Pentax K-1 Mark II

    78
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    Highlights

    • 36.4 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
    • No Optical Low-pass Filter
    • 100 - 819,200 Native ISO
    • 33 Focus Points (33 Cross-type)
    • 5-Axis Image Stabilization
    • 3.2" 1,037k dot Fully Articulated Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 4.4 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
    • 25 min Video Recording Limit
    • Built-in GPS
    • Built-In Wi-Fi
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Pentax K-1 Mark II was announced in 2018 and is a Full Frame (35.9 x 24 mm) DSLR camera with 36.4 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 819,200. The camera has a Fully Articulated 3.2" screen with 1,037k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a built-in 5-Axis Sensor Shift in body image stabilization.

    Pentax K-1 Mark II can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Pentax K-1 Mark II.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   Large Sensor
    •   819,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   Sensor Shift High Resolution Mode
    •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Large Screen - 3.2"
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Built-in GPS
    •   Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   Heavy - 1010 g (2.23 lb / 35.63 oz)

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   Price
    •   Sensor Resolution - 36.4 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   -3 EV Min AF Detection
    •   33 Focus Points
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,037k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.4 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
    •   Battery Life - 670 shots

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Pentax K-1 Mark II to its predecessor K-1 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Pentax K-1 Mark II vs Pentax K-1
    Higher Native ISO 819,200 vs 204,800
    DOWNGRADES Pentax K-1 Mark II vs Pentax K-1
    More Expensive $1999/£1799 (body only), $2399 (w/FA 28-105mm lens) vs $1799/£1599 (body only)
    Shorter Battery Life 670 shots vs 760 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pentax K-1 Mark II vs K-1.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fully Articulated screen

    Pentax K-1 Mark II has a 3.2" Fully Articulated screen with 1,037k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes this camera selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

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    Pentax K-1 Mark II with Fully Articulated screen


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification.

    Sensor

    Pentax K-1 Mark II features a 36.4 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 24 mm and a total area of 861.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 819,200.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Pentax K-1 Mark II's Full Frame sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame35.9 x 24 mm861.6 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with PRIME IV processor and can take pictures up to 7360 x 4912 resolution.


    Lens Mount

    Pentax K-1 Mark II has Pentax KAF4 lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.


    No Low-Pass Filter

    There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.


    In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera has a built-in 5-Axis Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS) with 5 stops of compensation. This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax K-1 Mark II.

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    Built-in GPS

    Pentax K-1 Mark II has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
      Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.


    Built-in Wi-Fi

    Camera has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
      Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.


    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Pentax K-1 Mark II has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Micro HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Pentax K-1 Mark II comes with D-LI90 battery pack with battery life of 670 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slots.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Pentax K-1 Mark II has Electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 4.4 fps.


    Focusing

    Pentax K-1 Mark II has 33 (25 cross-type) focusing points and from -3 to +18 EV detection range There is also face detection feature which automatically finds and focuses on faces.


    Exposure

    Camera's exposure metering ranges from -3 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment.


    Flash

    Pentax K-1 Mark II has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec. Flash compensation can be set from -2 to +1 EV with 1/3 or 1/2 EV step increments.

    Physical Parameters

    Pentax K-1 Mark II has dimensions of 137 x 110 x 86 mm (5.39 x 4.33 x 3.39"). It weighs 1010 g (2.23 lb / 35.63 oz), so it is a heavy camera.

    137 mm (5.39")

    110 mm (4.33")

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    110 mm (4.33")

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    86 mm (3.39")

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    Pentax K-1 Mark II dimensions

    Pentax K-1 Mark II for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Pentax K-1 Mark II is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    EXCELLENT
    89

    Pentax K-1 Mark II gets a score of 89 and is EXCELLENT choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,037k dot
    •   Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    GOOD
    75

    Pentax K-1 Mark II gets a score of 75 and is GOOD choice for Sports photography.

    •   819,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   33 Focus Points
    •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,037k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.4 fps
    •   Battery Life - 670 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    GOOD
    71

    Pentax K-1 Mark II gets a score of 71 and is GOOD choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   819,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   33 Focus Points
    •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,037k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.4 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Battery Life - 670 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Pentax K-1 Mark II gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   33 Focus Points
    •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Large Screen - 3.2"
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,037k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    84

    Pentax K-1 Mark II gets a score of 84 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   33 Focus Points
    •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,037k dot
    •   Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1010 g (2.23 lb / 35.63 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Pentax K-1 Mark II gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,037k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1010 g (2.23 lb / 35.63 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 670 shots

    Pentax K-1 Mark II Evaluation

    We evaluate Pentax K-1 Mark II and give score of 78 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    78

    Sensor

    GOOD
    71

    We give Pentax K-1 Mark II a score of 71 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Sensor Resolution - 36.4 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   819,200 Highest Native ISO

    Photo

    EXCELLENT
    85

    We give Pentax K-1 Mark II a score of 85 for Photo parameters.

    •   Sensor Shift High Resolution Mode
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.4 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/200 sec

    Video

    POOR
    49

    We give Pentax K-1 Mark II a score of 49 for Video parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit

    Focusing

    GOOD
    83

    We give Pentax K-1 Mark II a score of 83 for Focusing parameters.

    •   -3 EV Min AF Detection
    •   33 Focus Points
    •   25 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    82

    We give Pentax K-1 Mark II a score of 82 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Large Screen - 3.2"
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,037k dot

    Connectivity

    EXCELLENT
    92

    We give Pentax K-1 Mark II a score of 92 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   Built-in GPS
    •   Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    72

    We give Pentax K-1 Mark II a score of 72 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1010 g (2.23 lb / 35.63 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 670 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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