Pentax EXIF Data Guide
Everything you need to know about EXIF metadata from Pentax cameras — including brand-specific MakerNote fields, popular models, and privacy considerations.
About Pentax
Pentax, originally Asahi Optical Co. (founded 1919), has a long history of producing cameras and lenses. Pentax was a pioneer of the SLR camera format and the K-mount lens system introduced in 1975 remains in use today. Now owned by Ricoh Imaging, Pentax continues to focus exclusively on DSLRs and film cameras while other brands have shifted to mirrorless.
Pentax occupies a niche position as the only major brand still developing new DSLRs. They appeal to photographers who prefer optical viewfinders, weather-sealed bodies, and the extensive library of K-mount lenses spanning nearly 50 years. Pentax also offers medium format cameras in the 645 series.
Common EXIF Fields in Pentax Photos
These are the standard EXIF fields you will find in photos taken with Pentax cameras:
| Field | Description | Example Value |
|---|---|---|
| Make | Camera manufacturer | RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. |
| Model | Camera body model | PENTAX K-3 Mark III |
| LensModel | Lens identifier | smc PENTAX-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL [IF] SDM |
| Software | Firmware version | K-3 Mark III Ver. 1.41 |
| BodySerialNumber | Camera body serial number | 1234567 |
Pentax-Specific MakerNote Fields
Beyond standard EXIF data, Pentax cameras embed proprietary metadata in the MakerNote section. These fields are unique to Pentax and contain additional technical details about how the photo was captured:
| Field | Description | Example Value |
|---|---|---|
| ShakeReduction | Sensor-shift stabilization status | On |
| DriveMode | Shooting drive mode | Single-frame |
| PixelShiftResolution | Pixel shift multi-shot mode | Off |
| AstroTracerEnabled | AstroTracer star-tracking feature status | Off |
| HighISONoiseReduction | High ISO noise reduction setting | Standard |
| CustomPictureStyle | Active custom image preset | Bright |
| HDR | HDR capture mode | Off |
Popular Pentax Camera Models
These are the most common Pentax cameras you will encounter when viewing EXIF data:
| Model | Type | Megapixels | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-3 Mark III | DSLR (APS-C) | 25.7 MP | 2021 |
| K-3 Mark III Monochrome | DSLR (APS-C) | 25.7 MP | 2023 |
| K-1 Mark II | DSLR | 36.4 MP | 2018 |
| KF | DSLR (APS-C) | 24.2 MP | 2022 |
| 645Z | Medium Format DSLR | 51.4 MP | 2014 |
| K-70 | DSLR (APS-C) | 24.2 MP | 2016 |
| 17 (Film) | Half-Frame Film | N/A (Film) | 2023 |
| GR III | Compact (Ricoh) | 24.2 MP | 2019 |
Tips for Reading Pentax EXIF Data
- 1.Pentax EXIF shows 'RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.' as the Make field, since Pentax is owned by Ricoh.
- 2.The AstroTracer field is unique to Pentax — it records when the sensor-shift mechanism was used to track stars for astrophotography.
- 3.Pentax PixelShiftResolution metadata indicates when the multi-shot high-resolution mode was used.
- 4.Pentax K-mount lenses from any era are identified in EXIF, including vintage manual-focus lenses when set up in the camera.
- 5.PEF raw files contain more Pentax-specific data than DNG files from the same camera, since DNG standardizes the metadata format.
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Try the Photo Metadata ViewerFrequently Asked Questions
What EXIF data is unique to Pentax cameras?
Pentax cameras record unique MakerNote fields including AstroTracer status (star-tracking for astrophotography), ShakeReduction (sensor-shift stabilization), PixelShiftResolution (multi-shot mode), and detailed K-mount lens identification that works even with 50-year-old manual lenses.
Why does Pentax EXIF say Ricoh?
Ricoh acquired the Pentax camera brand in 2011. Since then, the EXIF Make field reads 'RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.' while the Model field still uses the Pentax brand name (e.g., PENTAX K-3 Mark III).
What is Pentax AstroTracer in EXIF?
AstroTracer is a Pentax feature that uses the camera's GPS and sensor-shift mechanism to track the apparent motion of stars, allowing longer exposures without star trails. When active, this is recorded in the EXIF MakerNote data.
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