Total K-0!

K-01, actually.

Pentax K-01. My 'New' camera. New to me. It's actually used, I just bought it online from a guy (in Hawaii!) planning to upgrade.

I bought another Pentax because, well, that's what all my lenses are! And I can use them all on this camera.

I posted about getting rid of my K10D Pentax DSLR last year. Since then I haven't been able to use any of my lenses. That was a full on DSLR, 10 megapixel camera. It was good for it's time, but became outdated.

This new camera is 'different'. It uses regular DLSR lenses. But its the only Mirrorless design SLR that Pentax ever produced. Being mirrorless, it has no eyepiece, prism or mirror like DSLRs. You just look at the scene on the monitor on the back. It's supposed to make the camera smaller, and other brands that make mirrorless cameras ARE smaller. But they have different lenses for those cameras. Pentax kept their old DSLR mount for the camera so you could use the old lenses. Which is great. But the design makes the camera almost the same size as a regular DSLR.

It is a unique looking camera. Controversial. Much maligned. It was designed by Marc Newson, an Australian industrial designer. The camera itself is very well made. All metal body, with rubber grips. Very solid. But it looks like a brick. Handles like a brick. Its far from 'ergonomic'. Probably went a little to far to form over function. It's very usable as it is, but certainly could be better. There are workarounds, such as adding stick on grips to the front and back. Which I'm planning to do.

You wouldn't be wrong thinking it looks like its designed for kids by Fisher-Price. They even made it in some colors like bright yellow and bright blue.

But its actually a pretty decent camera. It came out in 2012, about 6 years ago. A very good Sony 16 megapixel sensor. Lots of capabilities and features. Current cameras with this size of sensor usually have 24 MP sensors. But that's some of what 6 years of progress get ya, for more $.

Here's the front of the camera. With my old hand strap attached I had on my DSLR.

The back. No articulated screen which would be nice. But I can live without it. 

The camera was in great shape. Other than a few small scratches the prior owner got on it during a hike, it looks almost like new. And, its only had a little over 1700 photos taken with it. Which is nothing for a 6 year old camera. Came with all the parts and accessories, all for just under $200!

My plan is to use this for a while. While waiting for Pentax to come out with a camera I really want. They have 3 DSLRs out right now, each has features I like and don't like. I'm holding out hope they'll come out with a camera in the future with ALL the features I want, and none of the features I don't. Probably won't happen. They'll probably go out of business before that happens, as they're more of a niche camera company all the time. Unfortunately.

Finishing up with a big and little shot -

Here's my physically smallest (21mm) and biggest (55-300mm) lenses mounted on the camera.

Shots USING the camera? Patience! Soon seeing them you will be, hmmm?