Actually... a pound of butter weighs less. This puppy rolls in at more than 19 ounces - without battery. Or lens. That makes it only about 4 ounces less than the K-5, not much smaller at all along the lens axis (understandably) and less comfortable to hold.
Had Pentax decided to make a K mount module for the Ricoh GXR, it'd have probably been far more comfortable to shoot. Would it weigh less? Depends on the AF mechanisms probably. GXR body 160 grams, the M lens mount is 170g. Pessimistically double that to 340g, plus body = 500g. That's about 17 ounces. But the GXR is more ergonomic than a brick of butter!
I'll be interesting to see what Pentax, A Ricoh Company, has in store for their next non-DSLR non-Point-and-Shoot camera. Or will they do nothing more until clearing out stock of the K-01 at discount prices? Somehow I don't think these will remain at a premium for too long at all.
they haven't discounted the Q much yet. i told my dealer that when he was willing to sell me the Q with the normal kit zoom for $400, i would take one. so far, he hasn't been willing.
Herb...
michaelwatkins wrote:
I'll be interesting to see what Pentax, A Ricoh Company, has in store for their next non-DSLR non-Point-and-Shoot camera. Or will they do nothing more until clearing out stock of the K-01 at discount prices? Somehow I don't think these will remain at a premium for too long at all.
I doubt if the weight is really an issue. It weighs a tad less than an M9, and somewhat more than an X-Pro 1, the latter of which many found a bit light.
I think the real issue here is how it handles. Are the red and green buttons really so hard to reach? Is the grip really too shallow? Is the grip that much worse than a 5N, E-M5 or X-Pro 1?
Personally I quite like the camera. The design is fresh and the colour is eye-catching, for me in a good way. The silver/black body is modern classy. I don't know how the design will age, but I applaud Pentax (and the Nikon 1 system) for not taking the safe, narrow, well-beaten path of the X-Pro 1/X100 and other more classic/retro designs, nor the big P&S with more buttons design of the NEX series (apart from the 7).
I guess though that the yellow version may not be so good for street photography
Here is a quote from the DPReview preview which I found misplaced:
"And there's no escaping that fact that the K-01 is a heavy camera that is not particularly comfortable to hold without using a second hand supporting the lens."
Who the hell holds a serious camera without the second hand under the lens?
About the K-mount, I don't see the problem, and don't think it has to be for existing Pentax users. Pentax, of all the major (okay, big differences in size ignored) players, has a series of small primes perfect for such a body. I think a K-01 owner could buy a few primes and end up with an APS-C version of my E-PL3, 12/2 (coming real soon now), 25/1.4, 45/1.8 kit. There is no reason to buy the larger lenses, which would fit better on a K-5 anyway.
With such a great selection of existing compact primes, I would say that Pentax would be stupid *not* to use a K mount. This is very different than Canon or Nikon, who don't have such a range, just a lens or two.
Bad AF and no EVF. Yikes. But if someone wishes to buy me a birthday present (late August guys, start saving now... ) I'd be very happy to get the yellow one with the pancake lens.
If Pentax had made this a "universal mount" like the NEX and m4/3, plus added an EVF (or add on) then it would be a truly unique offering worth considering. A mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor and IBIS would be something I'd love to have.
