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A1 vs Pentax 17

Quick take: The Pentax 17 is the most affordable.

Different kinds of camera — their specs aren't comparable, so read the rows as facts, not a contest.

32 specs side by side·1 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Verdictwhich should you buy?

Pentax 17 — Film Photography Enthusiasts & Diptych Storytelling: The best new film camera of the decade — manual controls, a sharp lens, and a half-frame format that doubles your roll and forces a new way of seeing.

Who should buy what
Pentax 17 (2024)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Experienced film shooters who want a brand new camera with real manual controls
  • Street photographers attracted to the compact half-frame format
  • Digital shooters curious about film who want more than a point-and-shoot
  • Anyone who finds disposables too limiting but isn't ready for a full SLR
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification A1Antigravity · 2025Pentax 17Pentax · 2024
Price £909£489Best
Sensor —35mm half-frame (18 × 24mm)
Resolution 55.0MP—
Video —N/A — film camera
Autofocus —Zone focus (0.35m / 1m / 3m / ∞)
Stabilisation —N/A — film camera
Burst Rate —Manual wind-on
Battery Life —2× CR2 lithium batteries
Weight —~165g (without batteries)
Dimensions —113 × 66 × 44mm
Weather Sealed Not weather sealedNot weather sealed
Viewfinder —Optical viewfinder with half-frame framelines
Screen —No screen
Mount Fixed lens (360°, f/2.2)Fixed lens
Memory Cards —35mm 135-format film cartridge
Connectivity —No wireless connectivity
Take-off weight 249 g—
Fly without registering Yes — under 250 g—
Flight time 24 min—
Wind resistance 10.7 m/s—
Obstacle sensing Omnidirectional—
Video link OmniLink 360—
Range 6.0 km—
Top speed 16.0 m/s—
Cameras 1—
RAW stills Yes—
Vertical shooting Not supported—
Intelligent flight Subject tracking, waypoints, return-to-home—
Storage 20 GB built in + microSD slot—
Controller in the box Vision goggles + Grip Motion Controller—
FPV Yes, goggles in the box—
Folds Yes—

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
A1
Pentax 17
Fun & simple
—
7.3/10

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

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