Right after I sell my Pentax gear they announce the new K-01 mirrorless body, compatible with all K Mount lenses. Oh, and it has the most advanced video capability of all Pentax cameras. Supposedly complete manual control of shutter and aperture. Full HD 1080p at 30/25/24 fps and 720p at 50/50/30/25/24 fps. Price listed at $750 for the body.
Now, there’s not really anything earth shattering about those specs. The Panasonic GH2 is similar. But this is a major step forward for Pentax. If the sensor, very similar to the one in the K5, has the same handling of dynamic range and image quality, it could produce some very nice images.
The K-01 doesn’t have a viewfinder, which is a drawback for a lot of traditional SLR shooters, but for video it’s not really a problem.
It looks likes a great body at a great price, especially if you have an investment in K Mount lenses. For me, even if I had kept my K Mounts I would not be able to afford to make the switch. So, I’m still where I need to be; ready to purchase amid-level HDSLR. I’m waiting a little while for any more announcements to come along.
Scott Link Media 