Hands On Review: Pentax K-5

After seeing the Pentax 645D in action and getting samples from the the K-5 and 645D, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Pentax K-5is essentially a mini-645D with some different features.

Tech Specs (major features from Pentax themselves)

16.3 megapixel CMOS sensor
High resolution 16.3 megapixel CMOS sensor with integrated AD conversion circuitry captures outstanding image detail with pixels to spare.

80-51200 ISO
High sensitivity 80-51200 ISO range with improved noise performance throughout, including ISO-specific noise reduction.

7 FPS
Speedy 7 FPS framerate captures fast action shots in demanding situations.

11 point SAFOX IX+ autofocus system
Highly responsive and accurate 11 point SAFOX IX+ autofocus system features a dedicated AF assist lamp and light wavelength sensor for improved focus speed and reliability.

1080p HD video
Capture widescreen HD video with stunning detail at full 1080p resolution and 25 FPS, including sound via a built-in or external 3.5mm stereo microphone jack.

3 inch LCD
Large 3 inch LCD with 921,000 dots of resolution for responsive Live View and detailed image/video review.

Fully Weather Sealed
Fully weather sealed and coldproof design resists water, fog, snow, sand, dust, and more, for top performance in extreme field conditions as well as in the studio.

Rugged design
Durable magnesium alloy covers surround a rugged stainless steel chassis.

77 segment metering system
Highly accurate 77 segment metering system for perfectly exposed images even in difficult lighting.

100% Field of view
High quality glass pentaprism viewfinder features 100% field of view and 0.92X magnification, for perfect framing accuracy.

Shake Reduction
PENTAX body-based Shake Reduction (SR) stabilization system is compatible with every PENTAX lens ever made.

1/8000 Shutter Speed
A maximum 1/8000 second shutter speed freezes even the fastest action without subject movement blur.

HDMI port
An HDMI port outputs high definition images and video (and sound) to HDTVs.

PENTAX PEF and Adobe DNG files
Native support for both PENTAX PEF and Adobe DNG 14 bit RAW files, includes the ability to retrieve RAW data from JPG files if still present in buffer memory.

HDR
Improved in-camera HDR image capture features more blending options and better pixel registration for easier operation without a tripod.

In-camera image processing and filters
A wide range of in-camera image processing and special effects filters encourages the photographer’s artistic expression.

Customizable RAW/Fx button
Customizable RAW/Fx button allows for easy access to common shooting settings.

Built-in electronic level
Built-in electronic level now features a tilt scale display in Live View.

SDXC memory card compatibility (via firmware update).

Autofocus

Targeted at taking out the Nikon D300s, Olympus E-5 and the Canon 7D, the Pentax K-5 comes in as quite the spartan. In terms of autofocus, the camera actually seemed very, very speed. This was being tested in indoor lighting at the convention center. IF a Pentax shooter is out photographing wildlife, sports etc the K-5 will more than please.

Even better: it’s quiet. And so is the shutter.

During my brief test, I used it in full autofocus, and so did not select any specific points. I did however tested how well it tracked. This seemed to deliver varying results and I’m not comfortable giving a definite conclusion without putting the camera through it’s paces.

Ergonomics

The K-5feels quite a bit like the Nikon D300s and Olympus E-5. In fact, if a person were blind folded it would probably even be extremely hard for them to tell them apart.

A great feature that I do like though is the fact that one can shoot without moving their eye from the viewfinder. These days, photographers tend to fully manipulate aperture, shutter speed and ISO. All of this can easily be done with the press of a button and the turn of a dial. Given the chance, I’d surely take it to a wedding, on a studio set, or for photojournalistic applications with the correct lens and flash combination.

What is really nice is the green LCD screen which I can actually see being very useful in lower-light situations vs Canon’s orange. To be fair though, Canon’s puts the information in an easier to display format.

Something that I’ve always valued about Pentax cameras is the dial: one needs to depress the middle button to switch the shooting mode. Why is this great? Try shooting a wedding and bumping into people or having them bump your dial and switching your shooting mode. You won’t be happy with how the photos come out afterward and will surely need to do more adjustments.

The viewfinder is surprisingly dark. However, it could have been the fact that I was in a darker area. Even so, Canon’s 7Dand Nikon’s D300shave never been that dark in the concerts I’ve shot with them.

Durability

Even though I was on the fourth floor of the center trying it out, I didn’t drop test it at all or give it a full run-through in the bag. But the camera does indeed feel very tough. We’re requesting a review unit to put through the paces.

Metering

Coming from Canon, this is a bit of a weird metering system. It seems like the sensor needs a lot more light to be able to shoot at certain apertures and ISOs. This will in-turn mean slower shutter speeds compensated for by the in-camera image stabilization.

Luckily, the K-5 does have a button to immediately change the metering to the ideal setting for hand-held shooting with a balanced exposure.

More to come in the full review soon.

