Pentax KP

The Pentax KP is an APS-C DSLR released in 2017. It pairs a 24 megapixel sensor with in-body stabilisation and weather sealing, which makes it a natural fit for outdoor and travel photographers who shoot in changing conditions.

The body measures 132 x 101 x 76 mm and weighs 703 g, and lens choice runs through the Pentax KAF2 mount.

Handling stays classic DSLR, with an optical pentaprism viewfinder rather than an electronic display. Video stops at Full HD, so the KP suits photographers first and video work only occasionally.

At the heart of the camera sits a 24 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with the Prime IV processor. That resolution leaves room to crop tightly and still print large, while the ISO range stretches from 100 all the way to 819200 for shooting in very dim light.

Stabilisation is built into the body rather than the lens, so it reduces camera shake no matter which optic you fit. Handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds becomes practical, which helps in shade, indoors and toward the end of the day.

For action, the shutter reaches 1/6000 s and the drive manages up to 7 fps. Autofocus draws on 27 points, and the optical pentaprism viewfinder gives a clear, immediate view while you track subjects.

Lenses attach through the Pentax KAF2 mount, which defines the lens system you can build around this body.

Video recording tops out at Full HD resolution. Frame rates reach a maximum of 30 fps. That resolution handles everyday clips, family footage and web publishing, but there is no 4K option for anyone whose output is headed to large screens.

A timelapse function is built in, so the camera records interval sequences without an external controller. It suits slowly changing subjects such as clouds, tides or light moving across a landscape.

Clips record as MPEG-4 or MOV files. Because the optical viewfinder cannot display video, framing happens through live view on the 3-inch LCD.

For a stills-first DSLR, treat video as an occasional tool rather than the main reason to buy. It covers documentation and short clips in that role.

The 3-inch LCD carries 921,000 dots and flips out from the body, which makes waist-level and overhead framing straightforward. It is not a touchscreen, so menu changes happen through the physical controls instead.

Weather sealing protects the camera against dust and moisture in the field, so changing conditions do not end a shoot. It is not a waterproof rating, so the KP still needs care in heavy rain.

A built-in flash covers quick fill light, and the camera also takes external flash units when you need more power.

WiFi and Bluetooth are both built in for wireless connection, and GPS records shooting locations alongside your images, which simplifies organising a travel archive afterwards.

The KP takes a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, with UHS-I support for faster cards. With only one slot, everything from a shoot sits on one card, so carrying a spare and copying files off promptly are sensible habits.

The D-LI109 battery is rated at 390 shots. Real endurance varies with live view, flash use and temperature, so treat that figure as a baseline for planning rather than a promise.

There is no USB charging, so the battery recharges only in an external charger. Anyone shooting long days or travelling should budget for at least one spare battery and a place to charge it.