When Ricoh made the recent announcement that it had discontinued all current Pentax DSLR lineups for an “entirely new” digital SLR concept, the company also announced that this new mystery camera, potentially cameras, would allow more people to “enjoy the act of taking pictures itself”.

To me, this wording sounds like the DSLR die-hard manufacturer is cooking up something beginner-friendly. Not only that, while the Pentax parent company didn't state anything about medium format in the announcement, it also gave me these vibes.

Now I don’t know about you, but when I think about the “act of taking photos” and enjoying the “process of photography” itself – also written on the announcement – I think about old-school photography.

And I don’t just mean shooting on film and spending time in the darkroom. I also mean the whole idea of crafting a photo, you know, being completely immersed in the moment, instead of firing off a handful of frames in just a few seconds.

Of course, just like a full-frame Sony Alpha or Canon EOS, a digital medium-format camera can do that. But, to me, this sensor format, which is geared toward blowing up images as high-quality prints, is all about encouraging a slower pace of photography, one that can be appreciated by all.

Admittedly, I’m primarily going by gut instinct here. But I don’t think it’s a complete long shot when you also consider that medium-format sales have flourished in recent years. Take Fujifilm and Hasselblad, the two main medium-format players, as prime examples.

The former captured and continues to hold a big slice of the medium-format market since entering it with the GFX 50S in 2017. Meanwhile, Hasselblad has seen record revenues since being taken over by DJI that same year.

Since then its revenues have consistently grown, leading to an all-time high of $325.9 million (approximately £244 million / AU$458 million) in 2025, thanks to new releases, including the highly successful 100MP X2D II 100C.

There is, however, an obvious elephant in the room: Ricoh has previously released DSLR medium-format cameras. These came in the form of the Pentax 645D, released in 2010 with a price tag of $9,999, and the Pentax 645Z, which came out four years later for slightly less at $8,499.

Although, I would still consider a super-easy-to-use and cheap medium-format Pentax – perhaps with some kind of built-in smartphone control too – as being a “new concept”.

And I think it could capture a whole range of less experienced enthusiasts who don’t want to pay the typical medium-format mega bucks, but who want the true photographic experience.

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Here’s our take of the best medium format cameras. With these megapixel monsters, you’ll capture unbelievably high-quality images.

After 23 years, the Pentax K series of DSLRs has met its end. The camera maker that has stubbornly clung to the DSLR in the mirrorless era says that another “completely new concept digital SLR camera” is coming, but production for all K-series DSLRs has officially ended.

However, Pentax isn’t just unusual in that the brand remains committed to DSLRs – the K-mount was home to some of the most unusual camera features. Pentax wasn’t afraid to break the unwritten rules of cameras, breaking traditions from the color of cameras to unheard-of features.

In honor of the end of the Pentax K series of DSLRs, these are some of the strangest, wackiest and wonderfully rare features over the last 23 years.

A lens mount that hasn’t changed

In the transition from film to digital, many camera makers changed the lens mount. While the Nikon F and Canon’s later film-era EF mount also survived the transition, the Pentax K-mount has persisted for more than 50 years. (That, notably, doesn't beat the Leica M mount launched in 1959, which is still used today).

Any Pentax DSLR can mount nearly any K-Mount film camera lens without the need for an adapter. Even the in-body stabilization works with old film lenses.

While Pentax has discontinued the K series of DSLRs, the company says that the next DSLR will keep that same mount – so its longevity is expected to continue.

Sensor stabilization inside a DSLR

One of the key advantages of switching from a DSLR to mirrorless is in-body image stabilization – except Pentax has had stabilization inside its DSLRs since the K100D and K10D in 2006.

Stabilization inside a DSLR is rare because the camera’s mirror-centered design made building a stabilization system inside the body difficult, leading to many camera makers opting for stabilized lenses instead. Pentax was a notable exception (along with some Sony DSLRs).

A sensor that could move with the stars

Pentax’s stabilized sensor powered another rather unusual feature: the ability to ”follow” the stars. The rotation of the Earth will blur long exposures of the night sky into star trails without complex astro-tracing equipment, which moves the camera in time with the planet's rotation.

But Pentax used GPS (global positioning system) technology in tune with the image stabilization, in order to move the sensor in line with the stars – creating a built-in astrotracer. Some models required an external GPS accessory for this to work, while cameras like the K-3 Mark III didn’t require any external help.

Intentionally shaking the camera sensor

Pentax’s stabilization system may have been built to avoid camera shake, but it could also do the opposite and intentionally add blur. Pentax’s anti-aliasing filter simulator was designed to correct moiré, a distortion of fine patterns created by a digital camera’s grid of colors that enables the camera to see in color.

Unlike the more traditional optical moiré correction, because Pentax’s version was sensor-based, it could be turned on and off when needed.

A camera with a modular grip

Smaller grips make a camera more portable, but larger grips are more comfortable for shooting heavy telephoto lenses. Back in 2017, Pentax created a camera that could adapt the grip to the shooting scenario.

The Pentax KP used a modular grip system. Grips came in three sizes – small, medium and large – and could be swapped out depending on the situation. The swappability also enabled photographers to customize their cameras to better fit their hand size.

A camera with 100 different possible color combinations

Pentax really questioned the notion that most cameras are black with the Pentax K-x. Launched in 2009, the camera was sold in four different colors – but in Japan, photographers could choose from twenty different body colors and five different grip colors, creating a hundred possible color combinations.

Pentax’s colorful camera history also can’t go without a mention of the Pentax K-r Korejanai, a special edition that only offered 100 units in a colorful mix of red, blue, yellow, and gray, with a robot on the hot shoe slot.

A camera with color-coded grip lights

Speaking of colors, one of Pentax’s most unusual features was found on the K-S1: a bank of color-coded LED lights on the grip.

These lights changed color depending on the camera settings. Green was for still photos, red for video. When using face detection in Live View mode, the lights even light up with the number of faces detected in the frame.

A camera that couldn’t shoot color images

Cameras dedicated to black-and-white photography remove the color filter, creating a system that only shoots in monochrome while also decreasing noise.

While Kodak had an earlier, rare option, the Pentax K-3 III Monochrome is considered to be the only widely available dedicated black-and-white DSLR, launched in 2023.

Weather-sealing shouldn’t be exclusive to high-end cameras

One of the features that Pentax’s DSLRs are known for is weather-sealing, but the company also brought the feature down even to entry-level cameras.

Enthusiast-grade bodies like the K-30, K-50, K-3S, and KF were weather-sealed at a time when most camera makers reserved the feature for high-end bodies.

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Browse the best DSLRs or the best Pentax cameras.

Looking for a rugged, waterproof, and adventure-ready compact camera for your next hike, five, ski, or biking excursion? Two great budget outdoor cameras are now available at a discount from Amazon.

The Ricoh Pentax WG-8 in green is now just £429 on Amazon – you save £55.99 off its original £479.99 price.

The OM System Tough TG-7 in red is now just £398.98 on Amazon – you save £100.02 off its RRP of £499.

• The Ricoh Pentax WG-8 in black was £479.99, now £441.28 on Amazon

• The OM System Tough TG-7 in black was £499 and is now £416.59 on Amazon

Ricoh Pentax WG-8

A real Captain Scarlet of a compact camera

The Pentax WG-8 is built tough to survive water, dust, drops, freezing temps – you name it. It's perfect if you want a camera that's truly adventure-proof, without spending big. With a 20MP sensor and 5x optical zoom (approx. 28-140mm in 35mm terms).

It shoots decent photos and 4k video at 30fps. It also shines in ultra-close-up shots, and it performs well underwater and in extreme conditions where other cameras might fail. It's a solid budget-friendly choice for anyone needing a tough, reliable camera for travel.

OM System Tough TG-7

Indestructible camera, impressive results

The OM System Tough TG-7 is built to be a companion on any adventure. It's waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof, so you never have to worry about weather or terrain. Sure, its 12MP sensor is smaller than some other cameras, but that actually helps underwater photos by capturing more light where it's often dim. Plus, it shoots RAW and bursts up to 20fps – perfect for catching fast moments.

The TG-7 has a handy 4x zoom (approx. 25-100mm in 35mm terms) with a bright aperture and a standout macro mode that lets you snap amazing close-ups and 4K video. It's simple, durable, and versatile – the perfect point-and-shoot to toss in your bag when you need a reliable camera that won't quit.

Discover more and browse the best travel cameras, best compact cameras and best point and shoot cameras

Only yesterday I wrote an article claiming that people still want full-frame DSLR cameras, and now Pentax & Ricoh Rumors has highlighted data from the BCN Award 2026 whereby Ricoh’s domestic Japanese DSLR market share has gone from 9.7% to 17.7%. And while that’s good news for a camera company that’s still supposedly developing DSLR cameras, it’s not necessarily an indicator of renewed interest in DSLR tech.

Canon and Nikon still command the largest market shares, with 44.3% and 38% respectively, but it’s not exactly surprising that their grip has relaxed slightly. After all, neither manufacturer is actively pursuing new DSLR releases, and despite many Canon and Nikon DSLRs still being available to buy new, both appear to be quietly winding down production, with the mighty Canon EOS 5D Mark IV being the latest high-profile DSLR to be officially discontinued. Canon Rumors also references the fact that “the DSLR market shrank dramatically last year”. With all of that in mind, it’s not surprising that Ricoh is mopping up a little more market share.

What about other camera formats?

When it comes to mirrorless market share, BCN’s statistics have Sony on top with 29.9%, Canon slightly behind at 27.4%, and Nikon trailing at 15.1%. Nothing overly surprising there.

When it comes to compact cameras, or what BCN calls the digital camera (integrated lens) department, I was surprised that Kodak comfortably beat Fujifilm at 24% and 13.9% respectively, with Kenko Tokina at 13.3%.

So, there you have it. Pentax reaches for more DSLR market share, but that’s likely because Canon and Nikon’s attention is elsewhere.

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Check out the best Pentax cameras and the best Sony cameras. I’m a camera expert: Photographer calls APS-C vs full-frame “different looks,” and it changed my whole perspective.

As major camera brands shifted to mirrorless, Pentax has remained, perhaps a bit stubbornly, committed to the longstanding DSLR. But now, Pentax has discontinued production of every DSLR in its lineup – in order to make way for the development of “a new series of digital SLR cameras based on an entirely new concept.”

In an announcement shared on September 09, Ricoh announced that it is discontinuing production of all Pentax K-series DSLRs “in preparation for our transition to a new stage.”

The announcement reads: “Currently, we are re-examining the value of photography and developing a product that will allow more people to enjoy the act of taking pictures itself.

“It will still take some time before this product is released, but it will be a completely new concept digital SLR camera that will make full use of the assets of K-mount lenses that we have accumulated over more than half a century.”

Ricoh did not drop many hints as to what that “completely new concept digital SLR camera” will be, but made it clear that it will use the existing K-Mount lenses, will honor the SLR design and will be a digital – not film – camera.

A “completely new” concept built around the DSLR that has been around for 35 years will not be an easy task. The Pentax K-series originally launched in 2003. While the company remained committed to DSLRs as the biggest brands went mirrorless, the more recent Pentax cameras were known for sensor-shift stabilization – a design that also powered an unusual astrotracer feature.

The company’s comments also seem to hint that the upcoming DSLR will also be beginner-friendly:

“At Ricoh Imaging, we will continue to pursue the ideal style of SLR photography, and we want to deliver products that allow everyone who is interested in photography and wants to try using a camera to experience the joy of SLR photography and the wonder of photographs.”

The “joy of SLR photography” hints that Pentax’s upcoming “new concept” DSLR will likely be built heavily around the shooting experience. The idea that a camera should be fun to shoot is a growing concept amid the rise of screen-free cameras and retro camera designs. More smartphone users seem to be drawn to the idea of having a dedicated camera without the distractions of a smartphone.

While the DSLR now lags behind mirrorless technology in terms of features like resolution and subject detection autofocus, one of the DSLR’s endearing features is the optical viewfinder, rather than the mirrorless’ electronic one. The viewfinder is in the very definition of DSLR – digital single-lens reflex – as “reflex” refers to the reflex mirror that bounces the image from the lens up into the viewfinder.

With the rise of screen-free cameras and retro designs, perhaps the optical viewfinder could be poised for a comeback. But, the company is stressing that the upcoming camera will be “a completely new concept,” and new digital cameras inspired by old film cameras certainly are something that’s been done before – no matter how happy I would be to see a digital remake of the Pentax K1000.

The Ricoh brand certainly isn’t a stranger to creating a highly successful line of niche cameras. The Ricoh GR IV series of APS-C sensor compact cameras has repeatedly hit bestseller lists and sells so well that stock remains limited. But the launch was also perfectly timed amid the growing compact camera trend.

While Pentax is not the only camera maker still producing DSLRs, the brand was along in insisting that it wouldn’t move into the mirrorless space. (Or, at least, not again, as Pentax once offered the small-sensor Pentax Q mirrorless series).

Despite remaining committed to the DSLR, numbers from Japan hint that Pentax only shipped around 10,000 DSLRs last year compared to industry leader Canon’s 580,000 – a number that pales in comparison to Canon’s 2.3 million mirrorless cameras shipped.

DSLRs have been steadily declining over the last few years. In 2025, the number of DSLRs shipped out of Japan was just 11% of that of mirrorless cameras.

Pentax noted that the new concept DSLR “will take some time” and did not give an estimated arrival for the new launch.

While Pentax has now ended production of its K-series of cameras, the announcement does not include other non-DSLR cameras, like the Pentax WG-8 waterproof compact camera and the Pentax 17 half-frame film camera.

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Browse the best Pentax cameras – or read about buying used cameras as Pentax DSLRs become hard to find new.

It’s like I always say: “You can’t put a good full-frame DSLR down!” Despite mirrorless cameras dominating the interchangeable-lens market, people are still buying up full-frame DSLR cameras. And while many have disappeared from the shelves of official retailers completely, a select few stalwarts are still available to buy new.

And it’s not hard to see why. The best DSLR cameras are reliable and of high quality, and in the case of Canon and Nikon especially, they open you up to a veritable smorgasbord of used lenses that you can pick up for some very low prices indeed. If you’re a photographer on a budget looking for a decent lens platform, a full-frame DSLR may still be the way to go.

