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Pentax

K-1

Original 36MP full-frame Pentax DSLR with 5-axis SR, AA filter simulator, and weather sealing.

$1,799

Launch price

Released Apr 2016

vs

Sigma

fp L

World's smallest full-frame interchangeable camera with 61MP and L-mount.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Jul 2021

fp L is 5.2 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

K-1

WildlifePortrait

Wins

4categories

fp L

LandscapePortrait

8 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

K-1 wins 3 categories·fp L wins 2 categories
  • AK-1 has higher AF points / zones (101 vs 49)
  • AK-1 has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
  • Bfp L has higher Resolution (61 MP vs 36.4 MP)
  • AK-1 has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
  • Bfp L has lower Weight (720 g vs 1010 g)

Key specs at a glance

K-1fp L
Resolution36.4 MP61 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max25,60025,600
Burst20 fps15 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS5-stop6-stop
Weight1010 g720 g
Battery640 shots640 shots

Size and weight, to scale

K-1

137 × 111 × 87 mm

1010 g (2.23 lb / 35.63 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

fp L

138 × 98 × 88 mm

720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)

K-1 is 1mm narrower and 2mm thinner than fp L but it is also 13mm taller.

K-1 is 290 g heavier than fp L.

Depth (front-to-back): 87mm K-1 · 88mm fp L

Sensor size, to scale

K-1

35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame

862 mm² area

fp L

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

K-1

✓ more lenses

Pentax K

70+

native lenses available

30 first-party40 third-party

fp L: mount data unavailable

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-1fp L
Portrait
8.0Excellent
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
6.0Good
Landscape
7.5Good
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Travel
6.5Good
6.5Good
Wildlife
9.0Excellent✓ wins
8.0Excellent
Vlogging
5.5Fair
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

K-1

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 137, 110.5, 86.5

  • AF points / zones

    101 vs 49 — higher is better

  • RAW buffer depth

    120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better

  • EVF resolution

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

  • Burst (mechanical)

    8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better

  • AF frame coverage

    100 % vs 90 % — higher is better

Reasons to choose

fp L

  • AF low-light limit

    -5 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 138, 98, 88

  • Resolution

    61 MP vs 36.4 MP — higher is better

  • Weight

    720 g vs 1010 g — lower is better

  • IBIS effectiveness

    6 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • ISO max (native)Both 25,600
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Pre-Capture / Pre-ReleaseBoth support pre-capture / pre-release

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

K-1

Pros

  • 36MP full-frame
  • IBIS in DSLR
  • AA filter simulator
  • Weather sealed

Cons

  • Slow AF vs mirrorless
  • Heavy
  • Superseded by K-1 II

fp L

Pros

  • Tiny full-frame
  • 61MP
  • L-mount
  • Unique industrial design

Cons

  • No IBIS
  • Small battery
  • Minimal ergonomics

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the K-1 and fp L 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
fp L
Resolution
36.4 MP
61 MP+68%
Sensor type
Full Frame CMOS
Full Frame CMOS
Sensor size
35.9 × 24.0 mm
36.0 × 24.0 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
K-1
fp L
Processor
Image processor
Image processor
K-1
fp L
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
K-1
fp L
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 or fp L?

fp L scores 9.0/10 versus 7.5/10 for K-1 — 61MP — massive detail for large prints.

What's the resolution difference between the K-1 and fp L?

K-1 is 36.4 MP and fp L is 61 MP, so the fp L captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the K-1 and fp L have in-body image stabilization?

K-1 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while fp L has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the K-1 or the fp L?

K-1 reaches 20 fps electronic. fp L reaches 15 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the K-1 and fp L?

K-1 weighs 1010 g and fp L weighs 720 g, so the fp L is 290 g lighter.

Do the K-1 and fp L record 4K video?

K-1: 4K up to 60p. fp L: 4K up to 60p.

Are the K-1 and fp L weather sealed?

K-1: Yes. fp L: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-1 and 640 shots for the fp L, giving the fp L the edge.

How much does each cost?

K-1 launched at $1,799 and fp L at $2,499. The K-1 is $700 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way K-1 vs fp L vs X comparison.

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