Pentax reveals retro-looking K-01 enthusiast's camera

by Steven Mostyn - Feb 3 2012, 08:00

Rounding out this week’s sudden deluge of camera-based coverage, the good folks over at Pentax have whipped the covers off their new (but somewhat retro) K-01 snapper.

While it may look as if it’s just time warped into existence, the K-01’s fixtures and fittings reveal it to be a distinctly modern camera wrapped up in an eye-pleasingly classic aesthetic.

So what’s on offer here? Well, the K-01 is the first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera to roll off the Pentax production line, and it comes supported by a solid 16 mega-pixel CMOS sensor and ISO sensitivity that stretches to an impressive 25600.

And, according to Pentax, the 40mm DA XS lens used aboard its K-01 is the thinnest interchangeable lens that’s currently available on the camera market.

Other aspects of note include, a 3.0-inch LCD display (920k), high-speed burst image capture, Full HD video recording (30fps at 1080p), compatibility with Pentax ‘film format’ lenses, and support for standard SLR lenses.

Weighing in at 560g and measuring 121x79x59 (mm), the K-01 certainly looks and feels like the upper-tier enthusiast’s camera Pentax is hoping it becomes.

The Pentax K-01 is expected to sell for around £680 GBP when it hits retail in March—that price includes the camera body and the aforementioned 40mm DA XS lens.

A separate bundle including the camera body, an 18-55mm lens, and a telephoto lens kit with a zoom range of 50-200mm will cost £800 GBP.

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