Imaging Power

AA-filter-free design APS-C-size CMOS image sensor with 24.24 effective megapixels

High-performance image sensor unit for fine-detailed images

The PENTAX KF’s AA-filter-free design optimizes the resolving power of the approximately 24.24 effective megapixels provided by the high-resolution APS-C-size CMOS image sensor, while assuring high-speed readout of rich-gradation, 14-bit image data.

Top sensitivity of ISO 102400

Super-high-sensitivity photography and remarkable imaging power

The PENTAX KF features an accelerator unit, which has been designed to optimize the high-performance noise-processing technology. In combination with the PRIME MII image engine, this unit effectively reduces noise to minimum, even during super-high sensitivity shooting at ISO 102400 (standard output sensitivity). This combination not only improves image quality at more commonly used sensitivities, but also delivers beautifully depicted images at higher sensitivities by minimizing graininess. As the result, it expands the boundaries of low-illumination photography.

ISO 12800

In-body SR mechanism

Effective shake reduction with all lenses, assuring optimum compensation effects

The PENTAX KF features the PENTAX-original, in-body SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism with a compensation effect of 4.5 shutter steps.* It works effectively with all PENTAX interchangeable lenses – from wide-angle to telephoto models – and minimize camera shake in camera-shake-prone conditions, such as when shooting low-light scenes using natural light only or when using a telephoto lens. It also comes in handy with panning shots, since it automatically detects the direction of the camera’s movement with a gyro sensor, and efficiently controls the SR unit to produce the best possible image. Simply by keeping the SR mode turned on, you can effortlessly minimize camera shake with both normal images and panning shots.

* Measured in conformity with CIPA testing standards (using the smc PENTAX-DA 18-135mmF3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] DC WR lens, at a focal length of 135mm)

Pixel Shift Resolution System

Optimizing the potential of the high-pixel image sensor to capture super-high-resolution images

By taking advantage of the SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, this innovative system* captures four images of the same scene by shifting the image sensor by a single pixel for each image, then synthesizing them into a single composite image. It obtains all RGB color data in each pixel to deliver super-high-resolution images with a far more truthful colors and much finer details than those captured by normal shooting processes. When the Motion Correction function** is activated, it automatically detects a moving object during continuous shooting and minimizes negative effects during the synthesizing process. The images captured by this system can be saved as RAW-format files.

* When using this system, we advise stabilizing the camera firmly on a tripod. The user is also advised to use the self-timer setting of the drive mode, a remote-control function, or a mirror lock-up function.
* This system may not produce the desired effect when the subject is on the move or the camera is shaken.
** This system may not correct certain types of subject movement. It does not guarantee that movement is properly corrected for all subjects. The function can be turned off when desired.

Pixel Shift Resolution

Obtained color data

The camera takes four images of the scene, and obtain the RGB color data and brightness data for each pixel.

R:24M

G:24M×2

B:24M

High-resolution, rich -gradation images are created from highly resolvable color and brightness data.

No chromatic moiré (false color) is generated because of no pixel interpolation takes place.

Normal shooting

Obtained color data

Single-color data is obtained for each pixel.

R:6M

G:6M×2

B:6M

Based on the RGB composition ratio, the resolution of each color becomes 1/4 for R and B, and 1/2 for G.

De-mosaic process

The system interpolates for missing pixels by referring to neighboring pixels and/or outlines.

When the color of the interpolated pixel differs from the acutual one, chromatic moiré (false color) is generated in the pixels.

AA-filter simulator

State-of-the-art function to minimize moiré and false colors

The PENTAX KF features an AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator,* which effectively minimizes the moiré patterns often generated on subjects with fine, repetitive patterns, and the false colors commonly generated at the edges of high-contrast images. With the help of the SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, this simulator applies microscopic vibrations to the image sensor unit at the sub-pixel level during image exposure to minimize these adverse effects. It lets you choose the desired balance between the filtering effect of the AA simulator and the higher resolving power of an AA-filter-free design, based on your creative intentions.

* This simulator may not work with some shooting modes, or with certain functions.
* This simulator works most effectively with a shutter speed of 1/1000 second or slower.

White balance control

In addition to AUTO WB, which is designed to reproduce white without any color shift under all light sources, the PENTAX KF provides 13 more preset White Balance modes, including Multi Auto WB and CTE.

