Pentax K-01 announced

Don’t really know what to think about it yet. It’s sort of boxy and a bit industrial. Confidently executed design, but it’s not elegant. Not small. In fact, once you put a decent size lens on it can’t be that much smaller than a one of the more compact DSLRs. It might grow on me if it produces good video, which is what I would be interested in. Has a mic jack (good) but fixed LCD (not so good). Haven’t seen video bitrates specified yet – only ‘good, better, best’. Useful range of frame rate options but no 60p/50p in full HD. Convenient if you already have a good stock of K mount lenses, which I don’t. If you already have a range of K mount lenses it would be entertaining trying them all out on this camera. The forthcoming Olympus OM-D will surely be a direct competitor, although I believe this Pentax will cost less by some margin. Sensor has a good reputation. For enthusiasts/prosumers (it’s not cheap so can’t see your average consumer point and shooter buying it) it will stand or fall on image quality. If it convinces on image quality it might be successful despite its controversial looks and size. Look forward to seeing some well shot video.
 
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Without a headphone jack, 1080/60p, an EVF, or even a flip-out LCD, nothing revolutionary here (I do like the yellow one, and the $749 price, though ;-)).

On the other hand, what's nice about it, and why it's very interesting, is that there is already a healthy DSLR lens ecosystem for it - to include relatively inexpensive glass from Tamron and Sigma.

I certainly hope that Nikon and Canon follow Pentax's lead here!
 
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Need to see some tests first, but the more I research into this camera the more tempting it is for video. The K-5 sensor, which I believe the K-01 sensor is derived from, performs very well. There are plenty of good used Pentax lenses on ebay to cover just about any situation, and as the stabilisation is built-in to the camera, no major worries. It's cheaper than some comparable micro 4/3 cameras as things stand. I would try a Flipbac 3" Angle Viewfinder as the LCD panel is fixed. You can then shoot at waist level, but the image will be upside down. I reckon I could get used to that.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flipbac-Vie...KO/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1328878773&sr=8-14

Reading some of the extreme reactions on various forums about this camera makes you realise how conservative photographers/videographers can be. I'm just hoping comprehensive testing will show it is well worth taking seriously.
 
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