It’s true that a lot of DSLR tech now lags behind mirrorless offerings, such as burst speeds, autofocus and video, but provided you’re happy with the resolution, image quality has remained largely unchanged, and plenty of full-frame DSLRs boast premium pro-grade features such as extensive weather sealing and optional battery grips.

Personally, if you’re working on a budget and want to pick up a full-frame DSLR, my recommendation would be to visit a reputable used retailer such as KEH (US), MPB (US/UK) or LCE (UK). That’s because even very good condition used DSLRs tend to be a lot cheaper than new retail prices.

What full-frame DSLRs can you buy new?

I decided to look at US retailer B&H Photo and UK retailer Wex Photo Video to find out what full-frame DSLRs are still available to buy new, and I was surprised by the choice.

Even though some of the models, such as the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Nikon D750, have been officially discontinued, stock is still lingering on shelves in some cases. My own personal favorite DSLR of all time is the Nikon D850, a camera I used to own and in my mind – and in the mind of many others – one of the greatest cameras ever made.

Ultimately, we really are in the twilight years of the DSLR. As it stands, Pentax remains the last bastion of modern DSLR development, with both Canon and Nikon having quietly shelved DSLR development in favor of a mirrorless future. Still, if you’re a stills photographer first and foremost and don’t need all of the cutting-edge tech, you could do a lot worse than a full-frame DSLR and a good set of compatible lenses.

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Want more camera buying guides? Take a look at the best Canon cameras and the best Nikon cameras, as well as the best Pentax cameras.

Despite the mirrorless camera takeover, DSLRs are still popular with amateur and professional photographers – and Pentax remains one of the few brands keeping the format alive.

Now, however, one of its cult favorite cameras appears to be on the way out. The Pentax K-1 Mark II, a 36MP full-frame DSLR, is now marked as "discontinued" by multiple major retailers in Japan.

While Ricoh has yet to confirm global discontinuation officially, this follows the earlier disappearance of the K1 Mark II 28-105mm lens kit. In the past, Ricoh often hasn't issued a formal announcement; instead, its products just quietly left the market.

While Canon and Nikon moved much of their focus to mirrorless, Pentax always remained a compelling alternative for photographers who prefer the traditional DSLR experience.

Saying this, the brand ended the production of multiple models in a relatively short amount of time. First it was the Pentax K-3 Mark II, followed by the Monochrome version in March 2026.

Current availability & prices

So, for anyone considering a K-1 Mark II, now is a good time to buy a brand-new DSLR rather than relying on the second-hand market, which could become the only option if global stock continues to shrink.

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Browse the best Pentax cameras and the best Pentax lenses. Also, take a look at the best DSLRs and the best full-frame DSLRs.

The latest cameras often come with anything but an affordable price tag, which is one reason buying used remains so popular. New data from Japanese camera marketplace Minna Camera shows that demand for some older cameras is pushing their used prices higher.

Of the 32 models with a clear price movement during the first half of 2026, 28 increased in price – around 88%. The biggest rise was a striking 24.1%, while even the tenth-placed camera increased by 7.8%.

The top spot goes to a discontinued DSLR released in 2016, the Nikon D5600, while the rest of the top 10 is made up of a trio of compacts and twice as many mirrorless cameras. The second-biggest rise came from the Sony A7 IV, which increased by 11.9%, while the Ricoh GR III followed at 10.9%

Top 10 cameras that rose most in price at Minna Cameras (H1 2026)*

*Used cameras price: Q1 avg → Q2 avg; discontinuation status and approx. used prices in USD and GBP added by Digital Camera World.

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Browse the best mirrorless cameras, the best DSLRs and the best compact cameras.

For photographers who want something tougher than a regular point-and-shoot, there are surprisingly few options. Now, one of the most capable compact cameras for taking into the wild could be disappearing from the market – although there may be good news for anyone wanting something better.

The Pentax WG-90 is reportedly being discontinued, with remaining stock becoming increasingly difficult to find. According a new report, the manufacturer has informed authorized dealers that the camera is discontinued and that a new model could be announced at the end of the year.

The WG-90 entered the market in February 2024 and was described in DCW's review as "the compact camera you can take ANYWHERE" – and for good reason. It can go places that conventional compacts can't, from the water and sand to mud, freezing temperatures and desert heat. It survives conditions that would leave most point-and-shoots struggling.

One of the best waterproof cameras & compact cameras could be disappearing

While there's no official confirmation, Pentax & Ricoh Rumors reports that it received information saying the WG-90 is now discontinued and that a new model will be announced at the end of the year. The report also claims that this information was sent to authorized dealers.

Pentax & Ricoh Rumors is a trusted source, making this a development worth watching.

Availability: Pentax Ricoh WG-90

A new extreme compact camera is on the horizon

If the report proves accurate, a new rugged compact could be announced later this year.

The WG-90 itself was a refreshed version of the earlier WG-80, with the two cameras sharing almost identical specifications. The main difference was the available color options, which strengthens the hope of a genuinely new-generation model.

A successor could be an opportunity for Ricoh (owner of the Pentax brand) to push the concept further. As DCW's Editor in Chief James Artaius noted in his review, the WG-90's video quality is a weak point, while the rear screen could also benefit from a higher resolution.

But for stills photography, the camera does what it was designed to do: provide a simple shooting experience in places where most cameras wouldn't dare to go.

For now, we'll have to wait for official confirmation from Ricoh.

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Browse the best waterproof cameras, the best compact cameras, and the best point-and-shoot cameras.

First introduced in 1972, Kodak’s “Pocket Instamatic” 110 film cameras proved remarkably popular. It quickly became one of the most successful film formats ever introduced, with dozens of manufacturers – including Canon, Minolta, Pentax and Olympus – producing 110 cameras.

What they gave up in image quality, they more than made up for in convenience. They were small, light and easily carried anywhere.

At its peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s, hundreds of millions of 110 film cartridges were sold annually, making it one of the dominant amateur photography formats of its era. But the 110 format soon acquired a reputation for mediocre results.

This came about from a combination of inexpensive (often plastic) lenses, necessitated by the low price of most 110 cameras, along with the amount of magnification needed to make standard prints (because of the tiny 13x17mm negative), even though the 110 negative was about twice the area of the later, short-lived, Kodak Disc cameras.

Not to mention the problems of keeping the film perfectly flat, given the inherent variability of the injection-molded, plastic film cartridge… However, a few companies set out to prove that reputation was not deserved, and to a large extent, succeeded.

First to arrive, in 1976, was the Minolta 110 Zoom SLR, with its distinctive, horizontal design and a fixed 25-50mm f/4.5 zoom lens. Though compact, it was still somewhat larger than the Asahi Pentax 110 Auto that would come almost two years later.

The 110 Auto proved to be the smallest interchangeable lens SLR camera ever made – for any format, by anybody.

It had TTL center-weighted metering and a programmed electronic shutter ranging from 1 sec to 1/400 sec, needing two LR44 batteries to function. It could also be bought as the "System 10," which included the full kit of lenses (18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm and, in 1982, a 20-40mm f/2.8 zoom), dedicated AF130P / AF100P flashes and an auto-winder.

It was followed in 1982 by the 110 Super, which improved upon the original 1978 Auto 110 with several key upgrades: a single-stroke film advance lever, an electronic self-timer with a red LED indicator, a shutter lock and a +1.5 EV exposure compensation button for backlit scenes.

It also featured a brighter viewfinder with a split-image focusing spot and a low-light warning LED. Remarkable, for a 164g camera just 99 x 58 x 32mm in size.

I had the opportunity to play with a Pentax 110 Auto for some weeks, while I sold it for a friend. I didn’t run any film through it, but I was impressed with the quality of the build and finish. Absolutely remarkable! And I admit, I rather regret not purchasing it myself.

One interesting fact: the Pentax Auto 110's excellent interchangeable lenses were capable of resolving much more detail than the 110 negative could usually record, which is one reason Auto 110 photographs can look surprisingly sharp when carefully scanned today.

The Pentax 110 Super was discontinued in 1985, as the 110 format lost market share to ever-more-compact 35mm cameras that offered sharper pictures. Because of this there were roughly 80,000 Supers produced, whereas the 110 Auto saw approximately 1.1 million being made.

Kodak discontinued Ektachrome and Kodachrome 110 slide films in 1982. Verichrome Pan (B&W) went in 1995 while Kodacolor 110 survived until 2006, leaving Fujifilm as the only mainstream maker. It would then give up production of 110 films in 2009, seemingly ending the format forever…

However, in 2011 Lomography started slitting larger film and packaging it into new 110 cartridges, with Lomography's Orca 110 B&W ISO100 reaching the market in May 2012.

Around the same time, Fukkatsu 110 film was produced by a small group associated with the now long-gone 'Films Reborn' in Hong Kong. It briefly appeared in ISO 100 B&W and ISO400 color in pre-loaded 110 cartridges, but by mid-2012 it was being described as “gone / vanished.”

Today, 110 film can still be purchased by mail from Lomography – but it is about the only source. That said, it's possible for truly dedicated fans to repackage 16mm film into recycled 110 cassettes at home – though it is a job for only the most ambitious of fans.

Read more of David Young's ongoing series on classic cameras, as well as his book A Brief History of Photography.

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The long wait for a new DSLR could will soon be over, as production on the latest Pentax camera is now "in progress".

A report from a renowned insider in Japan reveals that the much-anticipated DSLR isn't just a camera rumor or a project on a drawing board, but has actively entered the production phase.

While a timeline for launch can't be inferred, it's certainly conceivable that we could see the new product – widely expected to be a successor to the Pentax K-1 Mark II full-frame flagship – later in 2026.

"The new camera is not only a speculation or still a project. The production is in process."

That's was posted to social media by Kimio Tanaka (as shared by Pentax Rumors), a Ricoh/Pentax insider who has previously shared ominously on-the-money information about the company's plans and products.

Pentax has repeatedly reiterated, including as recently as April, that it remains committed to DSLR development and that a new model is on the way.

Again, it is generally expected that we will see a follow-up to 2018's K-1 Mark II, the company's flagship camera. However, given that 2021's Pentax K-3 Mark III and 2023's K-3 Mark III Monochrome have recently been discontinued, it's also possible that we could be looking at an APS-C release.

Pentax is making cameras for an incredibly niche audience at this stage. As Canon told me earlier this year, DSLRs only account for 10% of camera sales these days, which is about 700,000 units – and some 620,000 of those are sold by Canon.

If we're very generous and say that the remainder is split evenly with Nikon, that means there are only 40,000 Pentax DSLR customers. Do they want another bulky full-frame DSLR or do they want a more compact APS-C offering?

Personally, I'd love to see a K-3 Mark III – and Pentax's hints in recent years certainly suggest that it's working on a full-frame body. But Pentax has also hinted at projects like a fully manual camera, so it wouldn't surprise me if the company came out with something completely leftfield.

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Check out the best Pentax cameras, which comprises some of the best DSLRs you can still buy.

The Ricoh-owned Pentax is one of the few camera companies still committed to DSLRs – but it’s the popularity of Ricoh’s cult-favorite compact camera that’s behind the company’s latest growth. The Ricoh GR series is the main driver behind a return to profitability for the company’s segment that includes imaging, the Japan-based company said in its latest financial report on August 03.

The Ricoh GR series has long been a favorite as a pocketable street photography camera that hides a larger APS-C inside a body that looks like a basic point-and-shoot. But the long-awaited Ricoh GR IV arrived in September 2025 amid a growing trend for compact cameras – and the mix is proving to be a popular one.

Ricoh’s cameras fall under the “Other” category in the company’s financial reports – and with that category not exclusive to imaging, the company’s financial reports don’t often indicate how well cameras are selling. But the company’s latest report attributes significant growth to the category to strong camera sales.

Compared to the first quarter of 2025 – when the Ricoh GR IV had yet to launch – the category that includes cameras has shifted from a negative 1.4 billion yen ($8.9 million / £6.6 million / 12.6 million / CA$12.5 million) operating profit to a positive .3 billion yen ($1.9 million / £1.4 million / AU$2.7 million / CA$2.68 million).

“The camera business continued to perform strongly, driven mainly by the RICOH GR series, resulting in higher sales and profit,” said Director and CFO Takashi Kawaguchi.

Excluding the impact of currency exchange, sales were up by 27.7 percent in the “other” category over the same time last year, Ricoh said.

While the GR IV series is a key highlight for Ricoh, the last few months haven’t been without their challenges – and the company noted potential price changes – but didn’t specify which products – amid increasing costs for memory driven by AI demand. “At the same time, we will mitigate cost increases stemming from rising prices of semiconductor memory, petroleum-related materials, and other inputs through pricing measures and reviews of our cost structure,” Kawaguchi said in the report.

The Ricoh GR IV that launched in September 2025 was just the start of a fresh wave of models for the popular series. That initial launch has already been followed by the Ricoh GR IV HDF – which gives the pocketable camera a built-in diffusion filter – and the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome, a pocketable camera dedicated entirely to black-and-white photography.

The Ricoh GR IV arrived in a rapidly growing list of new compact cameras – yet the series is one of the few advanced compact series that fit an APS-C sensor into a truly pocketable body. The camera’s mix of size and image quality immediately won me over. The camera’s burst speed and video specs may lag behind, but the GR IV is rare in its ability to cram an APS-C sensor into a compact camera that weighs just 262g / 9.2 oz.

When I tried Ricoh’s dedicated black-and-white camera, I was surprised by the low-light boost skipping the colored filters gives the camera – and I could immediately see the compact camera being a favorite for documentary-style work.

If the company’s latest report is any indication, I’m not the only one enamoured with the GR IV series.

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Compare the differences between the Ricoh GR series cameras. Or, browse the best APS-C compact cameras.

Both Ricoh and Pentax cameras have come from the same company for fifteen years – but now records suggest Ricoh doesn’t just own the Pentax line of DSLRs and lenses, but the rights to the Pentax name itself.

When Ricoh bought Pentax in 2011, Hoya retained ownership of the Pentax name and licensed the name to Ricoh. But, record databases are now showing that Ricoh, not Hoya, owns the Pentax brand for cameras and lenses.

The change in licensing ownership was first spotted and shared in a photography forum, but both the WIPO global database and USPTO US trademark search confirm Ricoh as the record holder for Pentax digital still cameras.

The record change may seem insignificant given that Ricoh-Pentax cameras have come from the same company for over a decade. But the fact that the Pentax name was under a license agreement sparked its share of concerns and rumors over the years.