White Balance Modes

AUTO WB, Multi Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (Daylight Color), Fluorescent Light (Daylight White), Fluorescent Light (Cool White), Fluorescent Light (Warm White), Tungsten Light, CTE (Color Temperature Enhancement), Manual WB, Color Temperature Configuration, Copying the white balance setting of a capture image

CTE Color Temperature Enhancement

For faithful reproduction of the colors of your memory

In contrast to the AUTO WB (AWB) mode, which works to minimize the influence of light sources on color reproduction, the CTE mode automatically sets the white balance to optimize their influence, allowing you to express such subjects as sunrise and sunset scenes and fresh green leaves in dramatic tones close to memory colors.

Custom Image

For flexible expression of the desired tone and shade for each subject

The PENTAX KF provides a selection of 14 Custom Image modes,* which can be applied to your image to produce the desired finishing touch. You can develop a captured imaged using the default settings, or adjust various parameters including saturation, shade, key, contrast and sharpness. Parameter adjustment of a captured image can be performed at any sensitivity setting without compromising the original image. Based on the default Custom Image settings, you can freely adjust parameters to apply the desired finishing touch to your image.

* The Custom Image mode is fixed to Auto Select when the camera’s exposure mode is set to AUTO.
* Adjustable parameters may vary depending on the selected Custom Image mode.

Custom Image modes

For more details

▶ Custom Image modes and function ▶ Minute parameter settings

Special-edition Custom Image modes

The special-edition Custom Image modes are highly unique, creative imaging tools that allows you to capture attractive images with distinctive themes. Each special-edition mode is partnered with particular lenses for optimum visual effects.

Special-edition Custom Image modes

▶For more details

Scene Mode

The PENTAX KF provides 19 distinctive Scene Modes. As soon as you choose one of them, the camera will automatically optimizes the settings for you.

Scene Modes:
Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR, Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum

HDR High Dynamic Range

Faithful reproduction of highlights and shadows

The HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode* synthesizes a single, rich-gradation image from three separate images taken at different exposure levels. It delivers an image similar to the one seen by the naked eye, by minimizing whitewashed highlights and pitch-black shadows even in extreme high-contrast scenes. It also lets you set a range of exposure shifts or use the Automatic Position Adjustment function.** You can also choose the Advanced HDR (A-HDR) mode, which creates a dramatic photographic expression by adopting the technologies used in the Clarity control function.

* The HDR mode cannot be used in some shooting modes, and is not compatible with some functions.
** The Automatic Position Adjustment function is fixed at the OFF mode when the Interval or Interval Movie shooting mode is selected. It may not be possible to use this function in all cases, depending on the subject’s status and pattern, and/or the angle of view and focal length of the lens used.

HDR modes

Fine Sharpness and Extra Sharpness

Sharpness-enhancing tools to improve the image rendition of photographic works

A sharpness-enhancing process using thick outlines often spoils the image’s resolution. That’s why PENTAX KF provides a pair of more advanced sharpness-enhancing functions. The 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. The Extra Sharpness function emphasizes the subject’s outline more prominently with much finer lines, making it particularly useful for enhancing the outline of a low-contrast subject.

Clarity control and Skin Tone correction

For effortless control of the subject’s texture

The Clarity control function is an image-processing tool useful in expressing the luster of metal or the clarity of the sky or water. It allows you to adjust the smoothness of the subject’s surface and express desired texture or clearness at nine levels (between -4 and +4 settings). The Skin Tone correction function* helps you reproduce the subject’s face with soft skin texture and healthy skin tone, while retaining a high-resolution description of the subject’s hair and outfit and the background. It provides a choice of two modes: Type 1 for the compensation of color and brightness only, and Type 2 for additional control of skin tone.

* The Skin Tone correction function makes compensation only when the camera detects a face in the image.

An array of lens compensation functions

High-quality images assured, even at the edge of the image field

The PENTAX KF effectively compensates distortion, vignetting and lateral chromatic aberration of magnification caused by particular characteristics of a lens to deliver sharp, high-contrast images, even at the edges. During RAW-data development, it can even compensate the fringe effect.

Diffraction compensation

Diffraction blur minimized at closed-down apertures

This function compensates the deterioration in the camera’s resolving power that is caused by diffraction phenomena. By properly using lens information to process image data, it compensates the diffraction blur effect by as much as approximately two aperture stops.* This function comes in handy in scenic photography, when you want to close the aperture down to increase the depth of field without compromising the resolving power.

* Measured under RICOH IMAGING in-house testing standards.
* Compatible with D FA-, DA-, DA L-, and FA-series lenses. (Some FA-series lenses are incompatible with this function.)