I shot with a DSLR for the first time in years. I didn’t hate it. The Pentax K-1 Mark II is a nod to the era of oversized cameras
By Hillary K. Grigonis
Copyright digitalcameraworld
Skip to main content
Close main menu
Digital Camera World
THE HOME OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
View Profile
Search Digital Camera World
Accessories
Buying Guides
The Photography & Video Show
Digital Camera
Australian Camera
Australian ProPhoto
Photography Magazines
Why subscribe?
Issues filled with product reviews, latest updates, expert advice and more
Delivered to your Android or IOS device
Every issue is packed with photo tips, kit reviews and inspiration
From$12Subscribe now
Camera news
Camera rumors
Photography & Video Show
Cheatsheets
Photo mag deals
Prime Day deals
Don’t miss these
Mirrorless Cameras
I called this “the perfect camera” – so I put my money where my mouth is and bought one
The best Leica cameras in 2025: from classic rangefinders to modern mirrorless
Film Cameras
The best film cameras in 2025: recapture the magic of film in the digital age
Digital Cameras
The best retro cameras: get the classic camera vibe, but digitally!
The best cheap cameras: My picks for great cameras that won’t break the bank
Digital Cameras
The best medium format cameras: 100MP monsters for supreme image quality
DSLR Cameras
DSLR cameras were ditched prematurely – and here’s how we’ve all lost out!
DSLR Cameras
We all know it: DSLRs are not dead – and here’s the proof in numbers
DSLR Cameras
The best full frame DSLR in 2025: My top camera picks for enthusiasts to pros
Here’s why to switch from DSLR to mirrorless… and why NOT to
DSLR Cameras
Who remembers the hype (and headaches) of the Nikon D800? A DSLR revolution that took us by surprise
DSLR Cameras
The Nikon Df doesn’t do video, but still costs US$1,000 used because it’s a beautifully awkward photography gem
DSLR Cameras
Nearly 10 years in, the Nikon D500 is THE budget DSLR for sports and wildlife photography
Compact Cameras
The Canon PowerShot N2 isn’t like other compact cameras – and that’s exactly why it’s fun
DSLR Cameras
Door-busting full-frame DSLR camera deals: Save up to $500 on your next mirror-based camera
Digital Cameras
DSLR Cameras
I shot with a DSLR for the first time in years. I didn’t hate it. The Pentax K-1 Mark II is a nod to the era of oversized cameras
Hillary K. Grigonis
19 September 2025
I’m not going back, but shooting with the Pentax K-1 Mark II was a good reminder that it isn’t always about the latest tech
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Hillary K Grigonis / Future)
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.”
You may like
DSLR cameras were ditched prematurely – and here’s how we’ve all lost out!
We all know it: DSLRs are not dead – and here’s the proof in numbers
The best full frame DSLR in 2025: My top camera picks for enthusiasts to pros
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.
Image 1 of 2
(Image credit: Future)
Unedited JPEGs
(Image credit: Future)
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.
Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter
The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
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.
Today’s best Pentax K-1 II deals
52 Amazon customer reviews
$1,796.95View
$1,796.95View
$1,796.95View
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
You may also like
Considering the Pentax K-1 Mark II? Dive deeper into the differences between DSLR vs. mirrorless first. Or, browse the best DSLRs.
Hillary K. Grigonis
Social Links Navigation
With more than a decade of experience writing about cameras and technology, Hillary K. Grigonis leads the US coverage for Digital Camera World. Her work has appeared in Business Insider, Digital Trends, Pocket-lint, Rangefinder, The Phoblographer, and more. Her wedding and portrait photography favors a journalistic style. She’s a former Nikon shooter and a current Fujifilm user, but has tested a wide range of cameras and lenses across multiple brands. Hillary is also a licensed drone pilot.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
DSLR cameras were ditched prematurely – and here’s how we’ve all lost out!
We all know it: DSLRs are not dead – and here’s the proof in numbers
The best full frame DSLR in 2025: My top camera picks for enthusiasts to pros
Here’s why to switch from DSLR to mirrorless… and why NOT to
Who remembers the hype (and headaches) of the Nikon D800? A DSLR revolution that took us by surprise
The Nikon Df doesn’t do video, but still costs US$1,000 used because it’s a beautifully awkward photography gem
Latest in DSLR Cameras
Are we getting the highest resolution DSLR ever? Pentax K-1 Mark III could be set to pack 61MP, IBIS and more…
We all know it: DSLRs are not dead – and here’s the proof in numbers
The Canon SL3 has aged better than some mirrorless cameras
Best cheap camera deals: Save up to $300 on these budget-friendly mirrorless cameras, from full-frame bodies to shoot-ready kits
Nearly 10 years in, the Nikon D500 is THE budget DSLR for sports and wildlife photography
Door-busting full-frame DSLR camera deals: Save up to $500 on your next mirror-based camera
Latest in Features
I shot with a DSLR for the first time in years. I didn’t hate it. The Pentax K-1 Mark II is a nod to the era of oversized cameras
When was photography invented? Take a look at the world’s first ever photo!
Open gate on your iPhone? Apple just hijacked mirrorless cameras’ killer feature
This stunning photo of Belgrade was captured with a compact camera setup – the Fujifilm X-T30 and 23mm lens
The iPhone 17 Pro’s “3 = 8” lens math doesn’t add up. But the trick to the longest-ever iPhone zoom isn’t about the lens – it’s about the sensor
Stop being afraid to crop – it’s not cheating!
LATEST ARTICLES
The Nikon Z6 III has a HUGE $500 discount at Amazon
Apple admits to a rare issue on the iPhone 17 camera. But as a camera expert, I think what’s happening is two different glitches – and one of them isn’t the camera’s fault
Magnum’s ‘A World in Color’ exhibition brings hidden archives to life at Fujikina London
Viltrox AF 14mm f/4 Air review: This slimline, featherweight contender delivers an immensely wide-angle perspective for full-frame cameras
Viltrox AF 9mm f/2.8 Air review: ultra-wide meets super-skinny in this new APS-C format lens
Digital Camera World is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future’s experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Advertise with us
Accessibility Statement
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
