Field Test of Pentax K-01 (huge file size)

[wtay0001]

Time to put my Yellow Pentax K01 with DA 40 F2.8 to some actual outdoor use. Too much home-based experiement will not do justice to this camera.

Went to Bukit Mertajam's Tokun Reserve Park this morning. 1st thing 1st when I took out the camera...all human beings were looking at me with the expression of AWE and confusion. I think they must be amazed by the Marc Newson design, the yellow color and the camera that doesn't look like having any lens attached. I like it.

They were few monkeys doing their usual breakfast scavaging around there. I don't dare to take their photos...because I am afraid they mistakenly took my yellow K-01 as a banana and start chasing me

Here's some of the shots I tool over there. The DA40XS is extremely easy to use at this focal length. And the outputs from K01 and the lens are simple out of the world. I am very impressed with the color tone and sharpness.



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I love this shot because of the tone, shadow and 3D feel
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As usual, jangan buang sampah
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Check our the resolution this machine is capable of
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[noordin]

I find the photos are biased towards blue Maybe it's me.

Nevertheless the resolution is superb.

[PaAlisya]

Wow...I love pic No 2 and yes, it does have the 3D feel. The earthly color is soothing to the eyes.

Hmmm...got my K5 just when they launched the K01 here.

[wtay0001]

Best of all, composing through 3.0" LCD really ease your works and eyes. Any changes etc EV will instantaneously shown on the LCD. This really help to minimize all the agak-agak works.

Is there any glare when using the LCD? I used the camera from early morning until nearly 12pm, I could see the screen very clearly. Like I indicated earlier comparing K5 vs K01 LCD, I think Pentax may have tuned the K01 to handle better in this dept. My tips is under the Sun, as long as you disable the auto power saving mode for the LCD backlight which kicks in after 10 seconds of inactivity, you are in good hands.

[jester]

Awesome work, William, esp #2! Pentax colors are so vivid, but real and believable. I'm testing my K-01 extensively too. Studio test coming up in the next few days.

[Netsoft]

Is it then, worth to change from K-5 to K-01?

[vinsant]

Is it then, worth to change from K-5 to K-01?

That'd depend on what you're after. If weather sealing isn't high on your list of priorities, and you dont' mind working with live view as opposed to a viewfinder, you'll have no problems with the K-01.

If you want to change to a K-01, well that'll depend on what you're after

[Netsoft]

Well I'm after the weight/IQ equation. Prefer something light but not too plasticky feeling. I also shoots RAW. Sometimes 2-3 shoots at one go.

[wtay0001]

If you already have a K5, keep it and get a K01 as youtr backup.

If you have not had any Kr and above camera, go for K01. It's handsomely built and nice to hold. If you are like me who are fond of viewing LCD for composition, this is a must have contender.

However, do take note K01 does support RAW but the continous shot can be a bit slow. It's JPEG fps is lighting speed though.

[Netsoft]

What about the AF speed at low light?

[wtay0001]

K01 is 1EV lower in terms of sensitivity. However, Pentax has modified the algorithm. The green focusing beam is now engaged more often that K5. I guess that's to patch the gap of the EV difference. I also feel in face detection mode, the AF is a lot faster than other single point AF.

[vinsant]

I can safely say that the K-01 might look like a toy when you see it on the internet, but when you have it in hand, you could never mistake it for one.

Well, maybe if you're Tommy

[Netsoft]

Sounds interesting. You guys know where I can test drive without purchase commitment? LOL

[letmein]

How's the AF speed compare to K5 for LV or TTL? Accuracy?

[wtay0001]

I didn't do any structured experiement on comparing btw them. I only know K01 face detection mode is a lot faster than its single AF point mode.

[optixsyz]

nice work..

[mwlai]

Nice photo # 2 ! and after holding the real yellow/black K01 at a famous red & yellow burger shop, it feel much better than seeing it in photo.

but Pentax always like to include some shortfall in their design......with such a huge body (for mirrorless), cant the Pentax engineer put an EVF on it or a slot for external EVF ? look at Sony NEX or Lumix GF/X....
Should test AF at low light condition too (the weakness of contrast detection AF), and prolong turn on of the live view (CMOS heated up leads to noise), these are where normally mirrorless system died (reason why i get a K-5, as spare ?)