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Pentax

K-1 Mark II

36MP full-frame DSLR with IBIS and rugged build.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Feb 2018

vs

Pentax

KF

Updated K-70 with modern connectivity and the same rugged Pentax philosophy.

$849

Launch price

Released Nov 2022

KF is 4.7 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

K-1 Mark II

WildlifePortrait

Wins

1categories

KF

WildlifeTravel

11 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

K-1 Mark II wins 4 categories·KF wins 1 categories
  • AK-1 Mark II has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
  • AK-1 Mark II has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
  • AK-1 Mark II has higher Resolution (36 MP vs 24.2 MP)
  • BKF has lower Weight (520 g vs 720 g)
  • AK-1 Mark II has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 6 fps)

Key specs at a glance

K-1 Mark IIKF
Resolution36 MP24.2 MP
SensorFull FrameAPS-C
ISO max25,60025,600
Burst20 fps15 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS7-stop6-stop
Weight720 g520 g
Battery640 shots640 shots

Size and weight, to scale

K-1 Mark II

138 × 98 × 88 mm

720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

KF

138 × 98 × 88 mm

520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)

K-1 Mark II and KF share virtually identical body dimensions.

K-1 Mark II is 200 g heavier than KF.

Depth (front-to-back): 88mm K-1 Mark II · 88mm KF

Sensor size, to scale

K-1 Mark II

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

KF

23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C

367 mm² area

2.4× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

K-1 Mark II

✓ more lenses

Pentax K

70+

native lenses available

30 first-party40 third-party

KF

✓ more lenses

Pentax K

70+

native lenses available

30 first-party40 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseK-1 Mark IIKF
Portrait
8.0Excellent✓ wins
6.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
6.0Good
Landscape
7.5Good✓ wins
5.0Fair
Travel
7.5Good
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Wildlife
9.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Vlogging
5.5Fair
7.0Good✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

K-1 Mark II

  • AA filter

    Only K-1 Mark II supports it

  • RAW buffer depth

    120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better

  • EVF resolution

    3,690,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better

  • Resolution

    36 MP vs 24.2 MP — higher is better

  • Burst (mechanical)

    8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better

  • IBIS effectiveness

    7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better

Reasons to choose

KF

  • Weight

    520 g vs 720 g — lower is better

Both cameras share

  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • ISO max (native)Both 25,600
  • AF points / zonesBoth 101
  • AF frame coverageBoth 100 %
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

K-1 Mark II

Pros

  • 36MP FF DSLR
  • IBIS
  • Rugged
  • Affordable used

Cons

  • DSLR
  • Slow AF
  • Heavy

KF

Pros

  • Weather sealed
  • IBIS
  • Affordable DSLR

Cons

  • DSLR platform
  • No 4K
  • Niche ecosystem

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the K-1 Mark II and KF at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

K-1 Mark II
KF
Resolution
36 MP+49%
24.2 MP
Sensor type
Full Frame CMOS
APS-C CMOS
Sensor size
36.0 × 24.0 mm
23.5 × 15.6 mm
AA filter
Yes
No
K-1 Mark II
KF
Processor
Image processor
Image processor
K-1 Mark II
KF
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
K-1 Mark II
KF
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/16000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for landscape, K-1 Mark II or KF?

K-1 Mark II scores 7.5/10 versus 5.0/10 for KF — 36MP — ample resolution.

What's the resolution difference between the K-1 Mark II and KF?

K-1 Mark II is 36 MP and KF is 24.2 MP, so the K-1 Mark II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the K-1 Mark II and KF have in-body image stabilization?

K-1 Mark II has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while KF has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the K-1 Mark II or the KF?

K-1 Mark II reaches 20 fps electronic. KF reaches 15 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the K-1 Mark II and KF?

K-1 Mark II weighs 720 g and KF weighs 520 g, so the KF is 200 g lighter.

Do the K-1 Mark II and KF record 4K video?

K-1 Mark II: 4K up to 60p. KF: 4K up to 60p.

Are the K-1 Mark II and KF weather sealed?

K-1 Mark II: Yes. KF: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-1 Mark II and 640 shots for the KF, giving the KF the edge.

How much does each cost?

K-1 Mark II launched at $1,999 and KF at $849. The KF is $1,150 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way K-1 Mark II vs KF vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.