Pentax KF Black

The Pentax KF's 24.8MP sensor ranks in the 89th percentile, delivering impressive image quality and low-light chops. But its 11-point AF system scrapes the bottom of our database at the 2nd percentile, and video is capped at 1080p. It's a niche pick for weather-sealed stills on a budget.

The Pentax KF sports a 24.8MP APS-C sensor that lands in the 89th percentile in our database, so stills look crisp and detailed. That's the good news. The 11-point autofocus system, on the other hand, scrapes the bottom at the 2nd percentile, and it's genuinely frustrating to use next to any modern mirrorless camera. Still, if you're after a tough, weather-sealed DSLR that feels like a solid chunk of metal in your hand, the KF has a certain old-school charm.

The sensor really is the star here. With 24.8 megapixels and a native ISO range stretching to 102,400, you get rich, low-noise images that outperform most APS-C rivals. That 89th percentile ranking places it just behind some full-frame options in pure image quality. In-body stabilization rated at 4.5 stops is a welcome bonus, keeping shots steady at slower shutter speeds. The optical viewfinder is bright and, according to our data, essentially top of the charts, though we suspect that's because most people comparing it are shooting through a prism rather than an EVF. The 6fps burst is okay for casual action, but 11 AF points are ancient by today's standards, and tracking moving subjects is a chore. Video tops out at 1080p/60 with no 4K option, which is a dealbreaker for many hybrid shooters.

Pricing is all over the map, with vendors listing the KF body between $697 and $1,690. At the low end, this is a solid entry point for weather-sealed stills photography, especially if you already own K-mount glass. Spend anywhere near the top of that spread, though, and you're in mirrorless territory where cameras like the Sony a6700 or Canon R6 Mark II absolutely run circles around this DSLR in autofocus and video.

Stacked against the competition, the KF is a relic. The Fujifilm X-H2 offers 40MP and 8K video, the Panasonic S5IIX brings 6K open gate and phase-detect AF, and even the APS-C Sony a6700 hits 4K/120 with AI-driven subject tracking. Each of those also has modern autofocus systems that make the KF's 11-point module feel like something from a museum. If your world is entirely about rugged manual-focusing with a prime lens in bad weather, the Pentax can still hang, but for literally anything else, the mirrorless crowd has left it in the dust.

Anyone who shoots video, needs responsive autofocus for action, or just expects modern mirrorless conveniences should avoid the KF. If you're a hybrid shooter who splits time between stills and video, or you need reliable eye-tracking AF, this camera will frustrate you daily.

We can only recommend the Pentax KF if you're a diehard Pentax fan or you specifically need a weather-sealed DSLR at a bargain price. The sensor is genuinely lovely for stills, and the build quality is outstanding, but the autofocus and video performance are so far behind that most people should look at a used mirrorless body instead. If you can snag it under $800 and you know exactly why you want a DSLR, it might make sense. Otherwise, pass.