Pentax KP DSLR Camera Body, Black {24.3MP} with Large Grip Kit (O-GP1672)

Pentax KP: a compact APS-C body with a 5-stop shake reduction system

The Pentax KP packs a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor and a sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 819,200 into a mid-size SLR body that weighs just 703g. That range is unusual for a camera this size, and it's paired with a five-axis Shake Reduction II system rated to 5 stops of correction, the same mechanism Pentax uses for Pixel Shift Resolution and the AA Filter Simulator, both of which lean on precise sensor-shift movements than extra glass.

Control-wise, the KP's SAFOX 11 autofocus system offers 27 points, 25 of them cross-type, concentrated toward the center of the frame. Single-shot AF is quick and confident, including with older screw-driven lenses, and low-light focus acquisition holds up as long as you can see your subject through the bright pentaprism viewfinder, which offers 100% coverage and 0.95x magnification. Burst shooting runs to 7 fps, and the electronic shutter extends all the way to 1/24,000 sec for silent, vibration-free exposures in bright light.

The body itself is weather-sealed and built around an interchangeable grip system, three grip sizes that let you tailor the depth and feel of the camera to your hand and to whatever lens you're mounting. A tilting 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots adds framing flexibility for low or overhead angles that a fixed screen can't match. It's a body designed around precision handling and sensor-shift versatility than sheer speed.

Who It's For

Landscape and travel shooters get real use from the KP's 5-stop sensor-shift stabilization and weather-sealed body, letting them work handheld in dim light or rough conditions without a tripod. Astrophotographers benefit from the Night Vision display and AstroTracer star-tracking function (with the optional O-GPS1 unit), both built around the same sensor-shift hardware. Street and documentary photographers will appreciate the compact body and interchangeable grip options, which let the camera pair comfortably with small primes for casual, low-profile shooting. Anyone shooting static scenes in detail, architecture or product work included, can put the Pixel Shift Resolution mode to work for finer per-pixel rendering.

Key Features

• 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with ISO 100–819,200 range
• 5-axis Shake Reduction II with 5 stops of correction
• SAFOX 11 27-point autofocus system with 25 cross-type sensors
• 7 fps burst to 28 JPEG or 8 RAW frames
• 1/24,000 sec electronic shutter for silent, high-speed capture
• Interchangeable grip system in three sizes for custom ergonomics
• Tilting 3-inch, 921,000-dot LCD screen with 100% viewfinder coverage
• Weather-sealed body weighing just 703g with bright pentaprism viewfinder

FAQ

What's the battery life on the KP, and is it a real limitation?

CIPA rates it at 390 shots per charge-roughly half what the K-3 II manages. That's the tradeoff for the compact size. Reviewers consistently report getting significantly more than the CIPA figure in real use, and an optional battery grip is available if you need extended runtime.

Can the KP track moving subjects with its autofocus?

The 27-point SAFOX 11 system excels at single-shot AF and low-light acquisition, even with screw-drive lenses. Continuous AF tracking is weaker-the AF points are concentrated toward the center, and the camera doesn't always provide clear feedback on what it's tracking. For sports or fast-moving subjects, a system with wider AF coverage will serve you better.

How much rolling shutter does the electronic shutter have?

Significant. Testing with fast-moving subjects shows pronounced jello distortion at 1/5,000 sec and faster. The electronic shutter excels for silent shooting, high-speed work in bright daylight, or situations where you need vibration-free capture-but not for panning or tracking fast motion.

Does the 5-stop shake reduction really work, or is that marketing?

Pentax rates the Shake Reduction II system to 5 stops of correction using the smc PENTAX-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL IF DC WR lens at the telephoto end. That's measured to CIPA standards. It's the same mechanism used for Pixel Shift Resolution and AA Filter Simulator, so it's doing multiple jobs beyond stabilization.

What can you do with those interchangeable grips?

Three grip sizes-small, medium, large-fasten to the front with a socket-head screw and hex key (not included). They let you dial in the depth and hand-feel that matches your hand size and your lens choice. The small grip pairs well with pancake primes; heavier zooms start to make the compact body feel undersized, so the larger grips or an optional battery grip help then.

Is the tilting LCD enough, or do I need a flip-out screen?

The tilting 3-inch, 921,000-dot screen gives you framing flexibility for low and overhead angles that a fixed screen can't touch. It only tilts in landscape orientation, so portrait-composition work still requires contortionism. If you shoot a lot of portrait work or need maximum versatility, a tilt-swivel screen would be preferable.

What ISO performance should I expect at extreme sensitivities like 51,200 or higher?

The new 24MP CMOS sensor improves high-ISO noise performance over the K-70, and reviewers note that image quality "comes very close" to the full-frame K-1 even at ISO 51,200. The full range extends to 819,200, but results at the extreme end are best reserved for rescue situations where the shot matters more than pixel-level clarity.