Just over a year after it was unveiled, Pentax has announced that it is ceasing production of its K-01 large sensor mirrorless camera. No reason was given upon the announcement and, according to Digital Photography Review, there was no comment on the possibility of a K-02 from Pentax-Ricoh executives, either.
So much for Pentax's foray into the ever-expanding large-sensor, interchangeable lens, mirrorless camera market.
When it was first announced last February, there was a lot of buzz around the K-01. For starters, the camera was designed by Mark Newson, a noted designer known for creating everything from household furniture to luxury yachts. The camera was available in black, white, and yellow color schemes. All of the cameras also featured Newson's inscribed signature, too.
Onto more practical things, the camera was built around a 16Mp APS-C sensor, the same one that is used in the then-flagship Pentax K-5, which was, in its time, widely acknowledged as having some of, if not the best, image quality of any sub-frame dSLR on the market. With an imaging engine like that serving as its heart, the K-01 definitely delivered the goods when it came to image quality. .
A final plus: the camera was fully compatible with all K-mount lenses, a first in the photographic industry for a company that also makes traditional dSLRs as all other manufacturers opted to create different mounts (and thus necessitate the buying of more lenses) for their mirrorless models.
Why did Pentax kill the K-01 and why? Will there be a K-02? The answers to those questions: no one knows for now. One thing is certain, though: if you want a K-01, be sure to buy now, especially as the price has been dropping for quite some time now.
Looking to buy an Pentax gear in the Cleveland area? Well, there's Cleveland-based Dodd Camera, with its downtown superstore. In addition, there are many smaller Cleveland metro area chain stores in the Cuyahoga County area, too. Dodd is an authorized Pentax dealer.
For more info:
Digital Photography Review
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