The latest toys arrived yesterday. I had to entertain guests so it was until late when I got to my new camera.
Some super early impressions that I got handling the camera without a memory card in the dark.
Some super early impressions that I got handling the camera without a memory card in the dark.
- The body is as compact as the reviews let you to know, but it's still way more compact than you'd expect.
- Better built also.
- (Coming from FX Nikon) the viewfinder is small. There's probably little hope focusing manual lenses without the camera's electronical help.
- The live view is smooth and responsive, more so than what Panasonic's mirrorless cameras do?
- I also happened by the tracking autofocus in live view. It appears to do a decent job. With what accuracy, I don't know though.
- Weird omissions in menu navigation usability. No biggie but feels weird that they chose to omit a sensible idea that every other manufacturer has.
- It's endearing that the zoom steps in picture review are factors of √2, just like lens apertures.
- Very well built, did I mention great build? Nikon Df has trouble matching the KP.
- I put the camera to a real stress test in near pitch black conditions and where Nikon Df would have given up a lot more lit conditions (with a comparable f/3.5-5.6 lens) Pentax was autofocusing its f/3.5-4.5 lens very handily indeed. With the focusing aid light (very green, very flashy) it doesn't really care if it's day or night, without the light it's still well ahead of Nikon. Very well ahead.
- Focus accuracy is to be determined, this positive impression concerns only the behavior "in the field", in super dark conditions.
- Where I couldn't possibly mind Nikon's screwdrive motor noise, Pentax is screwing around super swiftly indeed, and is subsequently producing much more noise than expected.
- The shutter + mirror slap is also unexpectedly loud, coming from a small camera body.
- At the settings I received KP the focus dots don't show up in the viewfinder, only at focus confirmation a flash of red shows where I'm aiming. I hope I can set up the center dot at least visible.