Pentax KP Review | 108 Data compared

However, the camera falls short significantly in performance speed and video capabilities, dragging down its overall rating. While it reaches a decent continuous shooting rate of 7 frames per second, the buffer stutters after a restrictive 28 JPEGs or just 9 RAW images. The autofocus is highly sluggish during Live View mode, requiring roughly 1.2 seconds to fire in low light, and the physical autofocus point spread is narrowly clustered toward the centre of the frame. Video functionality is barebones, limiting filmmakers to Full HD at 30 frames per second with no continuous autofocus tracking unless using specific, newer KAF4 lenses. Furthermore, the battery endurance is quite limited in Live View, capping out at a maximum of 300 shots per charge.

The Pentax KP is an upper mid-range APS-C DSLR that delivers excellent image quality, featuring a 24.1-megapixel CMOS sensor without an anti-aliasing filter to maximize detail retention. Photography pros will appreciate its highly robust, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body and a highly unique, interchangeable handgrip system that allows users to customize the physical ergonomics. It features an impressive 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization system offering up to 3 stops of compensation for any attached lens, a sharp tilting 3.0-inch LCD screen, a 100% coverage pentaprism viewfinder, and extensive physical control dials. Furthermore, its low-light performance is a massive strength, keeping image noise perfectly under control up to ISO 1,600 and remaining highly usable up to ISO 6,400, with a Pixel-Shift mode available for capturing exceptional static detail. However, the camera falls short regarding speed and multimedia capabilities. While shooting through the optical viewfinder provides a decently quick phase-detection autofocus (0.29 seconds), switching to Live View or video mode forces a slow contrast-detection autofocus that takes an outdated 0.69 seconds. Continuous shooting hits a quick 7.2 frames per second, but the buffer capacity...

The Pentax KP is a robust and compact DSLR designed primarily for dedicated photography enthusiasts who frequently shoot outdoors in harsh weather conditions. Built with a highly durable, extensively sealed metal body containing 67 weather seals, it easily withstands heavy rain, dust, and moisture. A standout feature is its body-integrated, sensor-shift image stabilisation system, which works effectively with all attached lenses and provides up to 3.8 stops of compensation to eliminate camera shake. Image quality from the 24-megapixel sensor is highly detailed and sharp in daylight, maintaining great clarity up to ISO 1,600, although performance drops noticeably at higher ISO sensitivities. Operating the camera is highly customisable due to physical controls like a quick-settings dial and five distinct user-programmable slots (U1–U5) on the mode dial. However, the Pentax KP has notable drawbacks, particularly regarding video performance and its autofocus system framework. It is a poor choice for videographers because it maxes out at Full HD resolution at 30 frames per second—lacking the 4K or 60fps options found in competitors—and completely lacks continuous autofocus tracking while recording video. While the autofocus...

The Pentax KP is a compact and highly durable DSLR camera built into a rugged metal housing. It features extensive environmental sealing that provides reliable protection against dust and moisture. A standout feature is its body-integrated image stabilization system. This system effectively reduces camera shake across all attached lenses. For example, when paired with the DA 18-135mm zoom lens, it compensates for up to 3.8 exposure stops. Photographers benefit from a 24-megapixel sensor that captures very sharp, highly detailed images in daylight. The camera offers excellent handling via a customizable Quick Setting dial. It includes a unique TAv mode that locks the shutter speed and aperture while automatically adjusting the ISO. It also provides five distinct user-programmable slots on the mode dial. Autofocus speeds are fast, clocking in at 0.15 seconds in normal light and 0.22 seconds in dim lighting. Despite its strengths, the camera has notable limitations regarding low-light performance, flash output, and video capabilities. Image sharpness declines noticeably once sensitivity exceeds ISO 1600. The maximum setting of ISO 819,200 is useful only for emergencies. The built-in flash is...

The Pentax KP is a robust and weather-sealed APS-C DSLR camera that stands out for its exceptionally solid build quality and outdoor capabilities. Its key pros include an impressive 67-point weather sealing setup that withstands heavy rain, and a unique interchangeable grip design that lets photographers adjust the body ergonomics to their hand size. It features a highly versatile 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization system that provides up to five stops of compensation and enables advanced features like a Pixel Shift mode for improved color data, a low-pass filter simulator to combat moiré, automatic horizon correction, and Astrotracer support for star photography. Additionally, the camera delivers an outstanding dynamic range of up to 11.1 stops and maintains exceptionally low image noise at lower ISO levels up to ISO 25,600. However, the camera has notable cons, particularly regarding its raw resolution output and performance limits. Despite its 24-megapixel sensor, the review notes that image resolution falls below average at 3,048 out of 4,000 lines, resulting in visibly softer fine details and contours compared to its direct competitors. For action photography, its buffer...

The DigitalPHOTO laboratory review concludes that the Pentax KP is a constantly good to very good mid-range DSLR that successfully carries forward the legacy of its predecessors. Priced at an ambitious €1,299 for the body, the camera stands out for its robust, weather-sealed construction featuring 67 seals against dust and water, making it a reliable all-weather companion. Its key features include a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, an advanced 5-axis internal image stabilisation system, an electronic shutter with speeds up to 1/24,000 second, and creative tools like Pixel Shift Resolution and automatic exposure bracketing. However, the review directly exposes significant shortcomings, notably labeling the camera's highly marketed maximum ISO of 819,200 as a mere "PR gag" rather than a functional innovation, as test charts became virtually unrecognisable at this ultra-high sensitivity level. The most critical performance flaw identified in the lab is the camera's sluggish and sluggish autofocus system when operating in Live View mode. Ultimately, while the Pentax KP fails to deliver revolutionary breakthroughs in image quality or handling, its consistently solid performance across all testing categories earned it an overall...

The connect-living review highlights the Pentax KP as a highly capable 24-megapixel APS-C DSLR that delivers exceptional value, earning the magazine's "APS-C Buy Tip" (Kauftipp) award. The core strength of the camera lies in its outstanding image quality, specifically when shooting in RAW format. While JPEG performance is excellent at low ISO settings with minimal noise and great fine detail resolution, the camera begins heavily suppressing details starting at ISO 1600. Switching to RAW avoids this texture loss, allowing the camera to maintain a resolution boundary of 2,025 line pairs per picture height all the way up to ISO 1600, while preserving significantly better dynamic range and detail than its competitors. Key Pros and Cons Pros: Excellent low-ISO JPEG and overall RAW image quality with exceptional fine-detail resolution. Powerful 5-axis in-body image stabilization paired with an innovative Pixel Shift Resolution feature. Unique modular design including three interchangeable hand grips of different sizes. Fast viewfinder autofocus tracking, clocking in at 0.31 seconds. Strong feature set featuring integrated Wi-Fi, a built-in pop-up flash, and a tilting 3-inch monitor. Cons: Exceptionally slow Live...