In 2019, one particular rumor said that Ricoh’s license would expire in 2020, causing panic and speculation over what that would mean for Pentax cameras. Ricoh quickly debunked those rumors with a public statement confirming that Hoya owned the trademark, but that there weren’t restrictions or limitations in place.

Now, trademark databases show that Ricoh owns not just the Pentax camera business but the rights to use the Pentax name itself – at least on cameras and lenses anyway, as Hoya still has the rights to the Pentax brand for eyeglass lenses and medical equipment.

While both Ricoh and Pentax cameras come from the same company, Ricoh continues to use the Pentax name on DSLRs, lenses, waterproof compact cameras, and the Pentax 17 half-frame film camera, where the popular GR-series of compact cameras carries the Ricoh name.

Pentax is one of the few camera brands still producing DSLRs. However, the company’s latest DSLRs – the Pentax K-3 Mark III announced in 2021, and the K-3 Mark III Monochrome from 2023 – were discontinued in Japan earlier this year. The Pentax K-1 Mark II and KF remain available on the official Ricoh US website.

Hoya bought Pentax in 2007 from Pentax Corporation, later selling the company’s photography division to Ricoh in 2011.

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The DSLR market has lost another of its remaining beginner-friendly options. The Pentax KF is now listed as "Discontinued" by major US camera retailer B&H, following earlier reports that Japanese retailers had also marked the camera as discontinued.

The latest development does not come with an official announcement from Ricoh Imaging, but the retailer listing states that the Pentax KF reached the end of its availability.

Launched in November 2022, the Pentax KF was one of the few modern entry-level DSLRs still available to buy new. While most camera manufacturers have moved almost entirely to mirrorless systems, Ricoh remains the last major company continuing to support the DSLR format, making the KF one of the most accessible ways for beginners and enthusiasts to enter the Pentax system.

Pentax availability continues to decline

The latest B&H listing follows earlier warning signs from Japan, where retailers including Map Camera classified the Pentax KF as a discontinued product.

At the time, availability across other markets had already become inconsistent, with some stores showing limited stock, backorders or removed listings.

Retailer changes often provide early clues about a camera's lifecycle before a manufacturer makes an official announcement. That follows several other signs for Pentax users in recent months.

In January 2026, production of the Pentax K-3 Mark III ended, while retailers also listed the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome as discontinued in February. More recently, signs emerged that the Pentax K-1 Mark II could be nearing the end of its lifecycle after one of its kit bundles disappeared from retailers.

Why photographers like the Pentax KF

For beginners and enthusiasts, the Pentax KF offered something increasingly rare in the modern camera market: a rugged, affordable DSLR designed for real-world photography.

The camera features a 24.2MP APS-C sensor, 4.5-stop in-body stabilization, a vari-angle LCD screen, built-in flash, and weather sealing.

It is also designed to operate in cold conditions down to 14°F (-10°C), making it particularly appealing for outdoor photographers.

In DCW's guide to the best Pentax cameras, we ranked the KF as the best Pentax DSLR for beginners thanks to its balance of price, durability and enthusiast-friendly features.

Although it does not compete directly with the latest mirrorless cameras for autofocus speed or video technology, the KF offers a shooting experience many photographers still value: an optical viewfinder, excellent handling, dependable construction and the tactile controls that DSLRs are known for.

Pentax KF availability

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Looking for a waterproof camera that can survive your next hiking trip, ski holiday, or beach adventure? While retro compact cameras are having a moment, rugged compacts remain the better choice for photographers who need a camera that can handle drops, dust, and water.

Unlike fashionable point-and-shoot cameras, the Pentax WG-8 ($426.95 / £429) and OM System Tough TG-7 ($549.99 / £449) are designed for use where camera phones and conventional compacts struggle.

Waterproof, shockproof, and freeze-proof, they're built for demanding adventures. Better still, both offer optical zoom lenses, dedicated macro modes and 4K video, making them far more versatile than an action camera alone.

Pentax WG-8

A real Captain Scarlet of a compact camera

The Pentax WG-8 is built tough to survive water, dust, drops, freezing temps – you name it.

It's perfect if you want a camera that's truly adventure-proof, without spending big. With a 20MP sensor and 5x optical zoom (approx. 28-140mm in 35mm terms).

It shoots decent photos and 4k video at 30fps. It also shines in ultra-close-up shots, and it performs well underwater and in extreme conditions where other cameras might fail.

It's a solid budget-friendly choice for anyone needing a tough, reliable camera for travel.

OM System Tough TG-7

Indestructable camera, impressive results

The OM System Tough TG-7 is built to be a companion on any adventure. It's waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof, so you never have to worry about weather or terrain.

Sure, its 12MP sensor is smaller than some other cameras, but that actually helps underwater photos by capturing more light where it's often dim. Plus, it shoots RAW and bursts up to 20fps – perfect for catching fast moments.

The TG-7 has a handy 4x zoom (approx. 25-100mm in 35mm terms) with a bright aperture and a standout macro mode that lets you snap amazing close-ups and 4K video.

It's simple, durable, and versatile – the perfect point-and-shoot to toss in your bag when you need a reliable camera that won't quit.

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Until the recent revival in the fortunes of the humble, fixed-lens compact camera, or point-and-shoot camera, it’s fair to assume that, for most of us, this type of pocket camera had disappeared completely. 

By the 2010s, we were all using smartphone cameras, and so most low-resolution, standalone snapshots with their 3x or 4x optical zooms were banished to a drawer or listed on eBay. The manufacturers themselves also contributed to the demise of compact cameras. As demand decreased, they simply stopped manufacturing them.

Or did they?

Well, not entirely. While the vast majority vanished from retail, the compact cameras that survived offered something smartphones did not. 

I’m talking toughened, waterproof compacts that could be covered in mud, dirt and sand and simply rinsed clean without damage. Or accidentally elbowed off a table onto a stone floor and avoid shattering into several pieces, thereby allowing image capture to continue. 

To test durability, and because I was feeling cavalier, I once packed an early Kodak ‘tough’ series camera in airplane hold luggage. It arrived at my destination with lens glass shattered; but that was very much the exception rather than the rule.

Through the period post-2015 when digital compacts were mostly nowhere to be seen, OM System, formerly Olympus, and Ricoh/Pentax continued to market shockproof, freezeproof and water-proof cameras, as opposed to action cameras. All around them, bog standard compacts sunk without trace. 

Successful models offering the ability to shoot pictures and videos in conditions that would have been wholly unsuitable for most smartphones included OM System’s TG-7, and the rugged WG series from Ricoh/Pentax. Recent notable examples have included the flagship Pentax WG-8 and the entry-level WG-1000. Other models still selling at the time of writing include the Pentax WG-90 and near outwardly identical Ricoh WG-80.

Such cameras have consistently catered to a dedicated, niche subset of the compact camera market for sure, but they kept it going when others found the going too tough. There were toughened compacts released by the likes of Nikon (the Coolpix AW series) and Fujifilm (FinePix XP), for example, but these also got abandoned.

Obviously, the rugged cameras that stayed the course did so not just because they were alternatives to trashing our phones, but because of the different user experience. If, like me, you’ve been snorkelling or diving with a toughened compact and experimented with the various underwater-enhanced modes, you’ll know exactly what I mean. OK, so I’m not going to get mirrorless or pro DSLR-like quality, but for providing a visual memento, they’re perfectly fine.

And now, a mix of smartphone fatigue and social media has renewed and widened interest in cheap digital point and shoots at one end of the scale, and ‘slow photography’ options like the Pentax 17 film compact at the other. 

But, sitting in the middle, there was always consistently an alternative in the toughened, waterproof digital compact.

After all the excitement of the launch of the Pentax 17 a couple of years ago, things have gone very quiet in terms of any new 35mm film cameras.

You may remember that Ricoh was promising another Pentax film model, but that looks to be on the back burner for the moment. Yet the volume of 35mm film being processed at commercial labs around the world continues to steadily rise – as do, logically, the sales of both color and B&W film.

Darkroom equipment and materials continue to tick along, too, so shooting film continues to grow in popularity. But what are these film fans actually shooting with?

The Pentax 17 – quite a curiosity in some respects – was primarily designed to appeal to a particular audience who were not only new to film, but new to using a camera rather than a camera phone.

Consequently, interesting though it is, it doesn’t have any appeal to more experienced photographers who either want to return to shooting film or who want to try it for first time. Either way, what’s needed is a more mainstream design – and that’s either a more conventional compact camera or, better still, a 35mm SLR.

The Pentax back-catalog should provide rich pickings for recreating the latter, assuming that there’s basic tooling still available (which the main chassis of the 17 suggests is indeed the case), so why has Ricoh’s film camera project seemingly pressed pause? And, subsequently, is anybody else in a position to make a new 35mm SLR?

It’s no secret that, after being in very high demand initially, sales of the Pentax 17 have slowed. Much of that early demand was driven by the curiosity factor, and people bought the camera because of its historical significance and because it was “something different”.

However, it was always one of those products that would reach the point where everybody who wants one has got one.

My opinion is that Ricoh should have kicked off with a more mainstream 35mm design and followed with the quirky half-frame camera. I suspect the potential customers for the former are far larger in number than whatever unit sales the Pentax 17 has achieved so far.

That said, Ricoh is reportedly happy with how the 17 has sold, and it’s still available with only a smallish reduction in price compared to when it was launched. But would the balance sheet have looked a lot better with a 35mm SLR or a full-frame film compact?

Ricoh says it hasn’t dismissed the idea of a revived 35mm R/GR series compact, which perhaps makes more sense given just how big the line’s following is now courtesy of the last few digital models (including the new Ricoh GR IV). Nevertheless, I still feel what’s really needed now is a 35mm reflex.

It needs to be priced at under $750 body-only and, while a fully mechanical and manual design has some appeal, I think it should have automatic operations – such as exposure, focus and film transport – because that’s what we’re all so used to now. Okay, manual focus is probably fine. But too much nostalgia might just be too much, period.

If you’re a purist, there are plenty of pre-loved classic mechanical cameras available to scratch that itch. But a reasonable degree of automation – backed by a new camera warranty and, of course, with manual overrides – would make jumping into film less of a culture shock.

There is the question of the lens mount, but the ubiquitous K bayonet would seem the obvious choice given the huge reservoir of lenses available, old and new.

Right now, though, we seem to have reached an impasse. An affordable 35mm SLR is what’s needed to kick the film revival up a gear or two, but the current numbers probably look a bit marginal in terms of profitability. I’m convinced that "build it and they will come", but somebody somewhere needs to take a leap of faith.

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Ricoh remains the last major manufacturer still supporting traditional mirror-based DSLR cameras. But new signs suggest another popular Pentax DSLR could soon disappear from the market – just three and a half years after its launch in November 2022 – and this would be a loss for beginners and enthusiast photographers.

Major Japanese retailers, including Map Camera, have marked the Pentax KF as a "discontinued product", raising concerns that Ricoh may be quietly winding down another DSLR model from its shrinking lineup. The KF is one of the only and most accessible beginner-friendly models available new in 2026.

That follows several other signs for Pentax users in recent months. The Pentax K-3 Mark III production ended in January, while retailers listed the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome as discontinued in February. In April, signs also emerged that the Pentax K-1 Mark II could be nearing the end of its lifecycle after one of its kit bundles disappeared from retailers.

Pentax KF: discontinuation hints

For many photographers, the Pentax KF represents something rare in the modern mirrorless world: an affordable, weather-sealed DSLR designed for people who start or simply enjoy photography.

In our guide to the best Pentax cameras, we ranked the KF as the best Pentax DSLR for beginners thanks to its balance of price, ruggedness and enthusiast-friendly features.

The camera combines hybrid AF (autofocus) in Live View with 4.5-stop IBIS (in-body image stabilization), a vari-angle screen and built in flash.

While it doesn't dramatically outperform rivals on paper, the KF delivers the classic Pentax experience many photographers value: durable construction, tactile controls, and dependable cold-proof performance down to 14°F (-10°C).

It's also one of the last affordable APS-C DSLRs that is available brand-new in stores or online – a category that has rapidly disappeared as the camera industry continues shifting toward mirrorless systems.

Although Ricoh has not officially announced the KF's discontinuation, retailer availability is becoming increasingly inconsistent across major markets.

Current availability & prices of the Pentax KF body

Several US and UK stores now list the camera as backordered, limited stock, special order or awaiting stock, while some retailers have removed listings entirely.

A combination like this often signals the final stage of a camera's retail lifecycle before an official discontinuation is confirmed by the manufacturer.

For photographers who still prefer the DSLR shooting experience – particulary optical viewfinders, longer battery life and traditional handling – the Pentax KF may soon become harder to buy new.

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DSLRs are not dead – and if you're craving that classic shooting experience, the Pentax K-1 Mark II is now just £1,449 at Jessops.

This is the lowest-ever price the popular full-frame camera has hit, and you save £450 off the regular price tag – on top of that, the deal gets you a free 512GB SD memory card, worth £159.99.

If you feel the magic in a mirror slap and optical viewfinder, the Pentax K-1 Mark II is made with you in mind.

It delivers a true full-frame DSLR shooting experience with a rugged, weather-sealed body, classic design charm, and some clever innovations – like a scissor-action articulating rear screen and extended exposure modes for creative long-exposure photography.

Originally launched as the first full-frame Pentax DSLR in February 2016, the K-1 was already a standout. Two years later, Ricoh Imaging introduced the K-1 Mark II, upgrading it with a new accelerator unit for better high ISO performance, a Dynamic Pixel Shift Resolution mode, and refined autofocus algorithms.

The K-1 Mark II stands strong against more well-known full-frame revivals, thanks to its 36.5MP sensor, advanced Shake Reduction II in-body stabilization, and its robust build quality. It's a DSLR that truly respects the hands-on, and for this model, you will find a big range of Pentax lenses.

Whether you choose the body-only option or the all-in-one kit with the versatile 18-135mm zoom lens, both deals make it easy to step into full-frame DSLR photography with everything you need from day one.

The SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC memory card offers fast, reliable storage for your high-resolution images. The D-BG6 battery grip gets you extra power and improved handling, while the Think Tank Photo Retrospective 7m shoulder bag lets you carry your new gear in a stylish, protective way – that means less time researching accessories, and more time out shooting.

