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Pentax KP : Specifications and Opinions

The Pentax KP is a reflex camera with APS-C (1.5x) sensor and 24 megapixels manufactured from 2017 to 2021 (discontinued). The range of sensitivities, including ISO extension, is 100 - 819200 ISO and it has a continuous shooting (burst mode) of 7 FPS x 8 RAW, 28 JPEG. The average price, when it has been added to the JuzaPhoto database, is 1099 €;

43 users have given it an average vote of 9.5 out of 10

Sensor
Format	APS-C, 23.5 x 15.7 mm (image ratio 3:2, crop factor 1.5x in comparison with FF)
Resolution	24 megapixel (pixel pitch 3.92 μm)
ISO sensitivities	100 - 819200
File formats	JPEG, RAW
Esposure
Shutter speeds	30" - 1/24000
Exp. compensation	+/- 5 stops at 1/3 steps
Exp. modes	M, S, A, P
Metering modes	Multi-Area, Semi-Spot, Spot
Features
Mount	Pentax K (click here to view all compatible lenses)
Stabilization	Yes
Autofocus (AF areas)	27
Continuos shooting (with autofocus)	7 FPS x 8 RAW, 28 JPEG
Continuos shooting (without autofocus)	7 FPS x 8 RAW, 28 JPEG
Pre-Burst	No
Live View	Yes
MLU/SS	Yes, Mirrok Lock Up
Video mode	1920x1080p @ 30 FPS
WiFi	Yes
GPS	No
USB	USB 2.0
Computing Features
ND Long Exposure	Yes, up to 2000 photos (ND11)
Pixel Shift	Yes, in-camera (24 megapixel)
Focus Stacking	No
Startrail/Composite mode	Yes
Astrotracer	Yes (but it requires external GPS, not included with camera)
Camera body and built
Touchscreen	Yes
LCD	3.0", 640 x 480 pixels, partially articulating
Viewfinder	Optical, coverage 100%, 0.95x
Flash	Yes, guide number 6 meters
Storage	SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage, Slot 2	not available
Shutter	Mechanical and electronic
Battery	Pentax D-LI109, 7.78 Wh
Weather sealing	Yes
Weight	703 g
Dimensions	132 x 101 x 76 mm
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Reviews

What do you think about this camera?

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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Joseph64

sent on February 17, 2025

Pros: Robust, reliable, high ISO performance, Image Stabilizer, ergonomics of keys and dials, usable with old lenses

Cons: Battery with poor battery life

Opinion: I bought it new to replace my more than reliable K20D (.. which I still use with considerable satisfaction..) And from the first shots I was struck by the ease of use and the photographic performance at high ISO, you can easily shoot at 1600/3200 ISO with a more than acceptable noise, and associated with the image stabilizer that does its job very well you can take home qualitatively very good photos even in the dark. In fact, I frequently use it at night, for events, in museums (... where you can take pictures...) where you can't use the flash, and when I go on vacation.... daily I continue to use my old and unstoppable K20D often. I bought two compatible auxiliary batteries with a higher capacity than the original one and I use them in rotation ... on vacation they are necessary as a single battery does not necessarily last all day, especially if you often use the screen, and I also have a battery charger with USB connection that allows me to recharge even in the car or with a power bank (I found the IKEA one excellent) that I always have in my backpack ... For me it is a 9.7 grade...

Jacopo Maffei

sent on April 23, 2023

Pros: Invoice and body design, AF and amazing sensor, usable BG, lightness, stabilization.

Cons: A single SD slot (UHS-I), Maximum autonomy of 450 shots in viewfinder, about 350 in LV.

Opinion: The review of a camera body is a fact that is partly subjective and partly objective. The first refers to the experience and field of application, the second to the technical peculiarities of the device. After a few months spent in landscapes, events and reportage activities, my consideration is expressed in relation to the K70 and K1 respectively that I used before and that I use today as the main body. My preconceptions about the K70 were quite negative thinking that on paper there were no actual, operational, differences with the previous one: nothing could be more wrong. The design of the machine body has certainly been carried out with great attention and care: the materials are excellent, the rings well arranged and of good workmanship without games and pleasant to the touch. The grip immediately catapulted me back, to the Canon A1 with which I learned to photograph despite being replaced with an Allen key supplied between three grips, from the thinnest, perfect with pancake or light lenses (Limited HD Series) to the large one to be preferred with the zoom or fixed of the FF Series. The body is small and thin with a black color (in my case) that makes you appreciate the metal body as the film SLRs of the seventies on the back and on the shell where the shutter button and the power button are a whole betraying a deliberately but solid refined invoice and with a grip bitten on the ring. Extremely numerous customization possibilities (the two time and aperture rings, the ring on the cap and no less than six buttons) in addition to the selector to the right of the completely customizable pentaprism. Perhaps, one might say, too many, so much so that without carrying out operational tests, some choices may initially be unorthodox: however, with daily use it becomes habit and opening the menu, as in all Pentax, becomes a tinsel. AF and burst valid, especially the first that allows you to set in AF.A. leaving the machine to choose autonomously between AF-S and AF-C. Finally, we come to the heart of the KP, the sensor. On the successful projects of Pentax always turn urban legends: who says that it is the same as the Fujii X-T4, which outclasses the Sony A7III up to ISO 3200. Let's say that, compared to the K1 it loses 1/3 of a stop in terms of dynamic range with "difficult light" (lack of halftones and high contrast) but that the digital noise, despite being an APSC, remains "crisp" and not "kneads" as it happened in the K70 up to ISO 6400 completely similar to a K1 file. The black and white files produce a very pleasant thin grain starting from ISO 800 that immediately resembles the Kodak TMax and not at all invasive up to ISO 3200. Of course, the K1 still maintains a greater dynamic range but let's remember that it is an FF with a completely different design behind it. The KP is confirmed as an excellent product, nice to hold in the hand, to tighten looking into the viewfinder, clear and bright, also complete with contacts for the optional BG (which can accommodate both LI-109 batteries and those of the LI-90 series of the K1 / K1II / K3III), a project that we hope will have a continuation in the near future.

user241076

sent on December 07, 2022

Pros: Stabilizer on the sensor as per Pentax, tropicalization, optical viewfinder, rings, pixel-shift, integrated flash, size, 24 MP, does not make 4K video fortunately!!

