The Pentax K-01 A Blockbuster camera

Here it is Everybody!!! The K-01 the first serious mirroless camera from our longtime friends at Pentax.

Here is why  you want one.

1. Uses the K-5 sensor. Currently the best ranking APS-C sensor available on the market. Image quality should destroy any M4/3 rds camera. The only comparable  mirrorless cameras in image quality are the the Sony Nex 7 ( $300 more), Fuji X system ( $900 more), and the Samsung NX200  ( Same price but sensor is still not as good though).

2. Uses the full line of K mount lenses with auto focus.  This is a huge advantage as Pentax has  something like 100+ compared to 28 for M4/3rds.

3. Cheaper than most of its competition. The Pentax with kit lens will come in at $900. The Nex 7 will be $1200. The Fuji X100 is $1200 ( and you can't change lenses). The new Fuji X system camera will be $1700 and will only have 3 lenses at start ( and who knows what the cost will be). The Canon G1x almost as expensive ($800)  but has less features ,  is bigger, and lower performance. Comparable M4/3 rds camera are almost as expensive ( The Panasonic GX1 and Olympus E-P3 are both $900) .

The Pentax K-01 give you the quality of K-5, at a lower price than its competition, with more lenses and features. Don't believe me. Follow this link to the DP review camera comparisons to verify.

DP Review Camera Comparisons

and here is the Prices from B&H

B&H Photo Mirrorless Price Comparison

Pentax Q Vs Nikon V1 Vs Canon S100 Vs Fuji X10 Vs Olympus E-PM1

Okay Now here comes the real battle. Which compact system camera offers the most. Here are the contestants

Pentax Q - $799

Main advantages -

Smallest/Lightest
Traditional controls
1080P video with full manual controls
Electronic and Leaf Shutter
Pop up Flash and Hot Shoe ( sync up to 1/2000)
High quality prime lenses
Can adapt almost any lens
5.5 crop creates incredible telephoto possibilities
Very good quality output ( considering sensor size)
Ergonomically well designed/ Easy to use

Disadvantages
Sensor Size ( Image quality and DOF limitations)
Expensive

Your Decision- Does the size, features, and ergonomics make up for the price and sensor size.

 The Nikon V1 - $899

Main Advantages -

Its a Nikon so it will be available everywhere
High quality Electronic viewfinder and LCD Screen ( over 1 million dots)
Capable of 10FPS continuous drive
Mechanical and Electronic shutter ( capable up to 1/6000)
F mount adapter
Auto focus will probably be good
1080P video mode

Disadvantages -

Its the largest of all the cameras
No pop up flash just a rather strange looking clip on flash
No traditional controls ( menu driven)
Despite larger size, sensor size is smaller than M/3rds
The most expensive of all the systems
UGLY

Your Decision-  Does the built in viewfinder and fast continuous drive make up for the fact that you can get an Olympus E-P3 ( which has a larger sensor, more lenses, ultra fast autofocus, and is only slightly bigger) for the same price?

Canon S100 - approximately $500

Main Advantages -

Super small ( will fit into a pocket)
New sensor and higher mp so should be better than the already excellent S95 ( bigger than Q)
Added a 1080p video mode
Very easy to use
Its a Canon so you will be able to find it everywhere

Disadvantages
$500 is expensive for a point and shoot ( no matter the quality)
How much better can it really be than the S95
Can not change lenses ( although the lens it has is very good)
No traditional controls ( but they added the micro grip)
While the cheapest option, it is the most limited.

Fuji  X10 - $599

Main Advantages -

It looks Cool
Manual controls
Optical viewfinder
Very useful manual zoom lens
2/3 size sensor is larger than the Q and the S100
Can do 10-FPS in continuous drive
1080P video

Disadvantages
It the second largest camera with a relatively small sensor
The Optical viewfinder will have paralax issues and only covers 85% of the image
Can not change lenses ( lens looks great going from f2 to 2.8)
May end up being more style than substance

Olympus E-PM1 -$499

Main advantages -

Comes in Purple ! ( actually six different colors including traditional black)
Larger sensor size of all m
Very small ( Not pocket size though)
Very very fast autofocus ( fastest of any camera currently)
Large selection of M/4/3rds lenses available now
Can adapt a lot of lenses ( but not everything)
$499 is a great price and really cheap

Disadvantages

No traditional controls
While sensor is larger, it is still based on three year old technology
No manual control in video
Build quality will be average


So what should you choose. Every camera has their reason and here are mine.

Pick the Pentax Q is you want the absolutely smallest possible system that will still give you the flexibility of a DSLR. You have to be willing to accept that the image quality will not equal a DSLR.

Pick the Nikon V1 if you want a small system with a build in viewfinder. Image quality should equal m4/3rds. It will also be easily availble. You need to accept the fact that it is not a DSLR , the image quality will be good but not the equal of  an APS-C sensor. Lens choice will also be limited ( for a while). Price is high relative to what you get..

Pick the Canon S100 if you just want a high quality Point and shoot camera that has many of the same controls of a DSLR. Its main advantage is convenience and of course the Canon name. It will deliver excellent quality considering the sensor size.

Pick the Fuji X10 if you want something that resembles a traditional camera. The sensor size should deliver better quality that the Q and S100. The price is good too. Just do not expect to deliver images as good as a DSLR.

Pick the Olympus E-PM1 if you want the best of all worlds with the least compromise. $499 is an excellent price considering its only real limitation is the lack of manual controls. It is a great choice for the casual photographer.

My choices overall

Pentax Q for size and flexibility
Fuji X10 for tradition and price
Olympus E-PM1 for value and least amount of compromises

Pentax Q Time Lapse

One of the Pentax Q's secret weapon's is its 1080P video mode. It is feature rich with a very nifty and surprisingly high quality time lapse function. Dubious, then check out this video in the original settings.

The best Pentax Q videos - Reviews and Demos!!

After much searching, These are what I would consider the Best videos for the Pentax Q you can find. They vary from demo's to complete reviews but in general they really demonstrate what an amazing system the Q really is . Watch and appreciate.

Pentax Q unboxing video!!!

Okay, I am a complete mark for the Q. Interesting video ( unfortunately completely in Japaneses)

Pentax Q is Outstanding !!!

This video was just published a few days ago. It really shows off the video and still capabilities of the Q.

There is also a blog which contains more material and commentary. It is HERE if you want to check it out. from the samples I have seen, the Q is near equal to most of the M4/3rd's cameras available currently ( exception of course to the Panasonic GH1 and 2). What is really surprising is the quality of the toy lenses. Definitely check out the blog and video.

Pentax Q reviews : Out standing Performance!

There has been a great deal of  excitement surrounding the Q. Tech Radar has already released a rather extensive review of the camera and its only been out one day! This is very unusual since it typically takes several weeks. Here is the Full Review if you want to peruse it in depth.

The important points.

1. This camera is really small!!. When compared directly with a GF3 , you can really get an idea. It is definitely a major engineering accomplishment.

2. The DR is equal to the Sony Nex 3C. Considering the Nex uses an APS-c sized sensor. This is a big surprise.

3.High ISO is very good. Looking at their noise charts, it looks like the Q would be considered to be very usable up to 1000 ISO in the RAW mode. It could probably be pushed up to 2000 with satisfactory results