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It's been six years since Canon and Nikon launched their last DSLRs; the EOS 1D X Mark III, and the D6, respectively. That now leaves only one DSLR brand left in the game: Pentax. But although it does still produce DSLRs, it's not like we're being flooded with new hardware. Just two Pentax DSLR models are still officially current. There's the full-frame K-1 II, now 8 years old, and the APS-C KF, which though launched more recently in 2022, was little more than a re-badged K-70; a camera that dates back to 2016.

This begs the question: is Pentax really committed to DSLRs? Well, in a recent interview with Spanish-language photography website Photolari, executives from Ricoh/Pentax explicitly confirmed that Pentax will not abandon DSLRs and will continue to develop the camera format as long as there is demand for better, more up-to-date DSLR cameras - “We will never give up if there are customers”.

The same execs go on to state that they're committed to serving loyal Pentax shooters and giving them meaningful upgrades. To that end, they go on to say that a new Pentax DSLR is currently in development. No specific details are given, but a full-frame model is hinted at, potentially a K-1 III.

With the K-1 II closing in on its 10th birthday, its successor would need to be a considerable leap forward in terms of tech. However, with Pentax restricting itself to serving quite a small niche of die-hard fans, will it have sufficient development budget to produce and all-new camera that's meaningfully better than what's gone before? Another re-badging exercise like the KF really wouldn't do justice to the claim that Pentax wants to give its users "meaningful upgrades".

I'd genuinely love to see Pentax not just keep the DSLR on life support, but develop it into a strong alternative to mirrorless rivals. Even the best electronic viewfinders just can't match the analog immediacy of a true optical SLR viewfinder, and this helps make the entire DSLR shooting experience feel more engaging and satisfying, for me at least.

Looking for a rugged, waterproof, and adventure-ready camera for your next hike, five, ski, or biking excursion? Two great budget outdoor cameras are now available at a discount from Jessops and Amazon.

The Pentax WG-8 in black is now just £399 at Jessops – you save £80 off its original £479 price.

The OM System Tough TG-7 in black is now just £381.15 at Amazon – you save £118.84 off its £499.99 RRP.

• The Pentax WG-8 is also available in green for £399 at Jessops. Price match: £399 at Amazon, £399 at Very

• The OM System Tough TG-7 is also available in red for £374.25 at Amazon

Pentax WG-8: A real Captain Scarlet of a compact camera
The Pentax WG-8 is built tough to survive water, dust, drops, freezing temps – you name it. It's perfect if you want a camera that's truly adventure-proof, without spending big. With a 20MP sensor and 5x optical zoom (approx. 28-140mm in 35mm terms).

It shoots decent photos and 4k video at 30fps. It also shines in ultra-close-up shots, and it performs well underwater and in extreme conditions where other cameras might fail. It's a solid budget-friendly choice for anyone needing a tough, reliable camera for travel.
Read more: Pentax WG-8 review.

OM System Tough TG-7: Indestructable camera, impressive results
The OM System Tough TG-7 is built to be a companion on any adventure. It's waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof, so you never have to worry about weather or terrain. Sure, its 12MP sensor is smaller than some other cameras, but that actually helps underwater photos by capturing more light where it's often dim. Plus, it shoots RAW and bursts up to 20fps – perfect for catching fast moments.

The TG-7 has a handy 4x zoom (approx. 25-100mm in 35mm terms) with a bright aperture and a standout macro mode that lets you snap amazing close-ups and 4K video. It's simple, durable, and versatile – the perfect point and shoot to toss in your bag when you need a reliable camera that won't quit.
Read more: OM System Tough TG-7 review.

Discover more and browse the best travel cameras, best compact cameras and best point and shoot cameras

DSLRs are steadily disappearing from the modern camera market – and now there are growing signs that this full-frame flagship could be next.

Ricoh remains the only major manufacturer still committed to mirror-based cameras, but recent developments suggest its lineup may be shrinking – again. Following a series of discontinuities, new clues point to the K-1 Mark II potentially being on the way out.

The popular DSLR kit with the 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 lens is now listed as 'discontinued' at major Japanese retailers, including Bic Camera, and marked as 'completed product' at Kitamura. Could the K-1 Mark II body-only version soon follow?

Discontinuation hints

Last year, the production of the Pentax K-3 Mark III ended, followed in March 2026 by the Monochrome version – a niche model that had only been on the market for around three years.

Now that the K-1 Mark II lens bundle has left the market in Japan, it's fueling speculation that the full-frame DSLR could be next.

It's important to note, however, that a bundle being discontinued doesn't automatically mean the camera body will follow – factors like new lens versions, updated bundles, or changes in retail strategy can also play a role.

That said, this pattern is common in the camera industry – and it could fuel even more rumors for a successor. Combined with mixed signals from retailers in the US and UK – some showing 'limited stock' or 'special order' – it suggests that overall K-1 Mark II availability is gradually shrinking.

Current availability & prices

So, for anyone considering a K-1 Mark II, now is a good time to buy a sealed DSLR rather than relying on the second-hand market, which could become the only option if global stock continues to shrink.

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Usually, I report on DSLRs reaching the end of their life – when manufacturers stop production, end support, and discontinue beloved mirror-based models.

But here's a rare bit of news in today's digital camera world: Pentax may be launching a new DSLR in 2026!

For some time, rumors have suggested that Ricoh could be preparing a new DSLR, possibly a Pentax K-3 Mark IV. Here's what we know so far...

The rumors

Rumors of a new Pentax DSLR are heating up in the photography community – particularly on forums like DP Review.

While Ricoh has yet to make an official announcement, one well-known source Asahi man, responded confidently to a forum question: "In short, yes, the new one is coming in 26, no speculation."

Even in a mirrorless-dominated world, a new DSLR from Pentax wouldn't exactly shock anyone.

After discontinuing both the original flagship APS-C K-3 Mark III and its Monochrome variant, the K-1 Mark II full-frame DSLR remains available – but the gap in Pentax's lineup leaves plenty of room for a new model...

The K-3 Mark III was an interesting hybrid – combining DSLR handling with some mirrorless-style innovation.

So, could the upcoming model carry forward that DNA? Many photographers hope so.

While some voices are skeptical, forum discussions are full of speculation: "Hopefully it comes with some new fast focusing PLM, DC, and/or modern SDM lenses," said one user. "Full frame? If so, sign me up for at least one," added another. "Most likely a warmed-over KF upgrading to the 26MP sensor as the 24MP one I think is out of production," speculated a third.

Pentax is known as the brand for photographers who refuse to give up on DSLRs.

And for shooters who still love the familiar mirror slap, robust handling, and Pentax ecosystem, a new DSLR would be a welcome breath of fresh air in a mirrorless-dominated market...

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Pentax remains the only major camera brand still focusing on DSLRs – but now the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome is no longer available. Not even three years after launch, the dedicated camera for black-and-white photography is marked as discontinued at major retailers, leaving photographers with fewer options than ever.

First, Ricoh ended the production of the Pentax K-3 Mark III in January 2025; now, its monochrome sibling has followed suit – a dedicated mono DSLR designed for photographers craving pixel-level detail without post-processing color conversions.

With kit lens bundles already disappearing weeks ago, the body-only version quickly sold out as well – leaving photographers wondering: is this the end of Pentax monochrome DSLRs – or is a new model on the horizon?

A dedicated niche DSLR leaves the market

Dedicated black-and-white DSLRs are increasingly rare. The K-3 Mark III Monochrome catered to a very specific audience: photographers longing for the precision and handling of a DSLR, paired with the aesthetic and immediacy of film-style black-and-white capture.

It's not for everyone – if you want full editing flexibility with color files, or rely heavily on highlight recovery, this isn't the camera for you.

But for black-and-white enthusiasts it delivers exceptional detail, strong image quality at high ISO performances up to 25,600, and the classic DSLR experience – without a premium Leica price tag.

Availability of Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome

Alternatives for dedicated B&W shooters

Options are limited. Leica's Q2 Monochrom, Q3 Monochrom and M11 Monochrom exist – but both are extremely expensive, and the Q2 is reportedly in its final production stages.

Ricoh's GR IV Monochrome offers a more budget-friendly option with a true monochrome sensor – but with compact handling, not DSLR ergonomics.

For traditional DSLR fans, these options may feel like compromises – either in cost or in shooting experience.

But camera rumors suggest that Ricoh may be preparing a new DSLR – a Pentax K-3 Mark IV. If so, a monochrome variant could make a comeback. Gain more insights here.

For now, though, photographers are left with few choices.

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This story made my day. Kyle McDougall, a Canadian YouTuber based in the UK, has tested out a custom-modified Pentax 645 that shoots 32 frames on medium format 120 film, instead of the standard 16 frames, producing dreamy panoramic stills.

McDougall received the camera from one of his followers, who must be a genius, because, along with creativity, modifying the Pentax camera required some serious engineering skills. The Pentax 645 is a medium-format film camera launched in the mid-1980s.

To make the Pentax half frame, Pencine120 masked film gate and adjusted the prism. He also tweaked the gearing so it only advanced halfway, along with making changes to the electronics so that the camera could correctly read out the frames.

Watch: YouTuber test out a custom-modified half frame Pentax 645 medium format camera

While Pencine120 made some serious changes to the Pentax, cutting the frames in half creates iconic panoramic shots. In fact, the wide shots look brilliant and only bolster the Pentax 645’s reputation of being an affordable medium format film camera capable of producing image quality comparable to large format.

McDougall was able to snap some beautiful shots along the Hastings coastline in England, which really suited the modified, panoramic field of view. Although, in post-production, he ran into some issues as scanning these images proved tricky due to the unique, modified frame size.

That said, to Pencine120’s credit, the frame size was practically the same as XPan, a film produced for the TX-1 and Hasselblad XPan cameras – systems that could switch between standard and panoramic modes.

Half-frame film cameras like the Pentax 17 are sliced in half to create vertical images, so it's interesting to see a film camera go the other way in order to create panoramas.

You’ll never catch me taking apart a camera and messing about with its insides, but this video certainly has me more interested in experimenting with film, or at least finding novel ways of using my mirrorless Sony A7 III to create more immersive photos.

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Retro cameras are works of art – and the Etsy shop turning cameras into wooden works of art is back at it again, only this time with a handful of retro (and one non-retro!) Pentax cameras.

The 1:1 replica Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SP and Pentax 17 are works of art produced by US-based Etsy store CameraTin. They feature all the details of the real models, including being able to remove the lens on the Spotmatic – how cool is that!

CameraTin has previously also recreated wooden lookalikes of retro cameras from other brands, including Nikon.

The Pentax models from CameraTins aren't new announcements, but the price has recently dropped. Both the Ashai Pentax Spotmatic SP model and the Pentax 17 variant are now available from Etsy for $39 – previously, I've seen the cameras as high as $119. The Florida-based Etsy shop will also ship to other countries, though international orders lack the free shipping. In the UK, the wood cameras cost £36.10, Australia AU$55.27, and Canada CA$55.78, plus shipping costs.

Aside from a real film camera, I can’t think of a better gift for a retro photographer, or any photographer for that matter, and can see one of these wooden replicas sitting at my editing desk.

So what about the real models these replicas depict, then? The Pentax Spotmatic SP is a fully-manual 35mm SLR film camera that was released when Pentax was still going by the name of Asahi Optical Company. It had a reputation for being both intuitive and affordable, selling over 4 million units between 1964 and 1977.

The highly successful Spotmatic SP popularized stop-down Through-the-Lens (TTL) metering, a metering system enabling the camera to gauge exposure with the aperture already stopped down to the final taking diaphragm.

The Pentax 17 was released in 2024, making it the first film camera from Pentax in over 20 years. The compact 35mm half-frame design captures smaller exposures, enabling 72 vertical images per 36-exposure roll. It features a retro metal/plastic build, a fixed 25mm f/3.5 lens, zone-focusing, and autoexposure.

My colleague, Sebastian Oakley, rates the Pentax 17 as “the best half-frame camera you can buy new,” and it nabbed the number one spot on our list of the best film cameras.

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One of the only major brands still focused on DSLRs is the subject of new rumors after a DSLR was marked as discontinued at one retailer.

US retailer B&H has labeled the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome as discontinued.

Importantly, one retailer's discontinuation doesn’t always mean the camera will be unavailable everywhere. Case in point? B&H also has the discontinued label on the color K-3 Mark III, but the DSLR is still available to order directly from Pentax in the US.

The K-3 Mark III Monochrome hasn’t moved to the brand’s list of discontinued products on parent company Ricoh’s US website either. However, the black-and-white camera doesn’t appear to be available to order directly from the manufacturer, nor is it available at competing retailer Adorama.

In Europe, Pentax’s website lists the K-3 Mark III as out of stock in the color and Monochrome models. However, in Japan, the K-3 Mark III is listed among the discontinued DSLRs, while the Monochrome is still among the available models.

While the reports of the discontinuation of the Pentax K-3 Mark III in both the original and Monochrome are conflicting, if the K-3 series exits the lineup, that leaves Pentax with two DSLRs: The full-frame Pentax K-1 Mark II released in 2018, and the crop-sensor Pentax KF announced in 2022.

Discontinuing the K-3 Mark III Monochrome, if the change extends beyond one retailer, is also notable because cameras with a black-and-white sensor are harder to come by than their color counterparts. Along with the K-3 Mark III Monochrome, other colorless cameras include the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome, the Leica M11 Monochrom, and the Leica Q3 Monochrom.

While Pentax experimented with mirrorless back when the format first came out with the Pentax Q lineup, the company has since declared a focus on DSLRs. As the text on the Pentax K-3 III page reads, “Pentax believes in the future of SLR photography.”

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Browse the best DSLRs or the best cameras for black-and-white photography.

I used to work on a model railroad magazine, so as you can imagine, my penchant for trains means that I’m quite taken by Ricoh’s snazzy ‘old’ camera straps, upscaled using seat fabric from Tokyo Metro cars. The very limited-edition Ricoh Tokyo x Pentax Camera Straps will be available to order from Friday, February 6, at 11:00am (presumably JST).

Sadly, the Ricoh Imaging Store is only able to deliver to Japanese addresses, and I can see these moving faster than a 'bullet train', considering only 300 will be available: 150 regular seats (red) and 150 priority seats (blue). Regardless, they are priced at ¥9,280, which is roughly $62/£49/$AU95.

