Are you looking for one of the best Pentax cameras? This is your indispensable guide, with our team having tested and reviewed all the major releases from the much-loved manufacturer.
While Canon and Nikon have moved into the mirrorless space, Pentax has stayed resolute as the last DSLR-focused manufacturer on the market. This has won it plenty of fans in the photographic community, as many people simply prefer the handling of DSLRs. Pair one of these cameras with some of the best Pentax K-mount lenses, and you'll get incredible value for money.
We've focused on digital gear in this particular guide, meaning you won't see one of Pentax's latest releases, the Pentax 17, or any of the firm's legacy film SLRs. If you're more interested in analogue than digital, check out our best film camera guide for our top choices. We have also left out the small-sensor waterproof cameras made by parent company Ricoh and Pentax – check out our best waterproof cameras guide for more on these.
We've focused solely on Pentax DSLRs and medium format cameras, ranked by factors like price and features, to help you find the right Pentax camera for you.
Gareth Bevan
Gareth is the Reviews Editor at Digital Camera World, and the person in charge of approving all the latest camera-related tech. With several years of experience as a photographer and videographer, shooting for some household names, he has learned a thing or two about cameras and the photography industry. Outside of photography, expect to find him cycling around London, or deep in a Netflix binge.
A classic DSLR option for those looking for the best Pentax digital camera to buy, the K-1 Mark II packs in a lot of features while handling in a familiar manner for photo enthusiasts.
Eagle-eyed Pentax watchers will notice a lot of similarities between the older Pentax K-70 and the latest Pentax KF with only a couple of minor changes such as a higher-resolution LCD screen and a marginally lower weight.
If it’s a high-resolution Pentax camera you need above all else, you’ll be pleased to learn that this medium format option handles a bit like a bigger version of Pentax’s K-3 DSLR – which means it’s not overly daunting for those making the step up.
Pentax's mid-range DSLR with an APS-C sensor, the K-3 Mark III is an excellent choice for enthusiasts, with two card slots, 5.5-stop in-body stabilisation and impressive high-ISO performance. Much more tempting now the price has come down.
With the standard Pentax weather-resistant exterior and an on-board 4.5-stop IBIS system, the Pentax K-70 offers very impressive value for money to enthusiast photographers. Its battery life isn't the best in class, however.
With a monochrome-only sensor, this specialized version of the K-3 Mark III produces images with brilliant detail and dynamic range. It's also both cheaper and more versatile than its main rivals from Leica, making it a winning choice for B&W lovers.
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Max burst speed: 4.4fps (6.4fps in APS-C crop mode)
Max video resolution: 1080p
User level: Enthusiast/professional
Reasons to buy
+
36MP full frame sensor
+
Sturdy construction
+
Ergonomic controls
Reasons to avoid
-
Video could be improved
-
Only 4.4fps continuous shooting
A classic DSLR option for those looking for the best Pentax digital camera to buy, the K-1 Mark II packs in a lot of features while handling in a familiar manner for photo enthusiasts.
This being a Pentax, we get built-in shake-reduction (something you'll see a fair amount on this list, but the real selling point here is the full frame sensor with its 36.4 million pixel resolution. Something else we found impressive when we reviewed the camera was the ‘scissor action’ articulating rear screen and extended exposure modes, along with two SD card slots.
It’s not all great news; the camera offers only a modest 4.4 fps maximum burst speed when shooting in full frame, which, while adequate, won’t impress sports or action photographers. There’s also no hybrid phase-detection AF system for its live view mode and ‘only’ Full HD video capability rather than 4K, but we are blessed by the same accurate and well-performing 33-point AF system as its predecessor.
Ultimately though, excellent image quality at an affordable price is what you’ll be buying this flagship Pentax DSLR for, and that makes it our top pick for the majority of photographers.
Eagle-eyed Pentax watchers will notice a lot of similarities between the older Pentax K-70 and the latest Pentax KF with only a couple of minor changes such as a higher-resolution LCD screen and a marginally lower weight.
As a mid-range model aimed at enthusiast photographers, the Pentax KF ticks all the right boxes without setting the world on fire. Combining a Hybrid AF in Live View, with 4.5 stops of image stabilization, a built-in flash, bulb mode, and an articulating screen, this is a very versatile photography first camera.
Designed and built with classic Pentax steadfastness, the Pentax KF is tough and weather-sealed with water and dustproofing and provides dependable cold-proof performance down to as low as 14°F (-10°C).
High priced – when compared to full frame equivalents
If it’s a high-resolution Pentax camera you need above all else, you’ll be pleased to learn that this medium format option handles a bit like a bigger version of Pentax’s K-3 DSLR – which means it’s not overly daunting for those making the step up.
The 645Z, which replaced the earlier 645D, is solid in feel and weather-proof in build, so it doesn’t mind a spot of rain, while it is also one of the more affordable MF cameras available. It's flexible too, allowing for up to 10 Raw files or 30 high-quality JPEGs to be shot at its maximum capture speed of 3fps. While that’s not a match for a high-end DSLR, most people won’t be buying a medium format camera with speed as a priority, but rather resolution.
Creative flexibility extends to being provided with a tilting 3.3-inch screen here, which is both capable of live view capture and aiding and abetting the recording of Full HD movies, for which a stereo microphone port is provided.
