If the thought of picking up a new Pentax DSLR at an unbelievable price strikes your fancy, we’ve got some great news for you: Black Friday, the biggest sale day of the year, is here. Falling on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday is the day retailers use to unofficially start the holiday shopping season.
To encourage people to make purchases, merchants slash prices to all-time lows, especially on high-demand items such as cameras and other small electronics. Without question, Black Friday is the best time of year to score that shiny new Pentax for a fantastic bargain.
Of course, the thought of shopping on Black Friday may have you frazzled before the sales even begin. We’ve taken some of the weight off your shoulders by providing links to Pentax DSLRs Black Friday savings.
DON’T MISS: Best Black Friday camera deals 2016
SEE MORE
Sony Black Friday Deals 2016: best offers on top cameras
Fuji Black Friday Deals 2016: best offers on top cameras
Canon Black Friday Deals 2016: best offers on top cameras
Nikon Black Friday Deals 2016: best offers on top cameras
Olympus Black Friday Deals 2016: best offers on top cameras
Popular Pentax cameras
In particular, the Pentax digital K-series has proved quite popular, with the K-1 and the K-70 sitting at the top of the heap. With a base price of $649, the K-70 is considered an upper entry-level DSLR.
It features a 24.24 MP APS-C sensor, an 11-point Hybrid AF system, 6 fps burst rate, in-body shake reduction (as opposed to Canon and Nikon DSLRs which use lens-based systems), Wi-Fi, weather resistance and Pentax’s interchangeable K-mount system. Its debut in June of 2016 was met with rave reviews.
Users praised its easy handling, sharp image quality, smartphone compatibility, a handy dust removal mechanism and a viewfinder that offers 100% scene coverage.
Because the Pentax K-70 is new this year, we must look to its predecessors Black Friday sale prices to help determine what it will go for during this year’s markdowns.
In 2015, the K-50 was reduced by about $110 (body-only) and kits were going for about 20% off their pre-Black Friday prices, while the comparably-priced K-3 II and the K-S2 each offered price reductions of around $240.
Pentax has a good reputation for offering decent Black Friday discounts on new cameras in this upper entry-level price range, so the K-70 should see savings somewhere around a couple hundred dollars this holiday season, probably along with some nice kit deals too.
The K-1 is Pentax’s first full-frame DSLR camera. Its suite of features and $1799 price point appeal to an ever-widening demographic of advanced enthusiasts who are looking for pro-level results.
Currently on backorder from the manufacturer, the K-1 hit stores in February of 2016 as the new flagship for the Pentax K-mount system.
It’s the only conventional DSLR with a full-frame image sensor (36.4 MP) and 5-axis image stabilisation rated to five stops. The K-1 has a solid magnesium alloy build and thorough weather sealing, along with high ISO sensitivity, a 33-point AF system, clever sensor-shift modes and a highly articulate ‘Cross-Tilt’ LCD screen.
Pentax has already priced the K-1 very competitively, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t see price cuts this Black Friday. Not only does Pentax tend to markdown most of their models anyway, but the K-1 has been met with such acclaim that they’ll likely push the envelope with kit deals and instant savings of at least $100.
Where to purchase your Pentax camera
Once you’ve decided which Pentax is right for you, it’s time to figure out who the major retailers are. It’s the usual suspects for US shoppers: Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo and Best Buy, and this slightly larger selection for UK consumers: Amazon UK, John Lewis, London Camera Exchange, Wex, Currys PC World, Camera World and Argos.
For the most part, retailers will announce their Black Friday deals well ahead of time. Compare their advertisements and use what you’ve learned from this post to determine who is offering the biggest bargain on your favorite Pentax.