Each strap is made from real seat fabric that once adorned Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line 02 series carriages, and is hand-sewn in Tokyo’s Adachi Ward. What’s more, the straps also feature a Pentax tag, as well as a Tokyo Metro sleeve tag that is actually featured on Tokyo Metro uniforms.

In addition to the seat fabric, the lining is made from polyester, while the leather tabs at the ends of the strap are made from cowhide leather. Ricoh states that the straps are compatible with SLR cameras with strap rings of 10mm or wider. The main body of each strap (excluding the thin tips) is 810mm by 38mm.

It’s a shame these straps are only available domestically, or I would have snapped one up myself. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the New York Metro or London Underground can follow suit!

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Neck strap not meaty enough for you? Here are the best camera harnesses. If you're a Ricoh fan, check out the Ricoh GR IV review. And while you're at it, take a look at the best Pentax cameras.

Compact cameras have been making a big comeback in the last year. Once thought killed off by mobile phones, many people are rediscovering the charms of a bespoke photographic device - and particularly one with a built-in zoom. 

It is great news, therefore, that there is currently a great price on the Pentax WG-1000 compact camera which not only boasts a 4x zoom, but also is completely waterproof. Amazon has this at £185.11 - which is £30 less than most other UK retailers.

Introduced 18 months ago, the WG-1000 follows in a long line of waterproof compacts from Pentax, and its parent company Ricoh. It is designed waterproof down to a depth of 15 meters, for up to one hour. Not only that, it is shockproof and said to be able to survive being dropped from a height of 2 metres.

The 4x optical zoom gives an equivalent field of view of a traditional 27-108mm full-frame lens. It has a 16 megapixel 1/2.3in CMOS sensor, that can record 1080p video as well as stills.

The camera is supplied with a protective jacket, to help prevent the shell being scratched – and you also get a carabiner strap. This offer is only available on the gray-colored version of the camera - but it is also available in olive green at a slightly higher price

Check out our full guide to the best waterproof cameras

Ricoh Imaging has quietly removed references to its Pentax Film Project from the top page of its official website, a move that has not gone unnoticed by the film photography community.

The change was first reported by Japanese outlet Digital Camera Life, which noted that the project’s promotional tile has disappeared from the homepage without any accompanying announcement or explanation.

Until recently, the Pentax Film Project sat alongside major brand initiatives on the Ricoh Imaging homepage, but it has now been replaced by links to ongoing campaigns such as GR Photo Festival 2025 and the main Pentax and GR brand portals. While the film project has not been deleted entirely, its removal from the most visible part of the site suggests a clear shift in emphasis.

According to Digital Camera Life, the Pentax Film Project can still be accessed indirectly through deeper navigation, including the Pentax brand pages and the dedicated product page for the Pentax 17. However, the decision to demote the project from the homepage has inevitably raised questions about its current status and future direction.

The film initiative gained global attention in 2024 with the launch of the Pentax 17, positioning Ricoh Imaging as one of the very few major brands actively investing in new film cameras. Since then, progress has appeared slow, and the departure of a key project figure, known internally as TKO, has only added to speculation about whether the programme has stalled or is being restructured behind the scenes.

Despite the uncertainty, expectations around the Pentax Film Project remain high. As reported by Digital Camera Life, long-term ambitions have previously included everything from a full-frame interchangeable-lens film camera to a premium fixed-lens model, while others have speculated about more accessible autofocus or zoom-based designs under the classic Espio name. For now, those ideas remain firmly in the realm of conjecture.

Looking ahead, Ricoh Imaging is expected to be present in Japan during CP+ 2026, despite not hosting a traditional exhibition booth. International media interviews are reportedly planned, which may offer the first real insight into whether the Pentax Film Project is entering a second phase - or quietly fading into the background. Until then, the project’s low-profile status leaves film photographers watching closely for any sign of what comes next.

The BCN Award 2026 has been announced, revealing the best-selling camera brands in Japan's digital camera and imaging market.

Based on nationwide retail sales data from January to December 2025, the award reflects actual purchase figures collected from 20 major electronics retailers, including Amazon, Bic Camera, and other leading chains across the country.

This year, Sony claimed the mirrorless camera crown for the third consecutive year and sixth time overall, while Canon continued its long-standing dominance of the DSLR segment with an 18th straight win.

In a first-time achievement, Kodak earned the top spot for compact cameras, and DJI took home the crown in both the video camera and action camera categories.

Unlike product-based honors, the BCN Award recognizes manufacturers rather than individual camera models, ranking brands by total sales volume and overall market popularity.

Let's take a closer look at the top three brands in each category and the companies shaping Japan's highly competitive camera market in 2025…

Compact

1. Kodak: 24%
2. Fujifilm: 13.9%
3. Kenko Tokina: 13.3%

Kodak takes the top spot in Japan's compact camera category for the first time, claiming 24%. The Kodak Pixpro FZ55, a simple, affordable point-and-shoot, dominated monthly sales charts and highlights the ongoing comeback of budget-friendly compact cameras.

Fujifilm follows with 13.9% of sales, led by its popular X100 series and the Instax hybrid instant cameras. Fujifilm's GFX100RF, a groundbreaking 102MP compact medium-format camera, was recognized with the DGP Imaging Award, one of Japan's most prestigious honors.

Tokina takes third at 13.3%. maintaining a steady popularity in Japan's compact camera segment.

Mirrorless

1. Sony: 29.9%
2. Canon: 27.4%
3. Nikon: 15.1%

Sony continues its dominance in Japan's mirrorless camera market, winning the BCN Award for the third consecutive year and sixth overall, with 29.9% of annual sales. Canon follows closely with 27.4%, while. Nikon holds third place at 15.1%, maintaining its position from the previous year.

The market has been defined by Sony and Canon. Sony's A7 V, released mid-December 2025, instantly became Japan's best-selling mirrorless camera in the second half of December.

Canon's high-end EOS R6 Mark III and entry-level R50 V, along with Nikon's Z5 II, are 2025's product examples that continue to be celebrated in Japan's competitive mirrorless market.

DSLR

1. Canon: 44.3%
2. Nikon: 38%
3. Pentax: 17.7%

Canon remains the undisputed leader in Japan's DSLR market, winning the BCN Award for the 18th consecutive year and 20th overall, with 44.2% of annual sales. Nikon holds second place with 28%, while Ricoh Imaging (Pentax) captures 17.7%.

Despite the mirrorless boom, DSLRs are far from obsolete. Canon's EOS 5D Mark IV continues to dominate the professional and enthusiast workflows, while models like the 1D X Mark III are still popular.

Nikon remains strong with, for example, the D850 and D780, while Pentax appeals to a dedicated niche with models such as the K-1 Mark II.

Canon's dominance isn't a surprise. It ships the majority of DSLRs worldwide. Even with mirrorless growth, nearly 800,000 DSLRs were shipped in 2024, underscoring that the DSLR experience remains valued among photographers.

Video

1. DJI: 64.7%
2. Panasonic: 18.9%
3. Sony: 11.1%

DJI had taken the top spot in Japan's video camera market for the second year in a row, capturing an overwhelming 64.7% share. Panasonic followed with 18.9%, and Sony held 11.1%.

Key DJI releases include the Osmo Action 6, launched late 2025, and the Osmo Pocket series – a compact handheld solution that some observers argue could also fit under action cameras due to its portability, though officially classified in the video camera category for BCN Award purposes.

Among Panasonic's most popular devices for professional video are the Lumix S5 IIX, and it updated its hybrid lineup with the Lumix S1 II, and camcorders such as AG-CX20. Sony continues to impress with the FX6, FX3, and hybrid models like the A7R V and A6700.

Action

1. DJI: 40.1%
2. Insta360: 37.9%
3. GoPro: 18.9%

DJI claimed the top spot in Japan's action camera category for the first time, capturing 40.1% market share. Arashi Vision (the company behind Insta360) followed closely with 37.9%, while GoPro fell to third place at 18.9%.

DJI's success in 2025 was highlighted by the Osmo Action 6 and the Osmo Nano, a tiny wearable camera, while the Osmo Action 4 and 5 Pro offered strong budget and professional options.

Arashi Vision continued to push innovation with the Insta360 X5 (8K 360°) and maintained strong momentum with the Ace Pro 2. Meanwhile, GoPro focused on its Max 2, while the Hero 13 Black remained a popular choice.

As Chinese manufacturers, DJI and Insta360 continued to gain ground, GoPro's market share declined amid intensifying competition.

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I’m admittedly a bit gear-obsessed – and my camera collection spans both digital and film. But, as much as I love analog, developing film is expensive. That’s why I decided to experiment – and put an old film lens onto my digital camera.

I have an old Pentax K1000 that I use to shoot the occasional roll of film. And I have Fujifilm gear that I use as a wedding and portrait photographer. Lately, I’ve taken to shooting with a warm diffusion filter to exaggerate the retro look of Fujifilm’s film simulations, because the lens plays a key role in getting a more retro look to images.

The lens is half the image quality equation. Film lenses weren’t as close to perfection as modern lenses, often lacking some sharpness, but creating lovely halos of light and beautiful lens flare.

I started to wonder, if the lens is half the equation, could I adapt a film lens onto my digital camera for a more analog look without the film costs? I found a K Mount to X Mount adapter that cost less than developing one roll of film and twisted my Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 onto my Fujifilm X-T4.

The K-mount Pentax 50mm f/1.7 has been around since the late 1970s and remained in production until around 1984. The lens is a rather compact nifty fifty and has that retro look because, well, it actually is retro.

Using the lens on my X-T4 felt similar to using the lens on my K1000 in that it’s a fully manual lens. Manual focus tends to slow me down, but that’s a good thing. I’m not worrying about how many film frames I’m filling up while adapted on my mirrorless, but I am taking the time to manually dial in the focus.

There’s no auto exposure when adapting a film lens to digital, either, as there are no electronic contacts for the camera to communicate with the lens. I dialed in the aperture on the lovely clicked aperture ring on the lens and took advantage of the mirrorless’ electronic EVF with exposure preview to dial in the remaining settings.

The images I captured with the adapted film lens are sharper than I expected, but fall off to a lovely bokeh at f/1.7. The lens gives light sources a little more of a halo or glow than my native glass.

Mixed with film simulations like Eterna Cinmea and Across (monochrome), I loved the soft colors the film-digital combo created in soft lighting. When a patch of afternoon sunlight started streaming right through the window, I was able to create some moody, dramatic shots with deep shadows.

I didn’t mind the manual focus or all manual exposure. Perhaps what I missed the most about my native lenses was the weather sealing. Using a dusty old film lens risks adding dust to the camera sensor. I gave the inside of the lens a good cleaning with a blower before using it, and my mirrorless seems to be unaffected – though admittedly, baking Christmas cookies with an abundance of flour and sprinkles was probably a riskier type of shoot to do with this setup!

Retro feels like a photography buzzword as classic designs return to digital and younger generations try film for the first time. But trends often bring higher costs with them. Adapting an old film lens with an inexpensive adapter was a refreshingly affordable way to bring some nostalgic charm to my digital camera.

No, using a film lens on digital is still not quite the same thing as true analog. But it brought a bit more diffused look, soft colors, and slower shooting with manual focus – and my digital camera has never felt more retro.

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The legend of the Pentax K1000 is rooted in it’s simplicity, reliability and affordability. Introduced in 1976, just a year after Pentax replaced their Spotmatic series of M42 screw mount cameras with the new K bayonet models, the K1000 was aimed at students.

It was a stripped-down model of the upscale KM and K2 models, lacking a self-timer and a depth-of-field preview button. But it had the basics.... a mechanically governed shutter with speeds to 1/1000sec down to a full second, a bright, clear pentaprism viewfinder and good TTL metering (which like the Spotmatics, was an averaging meter). And all powered by a single SR44 battery meaning if the battery fails, you can still use the camera. Even better, unlike the Spotmatic series which used mercury button cells, the Silver Oxide SR44s are still readily available. 

It all came in a sturdy, reliable, inexpensive, all-metal body and thus became extremely popular with amateurs and students alike.  It’s original price was just $299 with a 55mm f/2 lens.

The 50mm and 55mm f/2 lenses have stories in themselves. The 55mm lens was made for the K1000 as at 55mm the rear element easily clears the mirror. (Many early SLRs used 55mm and 58mm lenses as standard lenses for this reason.) 50mm lenses require fancier (read “more expensive”) designs to clear the mirror when it flips up.  And the fancier the design, the larger the percentage of lenses that won’t quite “cut the mustard” when going through Quality Control.  

Pentax found that when their 50mm f/1.8 lenses failed they nearly always failed only when wide open.  When stopped down to f/2, they would pass easily.  Rather than throw them out, they simply put larger trim rings on them, reducing the aperture and sold them as 50mm f/2 lenses at a lower price!  Very smart, indeed!

Over the years, K1000 production was moved from Japan to Hong Kong (1978) and later to China itself (1990), to reduce labor costs and with some minor materials changes to keep it affordable. It remained in production for 21 years, until 1997, with over 3 million cameras sold. 

Production only stopped when it was no longer possible to purchase the meter coil movements at anywhere near a reasonable price. Were they still available today, the K1000 may likely still be available, too!

The K1000 was replaced in 1998 with the with ZX-M (sold as the MZ-M in some markets). Though missing some features of the other ZX series cameras, but still with a much richer feature set than the very basic K1000, the plastic bodied ZX-M failed to find a market with students. Even today, many students prefer a second, third or even fourth-hand K1000 to learn with.  And that, my friends, is the stuff that legends are made of.

Find out more about photography's past in David Young's book, A Brief History of Photography.

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Take a look at the best film cameras you can buy today, and the best cameras for sports photography. You can also read other articles in David Young's Classic Cameras series.

Compact cameras are making a big comeback at the moment. Once thought killed off by mobile phones, many people are rediscovering the charms of a bespoke photographic device - and particularly one with a built-in zoom. 

It is great news, therefore, that there is currently a great price on the Pentax WG-90 compact camera which not only boasts a 5x zoom, but also is completely waterproof. Amazon has this at £251.03 - which is over £60 less than other UK retailers.

First going on sale early last year, the WG-90 follows in a long line of waterproof compacts from Pentax, and its parent company Ricoh. It is designed waterproof down to a depth of 14 meters, for up to two hour. Not only that, it is shockproof and said to be able to survive being dropped from a height of 1.6 metres.

