The Pentax K-01 (2012) — the world’s first K-mount mirrorless camera, designed by Marc Newson, with a 16.3 MP APS-C sensor and native compatibility with the entire Pentax K-mount lens range. Estimated shutter life ~100,000 actuations. Count is stored in PEF RAW files.
Check Shutter Count →The Pentax K-01 was announced at CP+ in February 2012 as a groundbreaking concept: a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera built around the full-size Pentax K-mount, eliminating the mirror box while retaining complete backwards compatibility with every K-mount lens ever made — with no flange-distance adapter required. The body was designed by Marc Newson and features a flat, minimalist “slab” form with bold accent colouring options (black, yellow, white). The sensor is a 16.28 MP APS-C CMOS with SR (Shake Reduction) IBIS, dust removal via the AA filter, and PEF RAW format. Estimated shutter life: approximately 100,000 actuations.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Est. Shutter Life | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentax K-01 | 2012 | 16.28 MP APS-C CMOS | ~100,000 | PEF / DNG |
| Pentax K-5 II (contemporary pro) | 2012 | 16.28 MP APS-C CMOS | ~100,000 | PEF / DNG |
| Pentax K-30 (contemporary mid) | 2012 | 16.28 MP APS-C CMOS | ~100,000 | PEF / DNG |
exiftool -ShutterCount yourfile.PEF. Pentax PEF files store shutter count in the MakerNote under the ShutterCount field.| Actuation Count | % of Est. Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 5,000 | 0 – 5 % | Near new — very low use |
| 5,000 – 30,000 | 5 – 30 % | Light use |
| 30,000 – 60,000 | 30 – 60 % | Moderate use |
| 60,000 – 85,000 | 60 – 85 % | High use — negotiate price |
| 85,000 + | 85 %+ | Near or past estimated life |
The K-01 was Pentax’s first mirrorless concept: removing the mirror box and pentaprism allowed a flatter, more compact body design while retaining the full K-mount flange distance. Without a mirror, there is no optical viewfinder. Composition is done via the 3-inch tilting rear LCD (live view). An optional external optical viewfinder was not offered — the K-01 was designed as an LCD-only camera.
All Pentax K-mount lenses work natively: DA and DA★ lenses (APS-C, full AF and exposure), FA lenses (full-frame designed, full AF), A-series lenses (stop-down aperture via manual ring, metered), M-series and older K-mount lenses (fully manual, stop-down metering). The K-01’s SR IBIS works with all lenses. Note: large lenses (70–200mm f/4, 300mm+) can look physically oversized on the flat K-01 body.
Verify shutter count via Setup menu or PEF ExifTool. Test the 3-inch tilting LCD hinge (the primary physical wear point — confirm smooth tilt with no cracking at the pivot). Test SR IBIS function. Inspect the K-mount ring for corrosion or mechanical damage from large lenses. Check the D-LI90 battery capacity (12+ year old batteries often hold 50% or less of rated capacity). Confirm dust removal function works. Test video recording (1080p/30fps).
The K-30 (released 2 months after the K-01) has the same sensor, adds an optical viewfinder, weather sealing (17 seals vs none on K-01), a dedicated mode dial, and better ergonomics for lens-heavy shooting. The K-01 wins on design appeal, size when used with pancake lenses (DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited is the classic pairing), and unique Marc Newson aesthetic. For practical photography, the K-30 is generally the better buy.