The Pentax ME was an aperture priority automatic camera, with an electronic focal plane shutter from 8s to 1/1000, synchronized at 1/100. The shutter curtains were metal and had a vertical movement. There was no shutter dial, and the camera could not be used in manual mode, except for B and 1/100 exposures. The exposure meter was of the standard TTL open aperture center weighted type. It was activated by a slight pressure on the release button.