Pentax K SLR

Contents

Pentax SLR cameras - recommendations and tips for buying

When it comes to digital SLR cameras, most people first think of Canon or Nikon. However, there are several other manufacturers that offer high-quality DSLRs. Pentax is one of them. This manufacturer is known for quality DSLRs with a good price-performance ratio. There are models suitable for beginners as well as for advanced and professionals. So everyone can find a suitable camera that meets their own expectations. The DSLRs offer everything you expect from a modern camera: brilliant image quality, numerous setting options and shooting modes as well as an impressive video function. The brand definitely benefits from its many years of experience in the field of camera development. The Japanese company is currently part of the Ricoh electronics group. Already in the past, the brand succeeded in developing some camera innovations that quickly became standard. These include, for example, the automatic oscillating mirror, which was first used in a Pentax SLR.

The digital Pentax SLRs are marketed under the name "K series". Equipped with some filters, they offer you the possibility to customise your shots. But the cameras also have other advantages: They are easy to handle, have compact dimensions and are not as heavy as the models from the competition. They are therefore ideal as travel cameras and are a popular choice for both amateur and professional photographers. The Pentax SLR cameras can be easily stowed in any photo bag and at the same time have splash-proof and dust-proof housings. This is another reason why they are predestined for outdoor use. In any case, it is worthwhile to stand out from the crowd and not only look around at Canon, Nikon and Sony before buying a DSLR, but also to shortlist Pentax models. Have you become curious? Then be sure to take a look at the lower section of our shop. There you will find lots of useful advice on what to look out for when buying an SLR camera from this manufacturer.

Essential features of Pentax DSLRs

From the very beginning, the company relied on image stabilisation without a low-pass filter when manufacturing its SLR cameras. In combination with a fast image processor, Pentax cameras thus manage to provide effective noise reduction. In addition, the processing speed is high. In this way, the camera models of this manufacturer can deliver images in an excellent quality. The LCD monitor is also a special feature of these DSLRs. It can adapt to different lighting conditions. This has the advantage that perfect image control is always possible - both in the dark and in bright sunlight.

The Pentax K series in detail: Which camera is best for you?

The Pentax digital SLRs are marketed under the name K-series. In this model series, the company offers cameras with different equipment. Both absolute beginners and professionals will find something suitable among the camera models. All cameras work with the K bayonet. It was introduced in 1975 and is the successor of the universal M42 connection system. During development, care was taken to ensure that it would still be easy to adapt with the older devices.

The entry-level models in the K series are recognisable by their three-digit model number. They offer good image quality and a comprehensive range of features, so that no wishes will remain unfulfilled for beginners. At the same time, the price for Pentax entry-level models is comparatively low. In the middle class, you will find some models with a two-digit designation. They are more expensive, but offer many additional features such as protection against moisture and dust. Moreover, these devices are even frost-proof down to minus 10 degrees Celsius. The upper class is identified by the single-digit model designation. They are available with and without a low-pass filter and offer features that are especially needed by professionals. Accordingly, these Pentax SLR cameras also have their price.

Full format or crop sensor - what are the differences?

A SLR camera has an important advantage over a compact camera: it has a larger image sensor, which leads to significantly better image quality. The actual resolution plays a rather subordinate role. Current SLR cameras offer resolutions of 12 to 50 million pixels. Although many a compact camera has a resolution of 24 megapixels, the photos from the older 12-megapixel DSLR look better. This is simply due to the larger sensor of the DSLR. Even within the DSLR class, the larger the image sensor, the better the imaging performance, because the sensor is more light-sensitive, more precise and has less noise.

In principle, DSLRs are therefore distinguished between APS-C sensors (also called crop sensors) and full-frame sensors. Most Pentax SLR cameras have a so-called crop sensor. With an area of 22.5 by 15 millimetres, it is smaller than the full-frame sensor, which has dimensions of 24 by 36 millimetres. As a result, you have to make concessions in terms of imaging performance. However, the larger the sensor, the more expensive the camera. In general, the choice of models with a full-frame sensor among Pentax SLR cameras is still very small. There is currently only one DSLR in the K series that has such a sensor.

How big is the lens selection for Pentax cameras?

In the end, it almost doesn't matter whether you choose a full-frame camera or a model with a crop sensor, whether it's an expensive model for more than 1000 euros or a low-priced entry-level device - without a high-quality lens, you won't succeed in taking top photos. Therefore, before buying a Pentax DSLR, it is of course important to know whether the lens selection is sufficient and how good the lenses offered really are.

There is a choice of lenses for Pentax DSLRs on the one hand from the brand itself and on the other hand also from Tamron and Sigma. Accordingly, you can choose from numerous standard zooms, flexible travel zooms and telephoto zooms with extra-long focal lengths, with which you can bring even distant subjects close to the lens. In addition, various fixed focal length lenses with very good speed are offered, which are especially perfect for portraits. More specialised lenses are also available for Pentax systems, such as macro lenses and ultra-wide-angle lenses. So in terms of lens choice, you have nothing to fear when you choose a Pentax DSLR.