Ricoh Ends Current Pentax K-Series DSLR Line, Promises a New Generation

Ricoh, which owns Pentax, has announced the end of the current K-series DSLR line. However, the company is making it clear that this is not the end of Pentax DSLRs, saying the Pentax digital SLR is entering “a new stage.”

The Pentax digital SLR era began with the *ist D in 2003, a flagship APS-C camera featuring a 6-megapixel Sony CCD sensor. The lineup later evolved into the K series with the K100D in 2006, followed by the K-1 in 2016, Pentax’s first full-frame DSLR.

The final camera in the current K series is the Pentax KF, which Ricoh launched in November 2022. With production of the current K-series digital SLR cameras coming to an end, the KF will mark the conclusion of the latest generation of Pentax DSLRs.

Pentax DSLR Is Entering a New Stage

While Ricoh is ending the current K series, it says it is already developing a new generation of digital SLR cameras.

“Now, as we continue to examine the ever-evolving experience of taking photographs, we are developing products that aim to allow more people to enjoy the process of photography itself,” Ricoh wrote.

The company says these new products will take time to come to life, but it plans to leverage the K-mount legacy built over more than half a century to create “a new series of digital SLR cameras based on an entirely new concept.”

Ricoh says it will provide updates on the development of these products as more information becomes available.

Keeping the SLR Shooting Experience Alive

Ricoh’s announcement emphasizes that the company remains committed to the shooting experience that makes SLR cameras different from newer mirrorless systems.

“The company says that it will continue to pursue the shooting style that is unique to SLR camera and is committed to creating new products that will allow new users to experience the joys of SLR photography.”

“Cameras are more than just tools for capturing images; they will be a presence that enriches the very experience of taking photographs. We look forward to bringing you the next stage of PENTAX digital SLR cameras.”

The language suggests that Ricoh is not simply maintaining Pentax as a legacy brand. Instead, it appears to be looking for ways to preserve the fundamental experience of using an SLR while developing something different from the current K-series formula.

Pentax Is Keeping the DSLR Alive

Pentax remains unusual in the modern camera market. While major manufacturers such as Sony, Nikon, and Canon have shifted their primary focus toward mirrorless systems, Ricoh has continued to develop Pentax as a relatively low-volume, passion-driven camera business.

Mirrorless cameras offer significant advantages in areas such as autofocus, electronic viewfinders, video capabilities, and computational features. But the continued existence of Pentax shows that there remains an audience for the optical-viewfinder experience and the mechanical interaction of an SLR.

DSLRs are also far from incapable in 2026. The recent Artemis II lunar flyby mission, for example, highlighted how older professional DSLR cameras can remain highly capable tools even alongside newer mirrorless technology.

There is also something fundamentally different about shooting with a DSLR. The optical viewfinder, physical mirror mechanism, and direct connection between the photographer and the camera create a shooting experience that many photographers still prefer.

What Comes Next for Pentax?

Ricoh has not revealed what its next Pentax DSLR will look like or when it will arrive. The company has only confirmed that it is developing a new series based on an entirely new concept.

That leaves plenty of questions about what Ricoh has planned for the Pentax brand. The new cameras could retain the traditional SLR experience while introducing modern technologies, but for now, Ricoh is keeping the details under wraps.

For Pentax photographers, however, the most important takeaway is that the end of the current K series is not the end of Pentax DSLRs. Ricoh appears determined to keep the SLR format alive and find a new way to make the experience relevant to photographers in the years ahead.