There are also, usefully, two SD card slots for dealing with all that data. If it’s a more approachable and slightly more affordable medium format camera you’re after, the well-received 645Z ticks many boxes.
Launched in March 2021, the Pentax K-3 III is the first DSLR to be launched for a while by any manufacturer – and is yet more proof that Ricoh is sticking to its word of not making the switch to mirrorless cameras. The camera gets a new sensor that pushes up the resolution very slightly from 24MP to 25.7M – and this is powered by a new processor that offers an unbelievably high ISO rating of 1,600,000. The in-body image stabilization promises 5.5 stops of shake compensation - and there are two SD memory card slots (one of which is UHS-II compatible).
This is the first K-series camera to feature a touch-sensitive screen - but unlike some of its siblings, this is fixed and can not be swung or rotated. It is also the first Pentax DSLR to offer 4K video shooting.
On first review, we were distinctly unimpressed with the launch price of the Pentax K-3 Mark III, which was set at a decidedly ambitious $2,000/£1,900. This is pretty ludicrous for an APS-C DSLR, so we're pleased to see it has generally come down even in the relatively short time since the camera's release.
Rugged of build to a semi-pro standard plus smart of design, the K-70 is probably the best all-round Pentax camera enthusiast photographers can buy, by virtue of its weather-resistant exterior being a rarity at its price. Also handy is an in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system with an equivalent performance of 4.5EV stops, and, for traditionalists, the fact that its optical viewfinder features a nearly 100% field of view. With an 11-point AF system offered, the Pentax uses a hybrid combination of phase-detection AF and contrast-detection AF when shooting using live view.
We’re used to mirrorless cameras offering a modest battery life, so the 480 shots delivered here seem fair, though it’s a little disappointing for a DSLR. Still, combine this with a variable angle LCD and pictorial output that requires very little in the way of adjustment, if any, and the K-70 reveals itself as one of the more reliable and consistent DSLRs you can buy.
A monochrome-only DSLR that produces brilliant image detail
Specifications
Type: DSLR
Sensor: APS-C (monochrome)
Megapixels: 25.7 MP
Screen: 3.2-inch LCD, 1.62 million dots
Viewfinder: Optical
Max burst speed: 12fps
Max video resolution: 4K
User level: Enthusiast
Reasons to buy
+
Gorgeous B&W image quality
+
Effective in-body stabilization
+
Excellent noise control
Reasons to avoid
-
Fixed rear screen
-
An expensive proposition
If you're someone whose primary interest is black and white photography, it makes sense to look at dedicated monochrome cameras like the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome. It's essentially the same proposition as the Pentax K-3 Mark III featured above, with the same APS-C sensor — only the crucial difference is that the color filter array has been removed. With no interpolation process required to make the final image, the camera is able to capture photographs with sharper detail, lower noise, better low-light performance and smoother tonal transitions.
This follows in the footsteps of popular Leica cameras like the Leica Q2 Monochrom and the Leica M11 Monochrom. However, as these are respectively a fixed-lens compact and a manual-focus rangefinder, the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome still marks itself out as a unique prospect by virtue of being a DSLR with autofocus. Plus, it's about half the price (though still on the expensive side for an APS-C DSLR). Producing sumptuously detailed and expressive images, this is one of the most accessible cameras on the market for monochrome enthusiasts.
Choosing your ideal Pentax camera is a little easier than with other brands, as Pentax's lineup is limited by comparison. Pentax also only makes DSLR cameras, so you don't have the DSLR vs Mirrorless question hanging over your decision-making.
Picking the perfect Pentax camera depends on what you love to capture. If you enjoy taking landscapes or portraits, then a bigger sensor with a higher megapixel count is the way to go. If you take a lot of sports and wildlife, then a high shutter speed and an APS-C sensor with its increased reach might be a better solution for you.
Looking for a Pentax camera as a videographer? You might not have picked the best brand, and although some of the Pentax cameras above are capable of video, you might be best looking at the best camera for video.
And let's not forget the budget! From the beginner-friendly Pentax K-70 to the pro-level Pentax K-1 Mark II, the best Pentax camera is the one that suits both your finances and shooting style.
(Image credit: Rod Lawton)
Are Pentax cameras good for video?
If you are looking for the best camera for video, your best bet would be to look at mirrorless cameras from other brands. While Pentax's DSLR cameras can shoot video, it is not up to Sony, Panasonic, and co's standards.
Is Pentax still good?
This depends entirely on your needs and preferences as a photographer. If you prefer the DSLR experience of using an optical viewfinder and are happy to compromise on some of the cutting-edge technology only available in the best mirrorless cameras, then you will be very happy with your choice of a Pentax.
In our evaluation process, we thoroughly examine Pentax DSLR cameras through a combination of real-life usage scenarios and meticulous lab assessments.
With our controlled lab settings, we gauge various factors such as resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio. To measure resolution, we employ ISO resolution charts, while our analysis of dynamic range involves specialized equipment like the DxO Analyzer. Additionally, for noise analysis spanning the camera's ISO range, we rely on the DxO Analyzer as well.
In our practical field tests we take cameras out and put them through their paces in real-world shooting situations, examining how the camera handles, how easy it is to use, and overall our impressions of the image and video quality.
We combine all this data into the review to give a comprehensive overview of each and every camera we test.
Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.
