K-01 user feedback

I'm surprised that there has yet to be any feedback from any early adopters here at PUF. By this time in a Pentax product's life a lively discussion on its merits and demerits would usually be well established here. Is the lack of discussion of the K-01 an indication that the doubters were right?

Given that I would prefer to use my Pentax glass (small Ltd's in particular) fully functional - ie. without having to resort to an adapter - I really want to like the K-01, as a slightly smaller, more discrete (other than the yellow) alternative to the K5 for street shooting in particular. However, I'm far from convinced - so would be very interested to hear owners' impressions - particularly on size and handling, AF speed and LCD useability.

Yes, four days in and nothing. It wasn't like that when the K-5 came out.

John K

I think it's a case of us being certain that image quality will be at least as good as the K-5, so there will be little to add to that. All the reviews confirm that as well, so it's clearly not an issue.

Those who want the K-01 will buy it with confidence I suspect, others will stick with the DSLR range.

Personally I am happy with my DSLRs and the Q, which are used in quite different situations. So there's no imperative to buy a K-01. When our backup K20D finally dies I may consider it as the backup camera.

Sure, we know that we can expect a lot from the sensor, however, given that this camera represents a radical departure for Pentax (in all sorts of ways) I am surprised that there has been no new user discussion on PUF as yet.

I suspect that a lot of it is dowm to the market segment the K-01 is aimed at. The K5 is very much an enthusiasts camera, the K-01 less so & no great advantage to those who have a K5.

Yes, Mike, the thought had crossed my mind. Still I would have thought someone would have posted their first impressions of the K-01, if only to address its video capability.

it hasn't hit the store shelves yet here...

Has anyone on here actually bought one? If not then that would explain the lack of comments on it.

I think they've only just become available in relatively small quantities.

I assumed that some would have been purchased at the SRS Pentax day. It's a disappointing result for Pentax if none were.

I disagree.

It's aimed at a different market from the K-mount DSLR market, which is what PUF primarily represents. We have very little discussion about Optios or 645Ds on here. It doesn't mean that Pentax aren't selling any.

G

You'd have to ask Chris at SRS, but we can't assume either that any purchasers were members of this forum. There's just no information at this point.

I wasn't inferring Pentax hadn't sold any. I'm just surprised that some PUFer hasn't acquired one and contributed feedback on the Forum. When new products have been showcased at Pentax days at SRS in the past we usually get quite a bit of feedback on new kit here soon after.

You might be right George, that DSLR users wouldn't be the prime (no pun intended) market - but I would have thought that in keeping the K mount they also hoped it would appeal to at least some existing Pentax users who want to make the most of their glass. I'm certainly curious myself - it MIGHT be a great tool for street shooters like me.

Unfortunately, Depressing Review aren't very complimentary: link

That's usually a good sign!

G

I played with one at the SRS open day. Unfortunately, clashing with the rugby, the football and St Patrick's day meant there were very few people there when I was there.

As someone who wasn't really interested in a CSC of any make, I was actually pleasantly surprised with the K-01. The screen was excellent and it was very easy to manually focus an A series lens on it (I made them get an old lens out of the window display!), the autofocus was quick, the new pancake lens ludicrously thin, and it was easy to hold. The last was quite a surprise as I suspected the brick like design would be uncomfortable. The controls are easy to use and familiar to Pentax users. It certainly impressed me more in the flesh than it did on paper.

I'm not in the market to buy a new digital camera of any sort/make at the moment, but I would certainly consider a K-01 more seriously having handled one than I did previously.

Not quite an owners review, but possibly better than nothing.

I also played with a Q and it's five lenses (really cute) and a 645D (oh I wish!).

Cheers, Kris.