Pentax K-1 Mark II coming in April

The new Pentax K-1 Mark II, shown with the HD Pentax-D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR lens. (Source: Ricoh Imaging.)

Physically, the ‘full frame’ K-1 Mark II is almost identical to its predecessor. It has the same 36.4-megapixel CMOS sensor and PRIME IV processing engine, which includes AI-based Real-time Scene Analysis. It also effectively compensates for distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberration using data from compatible D FA-, DA-, DA L- and FA-series lenses. Sharpening is also adjustable via Fine Sharpness and Extra Sharpness functions. The sensor sports an AA (anti-aliasing)-filter-free design to optimise image resolving power.  Users can select an AA filter simulator to minimise the effects of moirø© and false colour by using the camera’s SR mechanism to apply tiny vibrations to the image sensor during exposure.

The camera’s SRII Shake Reduction system supports five-axis stabilisation, with  up to five stops of correction available. Other features carried over from the previous model include the SAFOX 12 autofocus mechanism with 33 autofocus points, dual SD card slots (UHS-1 only), 4.4 fps burst speeds for full-frame files (6.4 fps for APS-C crop files) and the Flexible tilt LCD monitor.

Like its predecessor, the Pentax K-1 Mark II is made with a magnesium-alloy body that Ricoh claims is dustproof and weather resistant. It also has the same compact white LED Operation Assist Lights, which make it easy to change lenses, swap memory cards and adjust back-of-camera controls in dimly-lit environments. Also carried over is the Smart Function dial that allows photographers to easy select frequently-used functions without going into the LCD menu. Video recording is limited to full HD with 1920 x 1080 resolution, although 4K resolution is available with a new interval movie mode.

The updates that define the new camera are entirely internal and include a new ‘accelerator unit’ pre-processor, which improves high ISO noise performance and raises the top sensitivity to ISO 819,200. An advanced Pixel Shift Resolution System II, which utilises the capabilities of the SRII   system, enables users to record images with minimal moirø©, increased sharpness and overall high quality. It captures RGB colour with each pixel, delivering what Ricoh describes as ‘significantly finer details and truer colours’. A new Dynamic Pixel Shift mode captures four images in quick succession and combines them, eliminating the effects of camera shake to produce high-resolution photos when the camera is hand-held.

Autofocusing performance has been improved through revised algorithms, which support faster, more precise focusing from the activation of the AF system to the capture of the subject. Tracking AF has also been improved, through the Real-time Scene Analysis System. The K-1 Mark II provides a wide range of customisation settings, designed to expand the functions of the USER Mode and the Fx (function) buttons, improve accessibility to desired functions on the control panel, and prevent accidental operational errors.

Because almost all the improvements in the Mark II are firmware-related, in the North American market, Ricoh Imaging is offering an upgrade program for owners of the original K-1 camera that will allow them to have their camera ‘converted’ into Mark II specifications. The service costs US$500 or CA$690 and requires the circuit board in the camera to be swapped-out and replaced. We don’t know whether this service will be available in Australia but will update this announcement with pricing and other information when it becomes available.

Pentax cameras are distributed in Australia by C.R. Kennedy & Company. For more information, visit https://pentax.com.au/.  

SPECS
Image sensor: 35.9 x 24.0 mm CMOS sensor with 36.77 million photosites (36.4 megapixels effective), RGBG   colour filter, optional anti-aliasing filter
Image processor:  PRIME IV
A/D processing: 14-bit
Lens mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
Focal length crop factor: 1x
Image formats: Stills: JPEG (Exif 2.3), PEF.RAW, DNG.RAW, RAW+JPEG; Movies: MPEG-4 with H.264 compression, Linear PCM audio (stereo)
Image Sizes: Stills ““ 7360 x 4912, 5760 x 3840, 4224 x 2816, 1920 x 1280; APS-C size: 4800 x 3200, 4224 x 2816, 3456 x 2304, 1920 x 1280; Movies: 1920 x 1080 at 60i, 50i, 30p, 25p,24p; 1280 x 720 at 60p, 50p
Image Stabilisation: SR II Sensor-shift (5 stops)
Dust removal: DR II sensor cleaning using ultrasonic vibrations
Shutter / speed range: Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter (electronic shutter with Pixel Shift Resolution) / 30 – 1/8000 second plus Bulb
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5EV in 1/3EV or 1/2EV steps (+/-EV for movies)
Exposure bracketing: +/- 5EV with 2, 3, 5 frames in 1/3EV or 1/2EV steps
Other bracketing options:
Self-timer: 2 or 12 seconds delay
Intervalometer: Yes; Interval Shooting, Interval Composite, Interval Movie Record, Star Stream
Focus system: TTL Phase-matching AF with SAFOX 12 sensor with 33 points (25 cross type in centre)
Focus modes: AF-S, AF-C, Spot, Select, Expanded Area (S, M, L), Zone select, Auto (33 AF points)
Exposure metering:  TTL open-aperture metering using 86K-pixel RGB sensor; Multi-segment, Centre-weighted and Spot metering patterns
Shooting modes: Scene Analyse Auto, Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter & Aperture Priority, Manual, Bulb, Flash X-sync Speed, USER1, USER2, USER3, USER4, USER5
Custom Image modes: Auto Select, Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Flat, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing
Digital Filters:Extract Colour, Replace Colour, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Colour, Unicolour Bold, Bold Monochrome; Pixel Shift Resolution (On/Off); Multi-Exposure
HDR modes: Auto, HDR1, HDR2, HDR3
Custom Functions: 26 items
Colour space options: Adobe RGB, sRGB
ISO range: Auto, ISO 100-819200 (in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)  
White balance: Auto, Multi Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D: Daylight Colour, N:Daylight White, W:Cool White, L:Warm White), Tungsten Light, Flash, CTE, Manual (up to 3 settings), Colour Temperature (up to 3 settings); +/- 7 steps of adjustment on A-B or M-G axis
Flash: External; flashguns only
Flash modes: P-TTL; Modes available depends on external flash mounted; max. synch at 1/200 sec. Red-eye reduction is available
Flash exposure adjustment: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
Sequence shooting: Max. 4.4 frames/sec.  
Buffer capacity: Max. 70 JPEG, 17 RAW
Storage Media: Dual slots for SD, SDHC, SDXC cards (UHS-I compatible)
Viewfinder: Eye-level pentaprism with 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, 20.6mm eyepoint (from the view window), -3.5 to +1.2 dioptre adjustment, fixed Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen
LCD monitor: Tilting 3.2-inch TFT colour   LCD with wide viewing angle, air-gapless glass, 1,036,800 dots,  Brightness, Saturation and Colours adjustable, Outdoor View Setting, Night Vision display
Playback functions:
Interface terminals: USB 2.0, micro-HDMI, stereo microphone and headphone terminals; built in GPS Logging (Logging Interval, Logging Duration, Memory Card Options), GPS Time Sync; electronic compass and Astrotracer available
Wi-Fi function: IEEE 802.11b/g/n
Power supply: D-LI90 rechargeable Li-ion Battery Pack; CIPA rated for approx. 670 shots/charge
Dimensions (wxhxd): 136.5 x 110 x 85.5  mm
Weight: 925 grams (body only)