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K I

The K-1 assures the highest level of resolving power and sensitivity

35mm full-frame CMOS image sensor  Exceptional imaging power assured by a large-format sensor

The K-1 incorporates a newly developed 35mm full-frame CMOS image sensor, one that assures the highest image quality to be found in the K-mount SLR series. Thanks to its large imaging area and wide pixel pitch, this high-pixel sensor delivers lively, true-to-life images with rich gradation and minimal noise. Its shallow depth of field allows you to control the sense of depth and bokeh (defocused) effect at will.

Approximately 36.4 effective megapixels Exceptional resolving power supported by a high-resolution, AA-filter-free design

Thanks to its approximately 36.4 effective megapixels, the K-1 delivers breathtaking, true-to-life images—the kind that will seize the viewer’s imagination. Its exceptional resolving power captures each leaf of a distant tree or every drop of a spray in the finest detail. Since it provides image data large enough to produce a brilliant A2-size print (at 300dpi), the photographer is assured of great flexibility in image composition, either by cropping the image during shooting, or trimming the captured image during processing. By processing large volumes of data with its 14-bit image-processing system, the K-1 delivers beautiful, rich-gradation images.

AA-filter-free design, to optimize resolving power

An optical AA (anti-aliasing) filter will affect the camera’s image resolving power, even though it will help reduce moiré and false color. The K-1 incorporates an AA-filter-free design to optimize the image resolving power of its high-pixel image sensor.

PRIME IV  A new imaging engine optimized for a 35mm full-frame image circle

The K-1 features a newly designed PRIME IV imaging engine. Compared with the previous PRIME III version, it is fine-tuned to process higher-resolution images, while boosting the operating frequency by nearly 50 percent. Its noise-processing algorithm has also been upgraded to capture beautiful, fine-gradation images at higher sensitivities. A combination of an advanced scene analysis system and new image-processing functions helps improve the accuracy and reliability of image reproduction.

PRIME Ⅳ

ISO 204800  A combination of super-high sensitivity and exceptional image resolution

By taking full advantage of the image sensor excelled in noise-resistance performance and the PRIME IV imaging engine, the K-1 provides a top sensitivity of ISO 204800 (at standard output sensitivity). This not only delivers high-resolution images free of tone jumps and graininess at high-sensitivity settings, but also improves image quality in the low-sensitivity range. Since the K-1 allows you to raise the sensitivity level to capture images equal in image quality to those taken at lower sensitivities, it expands the boundaries of photographic expression.

ISO 102400

Pixel Shift Resolution System
Reproduction of true-to-life, super-high-resolution images beyond actual pixels

Reinforced with the SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, the K-1’s Pixel Shift Resolution System* captures four images of the same scene by shifting the image sensor by a single pixel for each image, then synthesizes them into a single, super-high-resolution composite image. Compared to the conventional Bayer system, this innovative system obtains all RGB color data in each pixel to deliver beautiful images with far more truthful colors and much finer details, without any hint of false color. This system also reduces high-sensitivity noise to a minimum. The difference in image quality is evident at a glance, even without magnifying the captured image on a computer screen or producing a large-size print. Images captured by the Pixel Shift Resolution System can be saved as RAW-format files. You can developed these files within the camera body while adjusting various parameters or turning the Pixel Shift Resolution effect on and off to create a new image.

  • When using this system, the user is advised to stabilize the camera firmly on a tripod during shooting by setting the drive mode to self-timer or remote control, or using the mirror lock-up function.
  • When the subject is on the move or camera shake occurs, the desired effect may not be obtained.

  • Pixel Shift Resolution
  • Normal shot

Pixel Shift Resolution

[Color information obtained]

By taking four shots sequentially, each pixel obtains color and brightness information of every RGB.

*High resolution and many gradations are achieved because the image is generated using color and brightness information with high resolving power.

*False color and color moiré are not generated because pixel interpolation is not done.

Normal shot

[Color information obtained]

For each pixel, brightness information is obtained for one color only.

Due to color filter RGB proportions, the resolution for each color is 1/2 for green and 1/4 for R and B.

[Demosaic processing]

Estimate the deficient pixels by referring the neighbor pixel and outline information (pixel interpolation).

When there are instances where the estimated color and actual color differ, the result is false color and color moiré.

*Images are for representation purpose only.

Motion Correction function 

When shooting an image with the Pixel Shift Resolution System, the K-1 provides a new Motion Correction function. When this function is activated, the camera automatically detects the amount of subject motion during continuous shooting and minimizes negative effects during the synthesizing process.*

* The movement may not be sufficiently corrected when the subject is moving in certain directions and/or patterns. This function does not guarantee that the movement will be properly corrected for all subjects.

AA filter simulator
State-of-the-art mechanism to optically minimize moiré and false color

By using the camera’s SR mechanism to apply microscopic vibrations to the image sensor, the PENTAX-original AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator* effectively minimizes moiré and false color along the image’s edges, which are common problems when shooting subjects with minute patterns. The K-1 allows you to faithfully reproduce your creative intention on a captured image, either by simulating the AA-filter effect for well-balanced images or by opting for the AA-filter-free mode for greater resolving power.

  • This function works most effectively with a shutter speed of 1/1000 second or slower.
  • This function may not be combined with some shooting modes.

■ Principle of optical AA filter

  • Light
  • Color filter
  • AA filter

■ Principle of AA filter simulator

Microscopic vibrations applied at sub-pixel level

Diffraction Correction
Minimizing diffraction blur at small apertures

This function compensates for the drop in resolving power caused by the diffraction during image processing. Based on obtained image data, it provides an exposure compensation of up to approximately two aperture steps,* making it useful for such subjects as landscapes, which requires you to close down the aperture to widen a depth of field without compromising the resolving power.

  • Measured under RICOH IMAGING in-house testing standards. This function can be used with D FA-, DA-, DA L-, and FA-series lenses, with an exception of some incompatible lenses.

Diffraction Correction:OFF

Diffraction Correction:ON

Lens Aberration Correction and Fringe Compensation* High-quality image reproduction across the image field, with effective compensation of aberrations

The K-1 effectively compensates for the distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberration caused by specific lens properties, and captures high-quality images with edge-to-edge sharpness. It even compensates for the fringe effect during RAW-data development.

  • Available in combination with D FA-, DA-, DA L- and FA-series lenses. However, some of these lenses may not be compatible with these functions.

Fine Sharpness and Extra Sharpness Sharpness-enhancing tools to greatly improve the image rendition of high-pixel photography

No matter how many pixels and how much resolving power an image sensor may provide, the captured image can appear as a low-resolution image if the subject is outlined with thick lines. The K-1’s Fine Sharpness function outlines the subject with thinner, more natural lines than those created by normal processing to produce a high-quality, fine-detailed image. It allows you to create a fine piece of art, with a true-to-life description of the subject. The K-1 also provides an Extra Sharpness function, which emphasizes the subject’s outline more prominently with much finer lines, making it particularly useful for enhancing the outline of a low-contrast subject.

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