA7II:Thismirrorlessmarvelisapopularchoiceforshootingstillsandmoviesandboastsa24.3-megapixelfull-framesensor,FullHDvideoandbody-integralstabilisation.Itcostsaround£1,350body-only.- NIKOND610:At£1,300,theD610isalittlemoreaffordablethanthePentax.Itsportsafull-framesensor,24.3-megapixelresolution,FullHDvideoanddualSDcardslots.- CANONEOS6D:LiketheNikonD610,this20.2-megapixelfull-framemodelhasamorecompactdesign,morebasicspecificationandlowerprice(£1,250body-only).Nove mber2016Digital SLR Photography 105Exposure:1/8000secatf/2.8(ISO400)``````Exposure:1/1600secatf/4(ISO400)``````LENSESFORTHEK-1You'vadecent,butnotextensive,choiceofnew'full-frame'opticsfortheK-1.ThecurrentPentaxrangehas12PENTAX-DFA-serieslensesthatmakeuseofthefull-framesensor.DAlensesdesignedforitsAPS-Ccamerascanstillbeused,butthecamerawilluseacropped15-megapixelareaofthesensor.Thereareafewexceptionsthatallowforfull-frameshootingwithrestrictions–checkthePentaxwebsite fordetails.Bestnewsisthatallbutaminorityofle nsesmadeforPentax's35mmSLRscanbeusedontheK-1,meaningthereareupwardsof150lenses–mostavailableusedforlowprices–thataresuitable.Plus,withanadaptor,lensesforthe645systemworktoo!