Built by Ricoh, here is their first ever D-SLR full frame. As Pentax was my first ever SLR camera, many moons ago, it is awesome news that they are back in the market. The Good It may not be up there with the top Sony, Nikon & Canons, but the images produced are of a professional quality - helped by...

As far as the image quality goes, it surely delivers. You'll need to work with the files more than you do a Canon, Nikon, or Sony camera's output. But you'll get the hang of it.

Perfect fullmatare, finally Pentax!

Pentax intended its first digital SLR to be a full-fame model. A prototype based around a 6-megapixel Phillips CCD sensor was shown as early as 2001 , but it never came to market-some have speculated it was due to the poor performance.

36-megapixel full-frame image sensor; Innovative controls and features; Bright optical viewfinder; Articulated rear display; 5-axis in-body image stabilization; GPS with Astrotracer; Pixel Shift high-resolution mode; Wi-Fi; Weather-sealed design; Vertical shooting grip available; Aggressive pricing

Autofocus struggles with fast-moving subjects; Limited Raw shooting buffer; Modest 4.4fps shooting rate; So-so video quality; Omits in-camera flash

Pentax intended its first digital SLR to be a full-fame model. A prototype based around a 6-megapixel Phillips CCD sensor was shown as early as 2001, but it never came to market—some have speculated it was due to the poor performance. So when the company released its first DSLR in 2003, the *ist D, it was an APS-C camera. But now, after a couple of sales of the company itself—first to Hoya and later to current parent Ricoh—Pentaxians finally have a full-frame body. The K-1 ($1,799.95, body only) sports a 36MP image sensor, in-body stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi, and some innovative ergonomics that make it a joy to shoot with. And its price point is atractive, given its capabilities. But it's not a perfect camera. Action shooters will be disappointed by an autofocus system that struggles to keep up with moving targets, a Wi-Fi companion app in serious need of a redesign, and so-so video capabilities. These missteps keep the K-1 from earning a higher rating, though it's still a very ...

The long-awaited full-frame Pentax K-1 camera delivers superb image quality, but its frame rate and autofocus system will disappoint action photographers.

36-megapixel full-frame image sensor; Innovative controls and features; Bright optical viewfinder; Articulated rear display; 5-axis in-body image stabilization; GPS with Astrotracer; Pixel Shift high-resolution mode; Wi-Fi; Weather-sealed design; Vertical shooting grip available; Aggressive pricing

Autofocus struggles with fast-moving subjects; Limited Raw shooting buffer; Modest 4.4fps shooting rate; So-so video quality; Omits in-camera flash

For years, it seemed doubtful that a full-frame Pentax DSLR would ever materialise. But now that it's here, the focus has moved to what it represents in an ever-expanding sector.

Excellent image quality; superb resolution and dynamic range, High features-to-price ratio, Excellent handling with many physical controls, One of the most flexible LCD displays around

Occasional auto white balance inconsistencies; Video options not as comprehensive as those on other cameras; Artefacts visible in certain Pixel Shift Resolution images; Continuous focus doesn't track quite as well as other systems

Full frame fanciness; Superb stills in the studio; Small and tough – won’t give up in wet weather;

Not fast enough for action snaps; Needs light to look its best;

Full-frame on a budget, but with plenty of caveats stopping it being a full-framer for the masses.

Full frame fanciness; Superb stills in the studio; Small and tough - won't give up in wet weather

Not fast enough for action snaps; Needs light to look its best

It's been long, long overdue. But the time has come: Pentax has finally created a full-frame DSLR, the K-1. And at ￡1,600 this 36-megapixel monster is one competitively priced camera, certain to help Pentax make its mark in an already fiercely contested market.

Great full-frame image quality; an abundance of clever modes (5-axis stabilisation sensor; used for Horizon Correction; Pixel Shift Resolution; Astrotracer); flex-tilt monitor leads the way in its field; it's a bargain

Lens selection more limited than Canon/Nikon (or just harder to source); autofocus system not as on point as the competition; 4.8fps isn't as fast as competition either; no touchscreen

That used to be the common consensus, but now there's a third way - and it comes from one of the oldest camera brands in the world.