As the Mark II in the name suggests, the Pentax K-1 Mark II encompases much of the same hardware as the company's earlier option, using a full frame, 36 megapixel sensor. The K-1 II, however, adds an accelerator that expands the cameras ISO range well beyond the original. An updated processor also helps the camera capture better color, the company says.
The Pixel Shift Mode that captures a higher resultion was included on the original version, however, Pentax is expanding that to include a mode for handheld shooting. That mode is made possible through the camera's sensor shift image stabilization that slighly shifts the sensor to capture a higher resolution shot by creating a composite. The same stabilization system mimics an anti-aliasing filter, so the feature can be turned on and off.
That processor doesn't give the K-1 Mark II a speed boost, however, as the burst sits at a medicore 4.4 fps. The camera's video mode is limited to 1080p HD while many at this price range are stepping up to 4K.
Pentax DSLRs may not be as mainstream as the giants like Canon and Nikon, but Pentax still gives users a handful of reasons to choose the K-1 Mark II over others on the market. The ability to turn the anti-alliasing simulation on and off is a Pentax-only feature. The built-in GPS is harder to find and Pentax cameras are often competiatively priced.
The Pentax K-1 Mark II looks like a solid option for a full frame DSLR with in-body stabilization. Compare carefully with the Canon EOS 6D Mark II and the Nikon D750, both wtih faster burst speeds but without the stabilization in the body. The K-1 Mark II list price is $2,397 with a kit lens or about $2k without a lens.
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