Pentax KP Hands-On Review

On this video our friend and colleague Chris Niccolls from the Camera Store take a look at the new Pentax KP APS-C mid range camera with what is supposedly a very high sensitivity sensor.

In terms of build quality Niccolls doesn’t seem very excited and the replaceable grip also seems to leave something to be desired. The lack of a fully articulated screen is also a miss (and to us the large bezel on the screen also doesn’t look that great).

On the bright side the sensor gives some very good resolution and the built in stabilizer works very well. The AF was also improved on this camera but Pentax seems to need more good new lenses to use the new AF capabilities.

Two other positive things – the viewfinder is very nice and the shutter is also nice and quite. As for video Jordan refused to talk about it which tells you home much there really is to say about that (i.e. very little).

Finally if you think that you can get to the super high ISO Pentax is promoting this camera for (819,200 ISO), forget about it – this is still an APS-C camera and the most you can get out of it is probably going to be around 6400 ISO (and at a pinch maybe 12,800 ISO). At the end of the day this isn’t a bad camera but if you want to go with Pentax the K70 has very similar performance and features and it cost far less.

Here are the main features of the new Pentax KP:

  • Sensor: a new 24.3MP APS-C without an AA filter.
  • Processor: PRIME IV Engine.
  • Max sensitivity: ISO 819,200.
  • Exchangeable Grip.
  • Video: Full HD 1080p @30p (with 4K interval based video).
  • AF system:27-Point AF Sensor
  • Continuous shooting: 7 fps.
  • 5-Axis In-Body Shake Reduction II.
  • LCD: 3.0″ 921k-Dot tilting.
  • Pixel Shift Resolution.
  • Wireless: built in Wi-Fi.
  • Weather-Sealed Magnesium Alloy body.
  • Price: $1100.

You can find many more previews and reviews on our Photography review section here on LensVid. You can find many of The Camera Store videos here on LensVid.

Iddo Genuth
Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.

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