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Tagged as: autofocus, camera, hands on, high iso, k5, pentax, photo plus expo 2010, review

Travis

“Coming from Canon, this is a bit of a weird metering system.”
and
“Luckily, the 645D does have a button to immediately change the metering to the ideal setting for hand-held shooting with a balanced exposure.”

Huh? Thought you were testing the Pentax k-5? Did you copy and paste these?
- http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat
  
  Meant K-5.
  
  Photo Plus fried my brain. No joke.
  - Paul L
    
    Hi Chris, I was also drawn to the metering comment. I am only used to Nikon film (F90X, FM2N), Olympus E510 and compact cameras and no further forward in deciding whether to go for a K5, EOS60D or D7000 for my family and casual use. The build of the Pentax appeals, so does the focusing, metering and flash reputation of Nikon, I have no experience of how Canon compares. I keep telling myself that accuracy of metering, ease of use, quality of focus (viewfinder, accuracy and ease of manual focus when having to) and quality of results with non-exotic lenses are my priorities. Damned difficult using the reviews out there to come to a decision though!
    - http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat
      
      First off, the K-5, D7000 and 60D don’t compare to one another. The K-5 was designed to take out the 7D and the D300s. The D7000 takes on the 60D and for stills wins. For video, take the 60D. For lenses, Canon kicks butt.
      
      If you’ve got an E510 then why not consider the E-5? You’ll be able to use the lenses you have.
Paul L

Thanks Chris, I take your point entirely and I would actually like to choose based on a lens system (and sensor) knowing that each brand brings out a competitive body from time to time, even if another brand has raised the game at that time.

At present I only have the 14-42 and 40-150 4/3 lenses. I was tempted to reach for a 12-60, maybe the highly reputed 50mm macro, even the 14-54 but Olympus have not moved the sensor along as the others have and their non-micro 4/3 path remains unclear. Even my Samsung WB2000 has progressed quite a bit beyond my Panasonic LX2 and serves as my pocket and video device. If I could get on with holding a matchbox for a camera I might have given up on DSLRs as others have managed to do.

So, I am not particularly tied into Olympus and their top glass gets very xpensive, so does Canon L, Pentax primes are more accessible, so are Nikon medium quality glass. All of them can get uncomfortably large in chasing the better resolution and wider/constant apertures too.

I have no compass points on Canon glass but if it does kick butt (and not just the best L series glass) I may well go down that route. Given the evolutionary nature of digital I am sure the body will be replaced along the way.

FWIW the curent body pricing here in the UK is E5 £1500 (only just released), EOS60D £800, K5 £950 and D7000 £1050 (after rebates and so on).

On the one hand we are spoilt for choice but on the other it’s never been a more confusing market. Choosing between (and being satisfied with) Oly EP-2, Samsung NX10, Samsung NX100, Sony NEX-5 or the aforementioned DSLRs is really harder to gauge for the typical consumer. It’s only when you live with thes eitems ou find out if they inspire or frustrate, was it ever thus!
- http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat
  
  Sounds like you care about glass the most then in this case. The 60D with good lenses will be more than you need. My praises go out to you for prizing good glass over the body, though I know you have some concern about the latter.
  
  To be honest, there are professional photographers that still use the 40D.
Jacob

Hi Chris,

I would,like to know how the autofocus of Pentax k-5 compares to Nikon d7000 and Sony a580(A55) or Canon ?

I currently have Penatx k-x and had older Sony A
and by using both I’m not happy with Pentax autofocus..
So I’m not sure if upgrading to K-5 will solve the autofocus problems.
I’ve heard that nikon has the most accurate focusing system…

Thanks!
Pingback: Battle of the Flagships: Olympus E-5, Pentax K5, Canon 7D, Nikon D300s: Which is Better? at The Phoblographer
RM

Jacob: skip the K5 for now.

Check this out: http://www.falklumo.com/lumolabs/articles/k5focus/index.html

The problem is real yet Pentax remains silent.
Cw

“Coming from Canon, this is a bit of a weird metering system. It seems like the sensor needs a lot more light to be able to shoot at certain apertures and ISOs. This will in-turn mean slower shutter speeds compensated for by the in-camera image stabilization.”

Does the sensor on the K-5 haunts by the low gain of light. For a given scene with a fixed setting on 2 cameras, f-stop, shutter speed, ISO. Would the K-5 captured the scene with a darker exposure?

This problem was found in K-7 previously and it was close to 1-stop darker, which was really not very enjoyable as the shutter speed was being compromised.

Would you care to run a test on this against your gears of other brand?
- Chris Gampat
  
  Hi CW, take a look at the right hand side panel for the posting on the battle of the flagships. That will have all the answers for you.
  
  I hope this helps.
  - Cw
    
    Hi Chris, I have gone through some of the articles in the Battle of Flagships. Due to the different shooting conditions, the comparisons are not exactly what I was looking for.
    
    I tried to gather something out of the ISO torture test. Unfortunately, none of the images posted retained their EXIF info.
    
    Thanks.
  - Cw
    
    My bad, just found out the EXIF were there on the ISO torture test. I shall compare them side by side.
    
    Thanks.
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