The K-1 overcomes challenging field conditions, such as poor weather, darkness and freezing temperatures.
Shake reduction along five axis
- Pitch and yaw
- Roll
- Horizontal and vertical shift
Shake reduction along five axis
The PENTAX-original sensor-shift-type shake reduction mechanism has been upgraded to provide optimum compensation for all lenses used in handheld shooting. The new-generation SR II (Shake Reduction II) features a five-axis mechanism to compensate for camera shake caused by horizontal and vertical shift** (often generated in macro photography) and camera shake caused by roll, which is difficult to handle by lens-installed shake reduction mechanisms, in addition to more common camera shake caused by pitch and yaw. The SR II unit is controlled with great precision as soon as the camera’s power is turned on, and provides a wide compensation range — as much as five shutter steps*** — to expand the limits of handheld shooting.
When taking a panning shot, this mechanism efficiently controls the SR unit to detect only the direction of the camera’s movement, while compensating for all other affecting vectors. Because of this, the K-1 captures beautiful, high-resolution images both in normal shooting and panning photography, without requiring any switching operation.
SR:OFF
SR:ON
SR:OFF
SR:ON
Four Operation Assist Lights are strategically positioned around the camera body: at the upper side of the lens mount, behind the LCD monitor, at the memory card slot, and at the cable switch terminal. With a push of the illumination button, you can turn them on* to facilitate lens and memory card changes, control button operations, and attachment and removal of a cable switch, for more efficient, comfortable shooting of nighttime outdoor scenes and poorly lit indoor subjects.
Above lens mount
Above LCD monitor
At memory card slot
At cable switch terminal
An illumination level of –3EV makes it difficult to see a subject with the naked eye, and almost impossible to make accurate focus with manual focusing. Even under such low-illumination conditions, the K-1 assures high-precision auto-exposure and autofocus operations.* Thanks to its upgraded algorithm, its autofocus response time for poorly illuminated subjects is greatly reduced. Coupled with its super-high-resolution imaging power, the K-1 delivers exceptional shooting performance in dark locations.
With a single push of a button, the K-1’s new Outdoor View Setting mode displays five brightness settings on its LCD monitor, allowing you to easily and quickly set the desired brightness level for a given location — brightening the monitor under dazzling sunshine or darkening it under starlit skies.
Outdoor View Setting:-2
Outdoor View Setting:+2
A combination of the K-1’s 87 sealing parts and the optional D-BG6 Battery Grip’s watertight body prevents the intrusion of water and dust into their interior. When an AW- or WR-series lens is mounted,* the K-1 and its lens forms a remarkable digital imaging system totally resistant to demanding environmental factors.
Anticipating use in cold locations, PENTAX has subjected the K-1 to exacting environmental tests at temperatures as low as –10°C, and gathered a vast array of data on operational precision, response and stability of mechanisms and circuits, as well as fluctuations in battery voltage.* As the result, the K-1 assures solid, trouble-free operation even at freezing temperatures.
Using its piezoelectric element, this innovative mechanism applies ultrasonic vibrations to the optical glass panel placed in front of the image sensor. This effectively removes all dust particles clinging to the image sensor surface, and prevents annoying dust spots from appearing on a captured image.
The K-1’s exterior casing is made of highly rigid, lightweight magnesium alloy, which provides excellent shock-resistance and electromagnetic shielding performance. By coupling it with a high-rigidity metallic chassis housing the core components, the K-1 forms a compound structure to assure outstanding durability and exceptional reliability.
After a series of exacting performance tests, the K-1’s shutter unit has proven its exceptional durability by withstanding a total of 300,000 shutter releases. It assures outstanding operational precision and exceptional durability required for exacting professional work.