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K I

Optical viewfinder and customization A well-defined view of the subject and intuitive operation to focus on the subject

HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mmF4.5-5.6ED DC AW
Aperture : F6.3 ; Shutter speed : 1/800 sec. ; Exposure compensation : 0.0EV ; Sensitivity : ISO 100 ; White balance : Color temperature assigned ; Custom image : Bright

Optical viewfinder with a nearly100% field of view Assuring a clear view of the field and ease of focus

The K-1’s optical viewfinder provides a nearly 100-percent field of view and a 0.7-times magnification to deliver a sharp, crisp view of the subject and a large, well-defined image field, both of which are the benefits of the 35mm full-frame SLR camera. This viewfinder also provides a clear view of the image field free of aberrations, even at the edges. Its Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen* makes it easy to identify the in-focus point, even during manual-focus operation

  • The focusing screen is fixed on the camera body, and is not interchangeable.

  • Transparent LCD

Transparent viewfinder display  At-a-glance confirmation of the camera’s operational status

The K-1’s transparent LCD viewfinder display allows you to select desired data, such as a grid display, and monitor it in the viewfinder. It comes in handy when correcting the camera’s tilt using the digital level or rearranging the image composition using a grid pattern, without taking the eye off the subject.

Digital Level

The Digital Level displays the K-1’s horizontal and vertical tilt with two bar scales. Compared with the conventional type that utilizes an exposure bar scale, it not only makes it easier to identify the camera’s tilt, but also allows you to check the tilt and exposure status simultaneously. As the result, it greatly improves the camera’s operability during viewfinder shooting.

Selection of data on viewfinder display

Transparent data to be displayed in the viewfinder (grid pattern, Digital Level, AF frame and spot-metering frame) can be turned on and off independently to accommodate varying shooting conditions and preferred shooting styles.

  • All viewfinder display data, except the cropping frame, is simulated to explain the function.

All APS-C-format, K-mount interchangeable lenses are usable on the K-1

From ultra-wide angle to super telephoto, an entire selection of high-performance DA-series lenses can be used on the K-1 without any modification. They deliver exceptional image quality, despite their compact, lightweight design.

PENTAX K-mount Lenses

DA / DA Limited / DA Lenses

Fish-eye zoom smc PENTAX-DA FISH-EYE10-17mmF3.5-4.5ED[IF]
Ultra-wide-angle zoom smc PENTAX-DA 12-24mmF4ED AL[IF]
Standard zoom smc PENTAX-DA★16-50mm F2.8ED AL[IF] SDM
HD PENTAX-DA 16-85mmF3.5-5.6ED DC WR
smc PENTAX-DA 17-70mmF4AL[IF] SDM
HD PENTAX-DA 18-50mmF4-5.6 DC WR RE
smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mmF3.5-5.6AL WR 
HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mmF2.8-4ED Limited DC WR
Telephoto zoom smc PENTAX-DA★50-135mmF2.8ED[IF] SDM
smc PENTAX-DA 50-200mmF4-5.6ED WR
HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4-5.8ED WR
smc PENTAX-DA★60-250mmF4ED[IF] SDM
High-magnification zoom smc PENTAX-DA 18-135mmF3.5-5.6ED AL[IF] DC WR
smc PENTAX-DA 18-270mmF3.5-6.3ED SDM
Ultra-wide-angle smc PENTAX-DA 14mmF2.8ED[IF]
HD PENTAX-DA 15mmF4ED AL Limited
Wide-angle HD PENTAX-DA 21mmF3.2AL Limited
Standard smc PENTAX-DA 35mmF2.4AL
Medium telephoto HD PENTAX-DA 40mmF2.8 Limited
smc PENTAX-DA 40mmF2.8 XS
Telephoto smc PENTAX-DA 50mmF1.8
smc PENTAX-DA★55mmF1.4 SDM
HD PENTAX-DA 70mmF2.4 Limited
smc PENTAX-DA★200mmF2.8ED[IF] SDM
smc PENTAX-DA★300mmF4ED[IF] SDM
Super-telephoto HD PENTAX-DA 560mmF5.6ED AW
Standard/Macro HD PENTAX-DA 35mmF2.8 Macro Limited
  • The lens categories are classified in the Crop mode.

