Pentax Ends Production of Last DSLR Camera
Ricoh Imaging has ceased production of the Pentax K-1 Mark II DSLR camera in Japan. This marks the end of Pentax's digital single-lens reflex camera manufacturing.
Ricoh Imaging has officially discontinued the Pentax K-1 Mark II, its last remaining DSLR camera model. Major Japanese retailers, including Camera Kitamura and Bic Camera, have listed the camera as "out of production" or "sold out." This move follows the earlier discontinuation of the Pentax KF earlier this year, effectively ending Pentax's line of digital single-lens reflex cameras.
The K-1 Mark II, released in 2018, was Pentax's flagship DSLR. Its production halt signifies a significant shift for the brand in the competitive digital camera market.
Despite the discontinuation, industry publication PetaPixel reports strong indications that Pentax is developing a new DSLR. Ricoh Imaging President Taiji Mori has previously stated that the company's engineers are exploring features for future DSLRs aimed at attracting younger photographers.
Pentax continues to offer other camera products, such as the recently released Pentax 17 film camera, which represents a return to the brand's heritage in analog photography. The Pentax 17 is priced at ¥3,999 in China.