Pentax K-1 Mark II
The Pentax K-1 Mark II captures highly detailed images with huge dynamic range Pentax 24-70mm f/2.8 at 31mm, 1/60sec at f/16, ISO 100
When the original Pentax K-1 appeared a little over two years ago, it garnered a lot of excitement. Not only was it the first full-frame DSLR to sport the iconic Pentax brand, but at £1,600 it also offered remarkable value for money. Its 36MP sensor had only previously been seen in substantially more expensive cameras such as the Nikon D810 and Sony Alpha 7R, and it included five-axis in-body image stabilisation and an unusual flexible-tilt rear LCD.
Now, parent company Ricoh has given us a replacement: the Pentax K-1 Mark II. But it's very much an iterative upgrade, with few new features. The main addition is an ‘accelerator unit', which works in tandem with the PRIME IV image processor. As a result, the Mark II offers an extended sensitivity range, which now goes all the way to ISO 819,200 compared to ISO 209,400 on the original. There's also an intriguing-sounding version of Pentax's Pixel Shift Resolution mode that works for handheld shooting, and a promise of faster AF with improved subject tracking. But that's the extent of the changes.
Uniquely, existing Pentax K-1 owners can have their cameras upgraded to Mark II standard. For around £450, the main circuit board can be replaced with the new version, enabling the full set of updated features. The SR label on the front plate