The 4x optical zoom gives an equivalent field of view of a traditional 27-108mm full-frame lens. It has a 16 megapixel 1/2.3in CMOS sensor, that can record 1080p video as well as stills.

This offer is only available on the black-colored version of the camera - but it is also available in blue at a higher price

Check out our full guide to the best waterproof cameras

The Pentax WG-90 has quietly become one of those cameras that just makes sense, especially when it drops to a price like this.

Now down to its lowest-ever price of £251.03 from £379.99, this rugged little compact is saving you a very tidy £128.96, and that immediately puts it in the sweet spot for gifting or throwing into a holiday bag without a second thought.

What makes the WG-90 stand out is its unapologetically tough design. This is a camera built for real life rather than careful handling, shrugging off knocks, splashes, sand and cold weather with ease. Whether it’s destined for a family holiday, a festival weekend, or a child’s first “proper” camera, it’s the kind of device you don’t have to worry about once it leaves the house.

Despite its rugged credentials, the WG-90 is still a very capable everyday shooter. Its built-in zoom lens covers a useful range for landscapes, group shots and casual portraits, while the sensor delivers pleasing, punchy images in good light. It’s not trying to be a smartphone replacement for enthusiasts, but it absolutely excels at capturing memories quickly and reliably.

One of the real joys of a camera like this is how freeing it feels to use. You can hand it around at the beach, take it poolside, or toss it into a backpack on a city break knowing it’s designed to cope. That makes it perfect for holidays where the last thing you want to think about is protecting expensive gear from the elements.

At just over £250, the WG-90 also makes a lot of sense as a gift. It’s practical, distinctive, and refreshingly different from the usual tech presents, especially for someone who enjoys the outdoors or wants a camera that’s simpler and more robust than a phone. The fact that this is the lowest price we’ve ever seen only sweetens the deal.

If you’ve been waiting for a no-nonsense compact that’s built to last and easy to love, this Pentax WG-90 deal is well worth a look. Big savings, solid performance, and genuine peace of mind make this one of those rare deals that feels genuinely good value rather than just discounted.

It seemed like the Pentax Film Project was hanging in the balance, following lead designer, Takeo ‘TKO’ Suzuki’s, surprising departure back in March, and inaccurate reports that the project had been paused. But whatever the situation at Ricoh HQ, news regarding the project’s status has been thin on the ground. That’s why a rumor post regarding a new Pentax film camera on Pentax & Ricoh Rumors is so enticing. And with analog fans left largely in the dark, surely any news is good news, even camera rumors.

However, the rumors website has rightly questioned the wobbly press release’s authenticity, given that it’s dated November 18 (long gone). I personally don’t think the writing style quite feels like a press release, either, although it could be translated, which could explain this.

The unverified press release regards a new iteration of the Pentax ESPIO 140, said to appeal to “photography enthusiasts and nostalgic users alike,” presumably those who remember the original family of 140-series compact film cameras, released in the ‘90s. As you’d expect from a point-and-shoot, the source lists features such as a built-in zoom and flash.

However, the fact that it’s said to be available in “both new and used conditions” sets alarm bells ringing. As does language stating that the optics are “reportedly free from dust and mold”. As such, I’d be inclined to take this report with a generous pinch of salt. Still, I'd be absolutely over the moon to see a new Pentax film camera release.

I personally think the Pentax 17 is a fantastic little camera that's perhaps a little too clever for its own good. Ultimately, I think the fact that it's an analog camera and a half-frame camera makes it a little too niche. Add to that the roughly $500 / £500 price tag, and I think the Pentax 17 is a relatively serious investment for what most photographers would deem a fun, alternative to their everyday companion.

The good news is that I don’t think Pentax 17 sales should put Ricoh off from releasing more film cameras. I still think a cheaper, full-frame film camera, with Pentax on the body, could sell very well. And if that just so happens to be a reincarnation of the Pentax 140 series, you can count me in!

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Into analog photography? Take a look at the best film cameras and the best film for 35mm cameras. Plus, the Pentax 17 wasn’t the camera that I wanted, but it was the camera that I needed.

In a world where most DSLR lines have stopped receiving meaningful updates, Pentax has dropped a fresh round of firmware for four of its K-series DSLRs. The Pentax K-1 II, K-1, KF and K-70 all get improved Astrotracer star-tracking accuracy, plus minor stability tweaks.

For DSLR shooters, no matter your brand, this raises a bigger question: will DSLRs in the future still get firmware updates at all? With Canon ending DSLR development, Nikon's focus landing firmly on mirrorless and Sony having long exited optical-viewfinder cameras, the Pentax update is a rare blip on the radar.

Below, you will find more information about the new firmware and why your DSLR model didn't get an update.

New firmware

Shared improvements: K-1 II, K-1, KF, K-70

Across all four Pentax bodies, the headline feature is clear:

Improved star-tracking accuracy with Astrotracer (Type 2 method)
Selecting "2 Type" under "Shooting Method for B" (menus vary slightly by model) now yields noticeably better precision when tracking stars during long exposures. The Astrotracer remains one of the most unique in-body features available on any camera system – DSLR or mirrorless.

General stability tweaks
Small, unspecific, but always welcome: smoother operation, safer long exposures, fewer hiccups when switching modes or reviewing images.

Pentax K-1 II / J Limited 01 – Ver. 2.51
- Improved Astrotracer Type 2 star tracking accuracy
- Improved overall stability

Pentax K-1 – Ver. 2.51
- Improved Astrotracer Type 2 star tracking
- Improved overall stability

Pentax KF – Ver. 1.33
- Improved Astrotracer Type 2 accuracy for deep-sky shooting

Pentax K-70 – Ver. 1.16
- Improved Astrotracer Type 2 accuracy
- Minor behind-the-scenes operational refinements

Why your DSLR missed out

Most brands have shifted their engineering, firmware teams and product maps toward mirrorless. DSLRs do still get firmware updates, but only from a handful of manufacturers – and usually for niche reasons.

This raises the question of what new firmware updates for DSLRs will look like in the future. Here's where big players stand…

Canon
Canon has officially ended its DSLR development, with the EOS-1D X Mark III being the last pro DSLR ever made. Firmware support continues for a few models, but the most recent updates, for example, date back to 2024-2023 for the 1D Mark III, 5D Mark IV and 6D Mark II. Canon's energy now sits squarely with the EOS R mirrorless line.

Nikon
Nikon still supports its DSLRs – just not as frequently. For example, the most recent DSLR firmware (August 2024) included bug fixes for overexposure and silent photography for the Nikon D6 (Ver. 1.70) and autofocus and exposure stability fixes for the Nikon D780 (Ver. 1.20). Nikon maintains its DSLR pro bodies primarily for sports and wildlife photographers who prefer optical finders.

Sony
Sony hasn't made DSLRs in years. The last major DSLR-adjacent system was A-mount SLT, and the firmware is long discontinued. Current updates (late 2025) target only mirrorless models like the A7R V and A7 IV.

Pentax
Pentax is the key exception. Under Ricoh, it remains the only major manufacturer still fully committed to designing, developing and selling new DSLRs, even while the rest of the industry moves on. Its current lineup – from the rugged K-1 Mark II full-frame to the fast K-3 Mark III APS-C – continues to appeal to photographers who love optical viewfinders, mechanical feel and durability, but the brand inevitably faces long-term headwinds as the broader market shifts.

Pro Advice

If you caught Episode 4 of Bokeh Face: The Digital Camera World Podcast, we discussed the best time to install firmware updates, why they matter, but also what issues they can cause. It's a helpful listen if you're unsure when – or if – you should update.

You can check out the episode for more insights, potential risks, and expert advice on our YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all your favorite podcast services.

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There’s a saying that age is just a number – and with some photographers still using old film cameras in the digital era, that can certainly be true for photography gear. But what about lenses? The Pentax FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR was introduced in 2016, making the lens about eight years old now, but it remains one of the few full-frame K-mount options with a wide zoom that doesn’t step into fisheye territory.

Pentax is one of the few brands still actively making DSLRs, so in my experience with the K-1 Mark II, I wanted to see what the brand’s ultra-wide, ultra-bright zoom could do.

Pentax FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR review: Specs

Pentax FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR review: Price

As a high-end zoom, the Pentax FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR isn’t exactly an impulse buy. The lens retails for $1,496 / £1,799 / AU$2,799 / CA$1,899.

As an older lens, however, it’s also possible to find the lens used at a discount.

Pentax FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR review: Design

The Pentax 15-30mm f/2.8 has a classic DSLR-style design. That includes, thankfully, a focal distance scale in a window near the lens mount. A lot of modern lenses eliminate this feature, but it’s helpful for manual focusing and astrophotography.

Next up on the lens is the focus ring, which is followed by the zoom ring. There are no other controls on the lens, so the barrel is free of switches and buttons.

The lens has a built-in petal-shaped lens hood, so it’s impossible to lose it. The front of the lens does change length as it zooms in and out, and there’s a mini hood inside that moves along with it.

A key perk for Pentax, the 15-30mm is weather-sealed. Beyond helping prevent damage and dust build-up on the sensor, this gives the lens a more durable feel.

Lenses that are both ultra-wide and ultra-bright tend to be heavy, and the Pentax 15-30mm f/2.8 is no exception. It weighs in at 2.29 lbs / 1040g and will take up a 5.65-inch / 14.35cm slot in a camera bag. That makes for a fairly heavy kit mounted on the K-1 II, but there’s a good, beefy grip to balance it all.

Pentax FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR review: Performance

The 15-30mm is a fun range of ultra-wide focal lengths to play with distortions on the short end or minimize them yet still get a fairly wide view on the long end.

I like to flip back and forth between the JPEGs and RAW to see just how much is corrected in camera, and there’s a bit of correction done in camera here. At 15mm, there’s some noticeable barrel distortion at the corners. At 30mm, the edges have just started to slightly curve up rather than down. In both cases, the lens profile in Lightroom makes quick work of the distortions.

The lens does a fantastic job at preventing vignetting, and I didn’t spot any bothersome dark corners.

Ultra-wides are known more for fun perspectives than bokeh, but with an f/2.8, you can get some background blur, particularly when getting in close to the subject. The lens can still focus as close as about 11 inches or 28 cm from the front.

The sharpness coming from this lens is solid for a DSLR optic, even when subjects are placed more towards the edges of where the K-1 II’s autofocus can go.

My biggest disappointment with this lens, however, was the colored fringing, or chromatic aberration. Out-of-focus areas on the edges, like fine tree branches, tended to take on a rather noticeable purple edge to them, which is a bit disappointing for a lens at this price point. I could spot the colored fringing in some shots without even zooming in, and it wasn’t automatically corrected with Lightroom’s lens corrections.

Autofocus performance was right where I expected for an ultra-wide DSLR lens. Focus seemed to lock on fairly quick without an obvious lag, though as an ultra-wide, I was using this lens more on landscapes than action.

Focusing manually was a bit annoying – but that was more of the camera’s fault than the lens. Still, as is typical, adjusting the focus ring right to infinity isn’t precise enough for the stars, and the camera's focus peaking wasn’t working well in the dark. When shooting astrophotography, I had to take a test shot, check the focus, and try again.

Pentax FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR review: Images

Pentax FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR review: Verdict

The Pentax FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR delivers ultra-wide views with easily corrected distortion and a bright aperture. The lens’s performance was right on par with what I expect from an ultra-wide DSLR lens.

However, the chromatic aberration is a deal-breaker for me, at least at this lens’ price point. The colored fringing, in some cases, is noticeable without zooming into 100 percent and is difficult to correct in post.

The K-Mount family has fairly limited options when it comes to ultra-wide lenses that still have zoom, however, so for the right photographer, it makes for some fun ultra-wide shots.

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The 85mm prime is a classic portrait lens – so it only feels right to go even more classic with a lens made for a DSLR. The HD Pentax-D FA★85mm F1.4ED SDM AW is a high-end prime made for Pentax’s K-Mount DSLRs – and “classic” is exactly the word that came to mind as I shot portraits with this lens.

The Pentax ★85mm F1.4ED may be a large DSLR lens, but I’m a bit enamoured with the classic images and design. Here’s what I captured with this portrait classic.

Pentax ★ 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW review: Specifications

Pentax ★ 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW review: Price & Availability

The star-series Pentax 85mm is a high-end lens for the K-Mount with a price to match. The lens retails for $2,096 / £1,499 / CA$2,499 / AU$3,199.

As a 2020 launch, however, the lens is fairly widely available from multiple retailers, including Amazon and photo specialty shops.

Pentax ★ 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW review: Design & Handling

My first thought after picking up the Pentax ★85mm F1.4ED was that more lenses should come in silver (it does also come in black). My second thought was that this lens is a beast.

As a DSLR lens with a longer focal length and a wide aperture, the Pentax ★85mm F1.4ED is no lightweight. The lens weighs 1255g or 44.3 oz without the hood. The portrait prime has a large 82mm filter size and adds another 4.9 inches / 123.5mm to the front of the camera.

The layout of the lens feels like a classic DSLR lens. There’s the focal distance scale window, which adjusts as the focus changes. Near that is a switch to go from auto to manual focus. The focus ring is large and textured.

There’s very little plastic to the front of the lens, with the glass taking up most of the front.

While bulky, that’s par for the course when it comes to 85mm f/1.4 lenses. The weight is also well-balanced when paired with the beefy body and grip of Pentax’s DSLRs.

Pentax ★ 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW review: Performance

The Pentax ★85mm F1.4ED is the sort of lens that welcomes looking at images at 100 percent. The photos that I captured are impressively sharp, even with subjects placed more towards the edge. When perfectly focused, the edges are crisp, but without being overly sharpened.

Those sharp subjects melt off into creamy backgrounds when shooting at f/1.4. The mix between sharpness and the bokeh possible from an 85mm f/1.4 is lovely. Points of light in the background render as smooth bokeh balls without onion ringing or a soap bubble texture.

While most edges are crisp, backlit subjects that are a bit out of focus can take on a noticeable purple fringing or chromatic aberration. I didn’t notice aberration in most shots, but it was noticeable around thin objects like tree branches when directing the lens towards the sun.

Turning the lens towards the sun also creates a bit of lovely lens flare.

I was surprised at how little I was tempted to color edit – straight-from-the-camera JPEGs had an excellent balance between being rich and accurate.