Cons: Weight (653 gr. without battery and SD card), battery life, excessive high ISO, the screen does not orient sideways, grip despite interchangeable grips.

Opinion: Honestly with the Pentax KP I am more than satisfied in all terms. I was looking for another Pentax body but resistant to the elements and with the rings and in this little jewel I found everything. For me it was a big leap compared to the Pentax K-S1 I had for 6 years. As for the battery I already had 2 and very often I turn off the LCD screen completely because I use the optical viewfinder. I rarely photograph live-view. I don't go beyond 3200 ISO. The 819200 are useless. The weight is also felt with light lenses such as 18-50 (other 185 gr.) which is plastic. The three rings are fluid and well positioned. I shoot almost always in manual mode or with priority times and apertures (TAv) and ISO automatically. The screen if it had been like that of the Fujifilm X-T3 would have been perfect . Autofocus more than good for me not being a sports or birdlife photographer as well as the 7 frames per second. The menu is simple and easy to use. I bought it used for £550. I love this camera. Vote 10

Fabio789

sent on May 20, 2020

Pros: Iso hold, stabilization in the car, discreet silence snap, iso hold and dynamic range, tropicalization, price.

Cons: Batteries, es shot, lack of IR control, DC cable.

Opinion: Just taken, so mine is both a first impression on some points of interest and a comparison with my previous KS2. I switched to KP because I wanted a machine with a less noisy shot that would allow me to hunt for photos. Although attracted by certain Canon and Nikon who have much better focus systems, already having some goals, costing less and having a very good dynamic range, I stayed in Pentax. The KP promised a less noisy shot, more points for autofocus and a better stabilization system than the ks2: 3 things that finally convinced me to buy. I have to say that the noise of the mirror that rises is much less than the KS2 (I would say halved), but still for me still a little annoying. Shooting in live view mode the noise drops a lot and becomes optimal, too bad that the focus from this mode is much poorer and I assume it increases energy consumption. Energy consumption that must be greater than that of the KS2 since the battery, which is the same, lasts less. Then there's the electronic shot (ES) that promises very fast shots and no noise. On no noise I confirm, but on the shots under 1/6000 that can do only in this mode I would say that they are a mockery, the image of a moving object is totally distorted even with incredibly short, unusable time. The autofocus is faster and especially more accurate than the KS2. The stabilization, the dynamic range, the usability of the high iso are better than the KS2. The stabilization tried with a 500 mm freehand zoom surprised me for the effectiveness, really a big added value. There is the possibility to shoot with the mirror raised without using the timed shot. It lacks the IR remote that the KS2 had even if placed only frontally, however you can shoot with cable something you could not do on ks2. The flash is less powerful, but the chances of shooting with other flashes seem to me slightly improved in the proposed options that I have not yet tried. Interestingly, compared to the KS2 has a DC power outlet outside the batteries, too bad that the cable is not sold in Italy and is still ridiculously expensive. There are cheap Chinese alternatives that also worked on the ks2 using the battery compartment, only by keeping the battery compartment open maybe on the outside to make astrophotos I wonder what moisture can do to a machine that, as a lock, would be tropicalized. The control from the phone via wifi works better than that of ks2: the answer is much faster. The screen, okay you see better than the one on the ks2 and it is partially rotateable, however that of the ks2 you could rotate 180 degrees and you could close it towards the car which allowed you to take selfies, to shoot holding the car very high above you and to protect the screen from any scratches and fingers keeping it closed to the machine, so the articulatable system of ks2, maybe less modern was definitely better and really not understanding why it was not kept. The price, 700 euros is very competitive. The big problem with Pentax right now is the targets, especially the 400, 500, 600mm that are basically not there, there's a 300mm and a very expensive 550mm, really little compared to the competition. Other sore spots are focus, tracking and video. Where with soreness I mean that competitors with machines that cost double provide really exceptional performance that can be comfortable, but also with the KP I expect good margins of fun. On the video department, the biggest shortfall and the imposability of customizing without a stake any frame rates and exposure time that instead remain constrained to precise limits. OK, that's it.

Ruggio

sent on April 12, 2020

Pros: iso seal, dimesion and weight (compared to K5, K3), extra control ring; tropicalization, stabilization

Cons: Batteries

Opinion: I would like to say that I am passionate about landscape and naturalistic photography and my impressions refer to use in these areas. Bought again in December 2018 and paired with the K1 I already owned. Used in different situations both "humid" and "snowy" without ever having had problems. Stabilization in the car is great. Despite the small size (compared to the other pentax home APSC I had) it grips well also thanks to the interchangeable grips. Good dynamic range and raw files from about 30-35 MB work well. When coupled with quality goals, it gives excellent photos. Particularly fond of pairing with the 300 DA* with which you can get good photos even at 2500 ISO. Used is located on 650/700 euros. At this price it is a machine with truly exceptional characteristics. Batteries are the most sore point, you need to have at least 2 for an out-of-port trip and at least 3 for a challenging trip.

There are 9 more reviews. Show all »

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S.t.

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Giants in the Fog

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Stairway to heaven

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Reviews » Cameras » Cameras Pentax » Pentax KP

Pentax KP : Specifications and Opinions

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Reviews

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Photos taken with Pentax KP