Even when photographing the same subject, the resulting image may seem completely different if the size of the image sensor changes. The most prominent feature of a 35mm full-frame SLR camera is its exceptional image quality and outstanding imaging power. Equipped with an image sensor with an excellent pixel count, S/N ratio and dynamic range balance, the PENTAX K-1 series delivers the best image quality in the history of PENTAX’s K-mount series.
A shallow depth of field creates a true-to-life sense of depth.
When taking a picture using cameras set at the same angle of view and f-stop, but equipped with image sensors of different sizes, the larger image sensor will narrow down the depth of field. The difference between an APS-C-size sensor and a 35mm full-frame sensor is evident at a glance, as the full-frame sensor makes the subject stand out with a more natural transition of the bokeh (defocus) effect, which is created in the foreground and background of the in-focus subject. As the result, it expresses the sense of depth more accurately and clearly in the captured image.
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The exceptional resolving power depicts even the finest detail undetectable by the human eye.
In principle, the larger the image sensor, the higher the resolving power. Since a 35mm full-frame image sensor has a large number of pixels without any reduction in the light-receiving area of each pixel, it improves the camera’s resolving power. PENTAX’s 35mm full-frame SLR camera boasts approximately 36.4 effective megapixels and an anti-aliasing-filter-free optical design. Coupled with state-of-the-art D FA-series lenses, which provide outstanding optical performance, it delivers exceptionally high resolving power.
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True-to-life, high-resolution images are assured even in high-sensitivity shooting.
No matter how much resolving power a camera may provide, this becomes meaningless if the resulting image suffers from too much noise. One benefit of a 35mm full-frame image sensor is that it provides sufficient pixel pitch, even when the number of pixels is increased. By expanding the light-receiving area of each pixel, it obtains a large volume of image data with very little noise. Another benefit is that it improves image quality in the low-sensitivity range, while preserving contrast and resolution in shadow areas during high-sensitivity shooting. Of all the full-frame sensors, the PENTAX K-1’s high-pixel image sensor assures top-quality images with minimal noise, so they can be easily enlarged to large-size prints without compromising image quality.
The new PENTAX K-1 Mark II also incorporates an original accelerator unit to produce high-quality images with minimal noise, while retaining excellent resolution at all sensitivity levels, from normal to super-high sensitivities. PENTAX has also drastically improved the camera’s noise-reduction performance in the high-sensitivity range — up to ISO 819200 (standard output sensitivity) — to expand creative possibilities in super-high-sensitivity shooting.
A fine-gradation image faithfully expresses the subtle nuances of light and color.
Reproducibility of gradation greatly affects the overall impression of an image. For digital cameras, the greater the dynamic range, the less prominent white-washed highlights and pitch-black shadows become. This means the camera can subtly depict the world of light and shadow in beautiful, rich-gradation images. The best way to expand the dynamic range is to make each pixel receive sufficient light by widening the pixel pitch. Since a 35mm full-frame image sensor makes it easy to provide sufficient pixel pitch for the given number of pixels, it assures excellent gradation reproduction. Also, by processing an image with a large 14-bit gradation range, it perfectly captures the beauty of light and color.