The 85mm focused on par with what I would expect from a prime of this caliber. I did miss eye detection AF, but I can’t fault the lens for the few autofocus misses that were from a poorly placed autofocus point. The lens’ 2.79 foot / 85 cm minimum focus distance is also close enough for some close-cropped portraits.

Pentax ★ 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW review: Sample Images

Pentax ★ 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW review: Verdict

The Pentax ★85mm F1.4ED is a lovely DSLR lens that captures sharp subjects and creamy backgrounds. I also loved the colors coming from this lens – I didn’t itch to really do intense color grading in post.

The lens’s shortcomings really all tie back to the fact that it is a DSLR lens – and you probably didn’t read this far if you don’t already have a Pentax DSLR. The lens is a bit heavy, and while the focusing is good, I missed eye detection AF.

Perhaps the biggest downside is the price. Pro primes still command a high asking price, but the list price still feels a bit steep for a prime, coming in at a price similar to an f/2.8 workhorse zoom.

Still, the images leave little to complain about, and I’m a bit enamoured with the portraits that I shot with this lens.

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Most binoculars struggle at close distances. Point them at something nearby and you'll see double vision or a misaligned view between your left and right eyes. Pentax's Papilio binoculars solves this with a clever mechanism that physically shifts the front lenses as you focus closer, keeping the view comfortable and aligned. Turn your attention to distant birds or a faraway stage, and the lenses automatically return to their normal position for long-range viewing.

Now Pentax has updated this line with a weatherproof design, making them more practical for outdoor photographers and wildlife watchers.

The new Papilio III WR binoculars retain the party trick that made the original models popular: they can focus on subjects just 50cm (20 inches) away. That's roughly the length of a standard ruler, making them useful for examining tiny wildflowers, insects, or museum displays in extraordinary detail; things you'd normally need a magnifying glass to see clearly.

This versatility has made Papilio binoculars a favorite among photographers who want to do things like scout locations or study wildlife behavior up close. The previous Papilio II models, though, lacked any weather protection, limiting their usefulness in damp conditions. The new Papilio III changes this with weather-resistant construction that keeps water and moisture from penetrating the body. An anti-stain coating on the lenses also helps water and dirt bead off rather than smearing across the glass.

This upgrade makes the Papilio III more practical for birdwatching in misty mornings, photographing wildflowers after rain, or any outdoor activity where weather can't be controlled. While not submersible, the weatherproofing should handle typical outdoor conditions photographers encounter.

Quality construction

Pentax has equipped both models with fully multi-coated optics and high-quality BaK4 prisms; the same glass found in premium binoculars. Some elements receive Pentax's HD coating, which reduces reflections more effectively than standard coatings, delivering sharper images in challenging light.

The optics include aspherical lens elements to maintain sharpness across the entire view, avoiding the fuzzy edges that plague cheaper binoculars. A generous 15mm of eye relief means eyeglass wearers can see the full field of view comfortably.

The Papilio III comes in two magnifications. The 6.5x model ($159.95) offers a wider field of view and steadier handheld viewing; useful when tracking moving subjects like butterflies or birds. The 8.5x version ($169.95) provides more magnification for studying distant details.

Both models feature 21mm objective lenses, keeping them compact and lightweight. The rubber-armored body improves grip and protects against bumps, while a tripod adapter (sold separately) allows steady viewing during extended observation sessions.

Who should buy them?

The Papilio III WR fills an unusual niche thanks to its unique close-focusing ability: a feature that remains rare among binoculars. The weatherproofing makes this third generation considerably more practical than previous versions, though anyone wanting traditional long-range binoculars might find better value elsewhere. Both models are available now in black or olive finishes, with Pentax continuing to sell the older Papilio II alongside the new weather-resistant ones.

Check out our guide to the best binoculars - and if you want to gift a pair to a younger member of the family, check out our rundown of the best binoculars for kids

In a year when compact cameras boasting up to 60MP sensors hit the market, Time's "Best Inventions 2025" list highlights a different trend. The most celebrated cameras aren't just about raw resolution – they cleverly blend modern technology with nostalgic design elements.

Standout models include the Pentax 17, a half-frame film camera tailored for a smartphone generation craving authentic experiences; the Fujifilm Instax Wide Evo, which merges instant film printing with digital controls; and the Kodak Charmera, a collectible keychain camera that nods to Kodak's disposable legacy.

These cameras prove that innovation can happen by revisiting the past with fresh eyes. Let's explore why these nostalgia-driven cameras captured Time's spotlight amid a year dominated by high-spec digital imaging.

Best inventions 2025

Camp Snap

In a market dominated by AI-enhanced, screen-saturated devices, Camp Snap's innovation lies in what it leaves out. This screen-free digital camera offers a rare, distraction-free experience – capturing 8MP photos with zero filters, apps, or instant previews. Designed for kids but embraced by nostalgic adults, it supports up to 500 shots per USB-C charge. In an age of constant digital feedback, Camp Snap redefines simplicity as a bold, modern design choice.

Fujifilm Instax Wide Evo

The Instax Wide Evo stands out in 2025 by combining instant prints with digital control. Also awarded by the Good Design Awards, it offers a unique hybrid experience: Bluetooth image transfer, customizable lens effects, and a manual print crank for large-format Instax Wide film. Though digital image quality is limited, its intuitive interface and physical print process make instant photography tactile and fun.

Pentax 17

The Pentax 17 is the first major 35mm film camera release in nearly 20 years, designed for a smartphone generation. The half-frame format doubles shots per roll, matching vertical smartphone habits. The sharp lens and reliable zone focusing deliver great images, while its simple controls suit casual shooters. Its revival of film with modern sensibility makes it a noteworthy innovation in today's digital-dominated market.

Special Mentions

Polaroid Flip

The Polaroid Flip combines retro instant camera design with advanced features. Its sonar autofocus uses ultrasonic pulses to detect the subject and select the best lens automatically. A screen display shooting modes, film count and exposure settings, enhancing usability. Remote control via the Polaroid app adds modern convenience. By merging classic aesthetics with smart tech, the Flip brings a user-friendly twist to classic instant photography – making it a standout choice for those who want vintage vibes with modern ease.

Kodak Charmera

The Kodak Charmera revives Kodak's disposable legacy in a miniature digital form, perfect for 2025's gift market. This keychain camera features a 1.5MP sensor and a built-in LCD screen, delivering surprisingly decent images reminiscent of early camera phones. Solid in collectible blind boxes with seven designs, it blends nostalgia with novelty.

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I was scouring garage sales a few years ago when a glint of silver caught my eye. There, among a table of random household detritus, was a Pentax K1000, a retro film camera, SLR style, with a 50mm lens attached. At the time, I hadn’t shot with anything beyond instant film since the little point-and-shoot I’d used in my childhood, but I just couldn’t leave it behind. I dug US$10 (about £7 / AU$15 / CA$14) out of my wallet and brought it home with me.

The K1000 decorated my shelf for a few years before I finally found the courage to load some black and white film inside and see if it even still worked. By then, I owned two K1000s, picking up a second one at another garage sale largely because it was paired with a 90mm Macro lens instead of a 50mm.

I still consider myself a novice at film photography (I still look at the YouTube tutorials every time I load and wind the film). But every time I get a roll back, I’m reminded that photographs don’t have to be perfect to be good. The images are full of film grain, dust and scratches, light leaks, and missed focus and yet, they are still some of my favorite images.

There’s something about film that has more emotion, more soul. Perhaps it's slowing down, knowing full well how expensive it is to develop each roll, manually focusing and putting more time into each shot. Perhaps it's being forced to let go of my perfectionist tendencies that makes the photographs feel more human. I don’t think it's a coincidence that I find myself shooting more film in a world where computers can now generate “photographs.”

The Pentax K1000 launched in 1976, but the camera became so popular, it sold for more than 30 years before being discontinued in 1997. I probably shouldn’t have been surprised that the camera still worked. The K1000 is an all mechanical SLR, with manual loading, advancing, and winding required. Exposure and focus is also set manually. The only thing powered by a small button battery is the light meter.

Framing the shot, twisting the focus dial, and pressing the shutter release feels like an act of faith every time, when I have no idea how or even if the image will turn out. Out of the two rolls I sent back on my latest lab shipment, only one roll had images on it. The film lab had to break the news to me that something went wrong in the film loading process, and no images were ever exposed to the film, a loss I’m still mourning.

I’m still learning film photography, but in a way, the more I learn about film photography, the more I connect with my own images, analog or digital, and the more I fall in love with photography all over again.

I was lucky enough to find a film camera for around the cost of a roll of film by scouring garage sales and estate sales – and it was probably the best US$10 I ever spent.

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When the prototype Pentax Spotmatic was first shown at the 1960 Photokina trade fair in Germany, it was the first SLR to promise both through-the-lens (TTL) metering and the first with spot metering.

But by the time the Spotmatic reached the market, almost half a decade later in 1964, the Topcon RE-Super had beat it to the market with TTL metering by a year – and despite its name, the spot metering was missing!

So the Pentax Spotmatic was first with absolutely nothing, yet was one of the most wildly successful cameras ever made. But why?

The Topcon RE-Super was the first SLR to offer TTL metering and did it at full aperture. The Spotmatic offered stop-down metering. The photographer would focus with the lens wide open, then push up a switch (labelled SW) on the left side of the mirror box to close the lens diaphragm to its shooting aperture.

You would then move the shutter speed dial or the aperture ring to center a needle in the viewfinder. This was nowhere near as convenient as the full aperture metering of the Topcon, especially in low light, but the switch was easy to use and it worked.

The Spotmatic quickly earned a great reputation for reliability (my own Spotmatic still works perfectly, over 50 years later) and featured a rapid wind lever, a self-timer and shutter speeds of up to to 1/1000sec, with great ergonomics.

It was smaller, lighter, retailed at a substantially better price ($249 compared to $369 for the Topcon, both with 50mm f/1.8 lenses) and was much more widely available. Between 1964 and 1976, some 4 million bodies were made.

Curiously, camera historians seem to disagree on why the Spotmatic's planned spot metering never made it into the final camera despite its name implying that it should have this exposure metering mode.

Some say the engineers found it too difficult to implement by the time the camera was to go into production. Others say that management felt it would be too difficult for their customers to use.

Whatever the reason, despite the Spotmatic name being used in a series of later models, Pentax never did make an SLR with spot metering!

Read more of David S Young's ongoing series on classic cameras

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I have to admit, I’ve always had a soft spot for Pentax. In a world dominated by mirrorless cameras and endless autofocus chasing, it's somehow managed to stay delightfully offbeat.

It continues to release DSLRs; it brought back the half-frame format last year with the Pentax 17 film camera, and it just seems to do things its own way. It’s this willingness to surprise that keeps me genuinely interested in what it does next, and its latest user survey has me more intrigued than ever.

Ricoh recently rolled out a survey aimed at Pentax users, and some of the questions point toward ideas that are, frankly, a little bonkers, but in the best possible way. Question 7, for example, asked whether users would consider purchasing a DSLR designed specifically for manual focus.

At first glance, this sounds completely out of step with the times. But then I read the reasoning: a manual-focus DSLR could offer a brighter viewfinder, split-image focusing screens, improved battery life, and a more compact body. Suddenly, what seemed bonkers makes a lot of sense, and I found myself nodding along. A camera like that would feel wonderfully tactile and deliberate, something that really rewards slowing down and thinking about each shot.

Question 8 took things even further, asking whether users would consider a full-frame DSLR designed exclusively for monochrome shooting. Pentax already experimented with this concept with the K-3 III Monochrome, but a full-frame version opens up so many possibilities.

The survey highlights benefits like cleaner noise characteristics, improved ISO performance, and enhanced resolution. And then comes the kicker: the follow-up asked what megapixel count users would prefer – 60MP, 45MP, or 25MP. A 60MP full-frame monochrome DSLR?

Of course, I know this is just Ricoh Pentax feeling out its community. None of these ideas is confirmed, and nothing in a survey guarantees a product will actually hit the shelves. But what I love about Pentax is that it listens to its users in a way that feels genuine, rather than chasing market trends or trying to please everyone.

Imagining a manual-focus, full-frame monochrome DSLR with potentially 60MP is exactly the kind of camera that gets me excited. It’s wild, it’s unexpected, and it feels like something only Pentax could pull off.

If they actually make one, I’ll be first in line to test it. And honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m not the only one. Pentax has always marched to the beat of its own drum, and this survey is a reminder of why so many of us are happy to follow along.

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The Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR is a classic DSLR lens – in fact, it just passed its tenth birthday, marking a decade since the lens was first announced on September 24 2015.

But while this workhorse optic is getting up there in age for a camera lens, shooting with the Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR felt like a nod to the classics. The lens created lovely colors and flare – but there are some downsides to shooting with a DSLR in a mirrorless era, including the autofocus.

K-Mount users don’t have too many options for lens choices, however, as many third-party manufacturers have long shifted focus to mirrorless and don’t offer many K-Mount options new-in-box any more.

That factor could come into play, as Pentax confirmed in 2023 that a successor to the K-1 II is coming, although only rumors have surfaced since then. But, there’s a lot of love left for the Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR.

Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR: Specifications

Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR: Price

The Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR retails new for about $1,300 / £1,180 / AU$1,950.

As an older lens, the workhorse zoom is also often available from reputable used resellers, often at a significant discount – sellers are asking around $500-$900 on eBay in the US, and it's selling for £569-£599 at MPB in the UK.

Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR: Build and handling

Bright workhorse zooms aren’t exactly known for being lightweight and small, but the Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR isn’t terribly heavy nor oversized.

It weighs around 812g / 1 lb 12 oz with the hood attached, a weight that balances well with the oversized grip of a DSLR. That weight feels around average for a lens of this category, while the 109.5mm / 4.31 inch length feels on the shorter end of average.

Many modern mirrorless lenses skip out on the focal distance scale. But this Pentax 24-70mm has a classic DSLR lens design that thankfully still keeps the focal distance scale intact for manual focus scenarios.

Beyond that distance scale window, there’s a thin ring for focus and a thick ring for zoom. Both are nicely textured. The zoom ring has a lock switch that works at 24mm, good for preventing the lens from extending inside a camera bag.

This lens is weather-sealed and I didn’t have any issues with dust or moisture getting inside the lens over the course of my review.

Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR: Performance

When I first picked up the Pentax K-1 Mark II for testing, the shoot was the first time I’d used a DSLR in years – and it only felt right that I pair the body with the focal length that I used most before going mirrorless: a 24-70mm f/2.8.