Crop mode Automatic switching of an image area with attachment of a lens

When a DA-, DA Limited- or DA-series lens is mounted on the K-1, its Crop mode automatically switches an image area to the APS-C size covering the middle section of the image field, while displaying the cropping frame in the viewfinder. It not only assures high-resolution images with approximately 15.36 effective megapixels, but also provides an efficient AF sensor coverage of the image area for more flexible image composition during autofocus operation. When you select the FF (Full Frame) setting of the Crop mode, you can even capture a 35mm full-frame image with a DA-series lens.*


  • With certain lenses and/or under certain photographic conditions, a captured image may suffer a drastic drop in brightness and/or resolution in the areas outside the APS-C image area. This setting does not provide compensation of various lens aberrations.

Viewfinder display in the Crop mode (APS-C image area)

  • Cropping frame
  • This image displays all AF sensors for an explanatory purpose.

Lens aberration-compensated DA-series lenses usable in the 35mm full-frame frame

The following DA-series lenses cover the 35mm full-frame image area. When the Crop mode is set to FF (Full Frame), the K-1’s lens aberration compensation function is extended to cover certain aberrations, such as diffraction, in the 35mm full-frame image area.

■ smc PENTAX-DA★ 200mmF2.8ED [IF] SDM
■ smc PENTAX-DA★ 300mmF4ED [IF] SDM
■ HD PENTAX-DA 560mmF5.6ED AW

  • Please note that this function does not guarantee the quality of image outside the APS-C image area.

Customization Creating your personal K-1 by customizing camera operations to your preference

The K-1 provides a wide range of customization settings to optimize the ease and comfort of camera operations. These settings have been 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.

USER Mode

Five different combinations of the most frequently used functions can be assigned to this mode to handle specific subjects or creative intentions.

Control panel 

This panel displays a list of the functions and their status on the LCD panel, while allowing you to change the contents and/or order of listed functions to suit your shooting style.

Lock button 

In order to prevent accidental setting changes, the K-1 provides a lock button to temporarily inactivate control buttons and dials. It offers you a choice of two lock functions: Type 1 to prevent unintended exposure setting changes; and Type 2 to prevent operational setting changes.

Type Lockable buttons and dials
Type1

Type2

Customization buttons

  • Fx1 button

    One function from seven options can be assigned (default: RAW)

  • Fx2 button 

    Another function from seven options can be assigned (default: Outdoor View Setting)

  • AF button

    One of the functions governing AF operation can be assigned.

  • Preview lever

    An optical or digital preview mode can be assigned.

  • E-dial

    A set of exposure mode can be assigned.

Custom Functions

A total of 26 Custom Functions are available with the K-1.

Compact, solid body Remarkable maneuverability, despite the 35mm full-frame design

The K-1 inherits PENTAX’s development concept of a compact body and ease of handling in the field. PENTAX has completely restructured the mechanical unit containing the shutter charge and mirror driving mechanisms, while repositioning the finder unit to keep the camera’s height to a minimum. PENTAX’s advanced high-density packaging technology has succeeded in creating a compact, maneuverable body for the new K-1.

Front)PENTAX APS-C-size SLR camera
Back)PENTAX 35mm full-frame SLR camera (K-1)

Floating Mirror Structure 

In order to accommodate the 35mm full-frame image sensor and cover the light flux of the large viewfinder with a nearly 100-percent field of view, it was necessary to increase the size of the main mirror and mirror box. To minimize the size of the mirror box, PENTAX has developed a new mechanism that retracts the main mirror as it swings upwards.

  • Lens mount
  • Shutter window
  • Action of the main mirror
  • Action of the main mirror without the Floating Mirror Structure (the mirror bumps against the lens mount.)
  • The main mirror and its pivot retract at mirror-up position.

Conceptual image of the Floating Mirror Structure

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