One things for sure, this camera has increased Pentax's exposure dramatically. Presuming the reviews come out in a few weeks, glowing comments about the image quality should coincide with the new DSLR releases.

I think what Riorico meant was you need to press the lens release button so the AF is disengaged, but the screw drive is still turning freely so you get the noise. As you say, not good for wildlife and perhaps not the best way to treat your AF motor, but the only way to use catch in focus unless your lens has an AF/MF switch right on the barrel. There's no way I would want to do it like that. Perhaps Don's suggestion of covering the contacts with tape would work better.

The iPhone just isn't a competitor for cameras like the NEX at all, with it's tiny lens and sensor. Yes the iphone and similar phone cameras (why is it always the iphone - Sony Erricson have better phone cams) will probably almost wipe out the compact sector, but a camera with interchangeable fast lenses and large sensor will always win out.

The NEX is by far the most popular ILC I see when I'm out and about in town. There is more to it than 'thin and trendy' - the IQ is competitive with DSLRs. Shame the lenses are like beer cans.... (An adapter plus a Pentax M50/1.7 is actually more compact than Sony's own 50/1.8 ):







Thus I think that a rather thinner version of the K-01 would be possible, somewhere between it's current thickness and the Sony NEX, and it would have more shelf-appeal.

Lets remember this is a Hoya project (Marc Newson said it was started just over a year ago) with a Hoya R&D budget.

Since Ricoh has taken the helm, we have a lens road map published (2012 lenses are probably a dead cert). Two new DSLRs strongly rumoured. Old Pentax engineers rehired! Judging by the K-01 perhaps it's best that Ricoh have stalled the delivery of the Kr replacement.

A few good cameras down the line, the K-01 will be forgotten, except perhaps as a quirky, highly collectable oddity.

Feeling conflicted about whether to go up to a mates in Chesterfield tonight, and hit the snowy Peak District tomorrow, or remain indoors all weekend with the central heating turned up....

It's still not really 'convenient video' as takes are limited to 25 mins. That's fine for serious video shooters, and for the odd bit of video, but not if you want a single-take, locked down shot of your kid's school play.

It does AF in video, but whether it's silent will depend on the lens (DC vs screwmount).

Interesting comments from MostlyHarmless. A lot of reviewers have noted that they didn't like the camera's looks, but their spouses loved it.

Would I buy :-

DA 50 - Yes, if cheap version of F50/f1.7. What's more it will sell like hot cakes.
DA 22-38 Ltd - Sounds interesting, so maybe.... are we sure it isn't actually 18-35mm though, a la the FAJ 18-35mm?
DA 12-28 - Possibly... the 12-24mm was already good enough though!
DA*16-85 - Maybe one day. Might be one to rent rather than buy, as it's rare that I need the sealing.
DA 120-380 - If similar to the DA55-300 in price/performance terms, maybe one day, but not my sort of thing really.
DA 18-250 - No. Good idea though.
DA 550 - Not my sort of thing. Can see the benefit of having it in Pentax's stable though.

Even if I don't personally want all these lenses, particularly the 'big guns', it's good for the brand to have them, and it's good to have the potential to rent them.

There's no doubts about it, 99% of people are perfectly comfortable using a screen. The lack of viewinder may make the camera seem more accessible to some.

Reminds me of Kung-Fu Panda!

Oh jeez - everytime I look at the K-01 I expect to see bubbles blowing out of the mode selector dial. Curse you, Marc Newson!

I agree with you on that point. The front and back edials on a K7 or K5 are better than either option though! Have you ever tried a Pentax DSLR? Much smaller than something like the D700