The images that I shot with the Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR were right on par with what I expected coming from a workhorse DSLR lens, including decent sharpness and solid colors, but there were some autofocus misses.

The autofocus tended to perform just fine with only occasional misses when photographing portraits and landscapes. In limited light and when photographing fast-moving subjects headed straight towards the camera – two notoriously difficult subjects for autofocus to keep up with – performance was more misses than hits.

That’s not terribly surprising, however, mounted on a 4.4fps DSLR. The K-1 Mark II is currently the brand’s only full-frame DSLR, and it's tough to determine if the autofocus misses on action coming towards the camera and low light movement are the camera, the lens or both.

The center is sharp, even wide open at f/2.8, at both the wide, mid and long ends of the lens’ zoom range. The results aren’t as tack-sharp as some mirrorless lenses, but most images were acceptably sharp.

The edges of the image also seem to retain much of that sharpness, even when shooting wide open.

At 24mm, the lens is prone to some barrel distortion, which appears with both JPEGs with in-camera corrections and on the RAW files. That’s typical with wider focal lengths, but worth noting. Lines are near perfectly straight at 70mm and full zoom.

At the corners, some vignetting is noticeable when taking photos on light colored backgrounds. Around half seems to be corrected using lens profile corrections.

The colors coming from the Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR are lovely. Colors feel largely accurate, bordering on rich at times. Occasionally, out-of-focus areas that are backlit may take on a minor blur or purple fringe, but not distractingly so.

The f/2.8 aperture lends itself well to blurred backgrounds, especially at 70mm. Most bokeh forms as rounded balls with soft edges, although occasionally the brightest points of light render with a more soap bubble texture.

One of the things that I loved about this lens, besides the bokeh, was the lens flare. I prefer to keep flare rather than suppress it, and this lens is capable of capturing some nice streaky flare that adds interest but without overpowering the image.

Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR: Sample images

Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR: Verdict

It’s a mirrorless world – and the Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR is living in it. But while the sharpness and autofocus performance don’t match up to some modern glass, this K-Mount lens is priced significantly lower than many mirrorless optics and is still capable of producing lovely images.

Mounted on a DSLR the lens is no lightweight, but it’s not terribly heavy compared to other workhorse zooms. And, there’s something to be said about that classic focal distance scale and balancing the weight of the lens on a camera with a beefier grip.

The Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR is sharp, but not overly so, wide open, has beautiful colors and lovely flare.

There’s some vignetting to contend with, and the widest angles have some barrel distortion that’s noticeable when trying to photograph straight lines. I also wouldn’t recommend the lens for fast action, due to some autofocus misses.

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The cameras topping the best-seller charts right now are often the smallest options – but the limited real estate often means sacrificing some tactile controls. I went the opposite route when I picked up a short-term loan of the Pentax K-1 Mark II.

When I picked up the Pentax K-1 Mark II a few weeks ago, it was my first time using a DSLR since I traded mine in for a mirrorless a few years ago. The experience isn’t tempting me to revert back to the bulkier interchangeable lens camera system, but it is reminding me of the perks of the classic format – and that you don’t have to have the latest, greatest camera to be enamoured with the photographs.

The Pentax K-1 Mark II launched back in 2018. (Pentax confirmed the development of the Pentax K-1 Mark III in 2023, but there's still relatively few official details beyond rumors.) Seven years is a long time for the pace of technology, yet too short to be really considered “retro.”

Still, I’m enamoured with the images that I’ve captured with it so far. The sharpness doesn’t have the razor-thin clarity of some mirrorless optics, and there are plenty of cameras with specs higher than the 36.4 MP full-frame sensor. But I’m rather in love with the colors and contrast on some of the unedited JPEGs that I shot.

Mirrorless cameras are undoubtedly the future, but the experience of using a DSLR still feels quite a bit different. The grip on the K-1 Mark II gives my hand far more to wrap around, and the larger space leaves more real estate for a plethora of controls. Enough controls that it almost becomes hard to remember where they all are, at least at the start.

The optical viewfinder is one of the DSLR-standard features that’s incredibly hard to find on mirrorless. (Cameras like the Fujifilm X-Pro3 have a hybrid viewfinder with an optical and digital option.) On the one hand, the optical viewfinder doesn’t allow you to preview your exposure or color profile. But on the other hand, we’re already bombarded with enough screens, and exposure preview can be a downside in scenarios like exposing with flash.

Then, of course, there’s the battery life. I’ve shot portraits, landscapes, macro, and astrophotography, totalling more than 800 photos. I still haven’t charged the battery since the first time that I pulled it out of the box, and the battery life indicator is still at 75 percent.

What I really missed was the autofocus system on mirrorless cameras. Yes, when mirrorless cameras first came out, DSLRs still had the better focusing system. But eye-detection autofocus is a major perk, not to mention the ability to place the focus point far closer to the edges.

Am I going back to DSLRs? No, I don’t plan to go back, I love the lighter weight and autofocusing perks too much, not to mention DSLRs are no longer the focus of most advancements in imaging.

But I think there’s a lot of pressure in the photography community sometimes to conform to the latest tech and trends. I love my mirrorless camera, but no judgment here if you prefer those beefy grips, plethora of controls, and envious battery life of a DSLR.

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Is a new 61MP DSLR coming soon? That's something few photographers expected to hear again in a market dominated by mirrorless cameras. While most major brands have shifted focus away from DSLRs, Pentax is holding the line – and if the latest rumors are true, it's preparing something big: the Pentax K-1 Mark III launch.

Official development of the K-1 Mark III was confirmed back in 2023. The first detailed camera rumors began to surface in 2024, including an early spec sheet that hinted at a significant leap forward in DSLR design. Now Pentax Rumors has shared that the K-1 Mark III is expected to be announced in October 2025, with shipping likely to begin between late November and December.

A brand-new DSLR with a high-res back-illuminated sensor, in-body image stabilization (IBIS), modern connectivity and top-tier weather sealing almost feels too good to be true. Yet Pentax remains the last major camera brand still designing DSLRs from the ground up.

The latest rumored specs echo those from last year, but they also closely resemble the internals of Sony's top-tier mirrorless flagships – obviously without the electronic viewfinder and with a rugged DSLR body build like a tank.

If the reports are accurate, the Pentax K-1 Mark III wouldn't just be the highest-resolution DSLR ever made, but potentially the most feature-packed DSLR ever released.

Rumored specifications: Pentax K-1 Mark III

• 61MP Sony back-illuminated CMOS sensor
• 4K60p video
• New SAFOX 14 autofocus system for improved focusing performance
• Dual CFexpress Type B slots
• USB-C 3.2 port
• Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS
• 5-axis IBIS
• Same battery (D-LI90)
• Higher-resolution touchscreen
• Joystick
• Price: $2,799 to $2,999

Release Timeline: official development confirmed, with a formal announcement scheduled for October 2025 and shipping expected between late November and December 2025

(Original source)

Let's put this into perspective

Apparently, the Pentax K-1 Mark III will feature a 61MP back-side illuminated sensor with in-body image stabilization, GPS and the latest version (14) of the company's SAFOX autofocus system.

While the latest 2025 rumor omits mention of the Astrotracer system, this Pentax-exclusive feature has been a staple in earlier DSLRs like the K-1 Mark II and the K-3 series. Given its popularity among astrophotographers, it's possible the K-1 Mark III will still include built-in Astrotracer functionality – but its absence in the latest list could also reflect editorial focus rather than a feature removal.

So, if the rumors of this 61MP full-frame DSLR are true, this camera would surpass DSLR powerhouses like the Canon EOS 5D R's 50.3MP sensor by a significant margin. That would make the Pentax K-1 Mark III the current resolution ruler of the full-frame DSLR sector, standing in competition with today's high-end mirrorless cameras in terms of image detail – a feat that no existing DSLR has achieved.

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In the camera world of 2025, mirrorless cameras are booming. No doubt about that. They're fast, compact, tech-packed – and clearly the mainstream choice today. But... DSLRs are still shipping in the millions.

Despite the hype around mirrorless, many of us still swear by the optical clarity, battery life, durability, and overall shooting experience that only (!) DSLRs can deliver. And now we've got the numbers to prove it.

According to DC Life, citing the Nikkei Financial Yearbook "Industry Map", we now have a clear breakdown of DSLR and mirrorless camera shipments by manufacturer – focused on Canon, Nikon, and Pentax. So let's dive in, and put things into perspective...

While DSLR shipments have dropped over time, the demand is far from gone. Canon, for one, has not launched a new DSLR model since 2020. But it shipped an impressive 790,000 DSLR units in 2024 alone. That's nearly 90% of the entire DSLR market worldwide. Nikon, on the other hand, dropped from 440,000 units in 2021 to just 70,000 in 2024, while Pentax has held steady at around 10,000 units per year – a small but loyal niche.

Those numbers tell a story many of us still feel in our hands. That the DSLR experience is something mirrorless just hasn't replaced yet.

Canon's continued success is likely driven by entry-level bundles, which remain attractive to beginners, students, and enthusiasts. There's also a massive legacy audience out there – photographer with decades of EF-mount lenses, built-out kits, and no reason to switch systems when their DSLR still works just fine.

Nikon is all-in mirrorless, with a significant growth from 290,000 units in 2021 to 760,000 units in 2024. But Pentax isn't chasing mainstream. Instead, it's embracing DSLR as a niche tool. With cameras like the K-3 Mark II Monochrome, Pentax is leaning into the artistry of photography, betting on analog-style shooters who want a more tactile, focused experience.

Mirrorless is mainstream – DSLR is for those who know why

Yes, mirrorless is the future – it's where innovation is happening, and for anyone starting fresh, it makes sense to go that route. The numbers show that mirrorless shipments have grown over 1.6 million units since 2021, a 43% increase. But what the same numbers also show is that the DSLR isn't dead – it's just taken a different place in the market.

I still have my DSLR, and I'm not giving it up anytime soon. Maybe never. Because there's a certain connection to the craft that I just don't get from mirrorless. It's a reliable, beautiful, and simple tool that feels right.

So, the next time someone asks you why you're still "stuck" with a DSLR, just show them the numbers. Show them that nearly a million DSLRs shipped last year, that Canon still leads the market with zero new models in five years, and that photographers like you and me are still out there, loving shooting with a DSLR. It's a system that is solid, trusted, and for many of us, it's still the choice.

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Looking for an early bargain? The Amazon Prime Day camera deals don't officially start until next week, but this saving has snuck out the back door!

Right now you can buy the waterproof, freezeproof, crushproof, shockproof and acid-proof Pentax WG-1000 for just £214 – that's its lowest price of the year!

I own quite a few rugged waterproof cameras, but none of mine are anywhere near as tough as this one!

The Pentax WG-1000 (review) is going to be your perfect adventure buddy for taking photos in extreme conditions. Maybe it's white water rafting, maybe it's rock climbing, maybe it's surfing or sand duning – this camera can withstand it all.

It boasts IPX8, JIS Class 8 waterproofing, which means it can shoot down to 15m / 49ft for up to an hour. It's dustproof to IP6X, JIS Class 6, so debris just brushes right off. It's shockproof to falls of 2m / 6.5ft, so you don't need to worry about dropping it.

Coolest of all, though, is that the WG-1000 can also withstand chemicals such as ethanol, sodium hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide – though I won't ask why you'd be exposing it to those!

It's a capable camera, with a versatile 27-108mm zoom lens and a back-side illuminated 16MP sensor to harvest every drop of precious light when shooting underwater.

There are a couple of compromises – like many compacts, its 1/2.3-inch sensor doesn't produce the most detail in the world, and it doesn't shoot RAW images or 4K video.

But I don't think that matters; this is the ultimate burner camera that you can take anywhere to photograph anything – and at this super low price, you really can't go wrong. This is a great camera to keep in your glove compartment, in your climbing bag… heck, just clip it to your backpack and take it with you everywhere!

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Check out more of the best waterproof cameras and, if you want something small that you're going to take better care of, take a look at the best compact cameras.

Tucked away in the menus of the Ricoh GR III, under a section called Image Atmosphere (Image Control), is a setting called 'High Contrast B&W'.

According to the compact camera's manual, it "takes a black and white image with stronger contrast," mimicking "a grainy feel… such as that created with ultra-high-sensitivity film or push-processed film." But let’s be honest, anyone who’s spent time with the gritty streets of Tokyo, whether in real life or through the pages of a photography book, knows exactly who this mode is channeling.

It’s not officially called Moriyama Mode, but it might as well be.

Daido Moriyama, the Japanese street photographer whose radical, high-contrast, grain-heavy images redefined an entire generation’s idea of photographic freedom, has long been associated with compact cameras such as the Nikon Coolpix and, in modern times, the Ricoh GR.

The fact that his signature aesthetic is quietly embedded in the GR III’s default modes feels like an open secret. It also feels like a missed opportunity. Why hasn’t Ricoh leaned into this more directly? Better yet, why aren’t other brands doing the same?

Fujifilm has seen huge success with its Film Simulations, not just for the aesthetic quality they offer, but for the deeper emotional connection they foster with photography’s analog past. But what if the next evolution isn’t about films, but photographers?

Imagine image profiles designed to echo the visual styles of iconic artists: a Vivian Maier mode with a softer contrast, or a Salgado monochrome mode with deep blacks.

Of course, some might argue this opens the door to imitation by photographers leaning too heavily on someone else’s visual language. That’s a fair concern. But the intention wouldn’t be to encourage copying, any more than using Tri-X or Portra does.

These simulations would serve as creative invitations, not limits: a way to experiment, learn, and grow through influence, rather than mimicry. Just as painters study masters before developing their own voice, photographers can benefit from understanding the tonal structures and atmospheres that shaped the greats.

For a brand like Ricoh, whose GR cameras already have a devoted cult following and deep roots in street photography, this kind of storytelling could be game-changing. Not only would it acknowledge the legacy of photographers like Moriyama, but it would give new users a tangible way to explore visual identity, not through specs, but through feeling.

Because ultimately, that’s what draws so many of us to photography in the first place. Sometimes, the best way to find your own voice is to walk for a while in someone else’s shoes, or in this case, someone else’s shadows and grain.

Above: A TikTok looking at Daido Moriyama's book Record 2.

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Check out our guide to the best compact cameras, and if you like Daido Moriyama's style, you might like my recent article on the style of are, bure, boke.