Pentax K-5 Beats Out Canon 5D Mk II, 7D, Nikon D700, D300s

by Chris Gampat on 11/05/2010

Go to DXoMark, and try this out yourself: you’ll see that the Pentax K-5has beat out the Canon 5D Mark IIand the Nikon D700DSLR cameras with full frame sensors. Mind you, the K-5 has a smaller APS-C sized sensor. After that, pit the K-5 against the Nikon D300sand the Canon 7Dand you’ll start to become even more amazed. Not long ago, Pentax disappointed many of their customers with the K-7. Then the K-xcame out and it began to wow them. After this, the company released the 645D along with the Pentax K-rand the K-5. With the results of what the new sensor is capable of, it seems that the company is poised to fight back. The cameras now rank very high up on DXo’s highest score listings. More after the jump.

What’s my take? Bravo, Pentax. Bravo. After going through many photography forums over and over and reading more and more about Pentax, I’ve developed respect for what you do over the past year but it’s now that your products have really begun to make me smile. The only thing I’d ask of you now is a full frame sensor body—I’d actually consider it to accompany my Canon cameras.

This said though, one of my higher ups recently commented and reminded me that, “Canon and Nikon own around 90% of the market and the other camera manufacturers are all fighting for it.”

You’ve got the technology, Pentax. Now market it.

For those interested:

- We had hands on with the Pentax K-5 and 645D at Photo Plus and also got image samples

- I know many of you don’t know if you’ll want the Canon T2i, 7D or 60D—so here is your solution. Here’s a hint, it’s not looking good for the 60D.

- I’ve compared the 7D and D300s overall and for concerts

- For videographers, I tested some yummy Zeiss glass on the 7D

- Comparison of the 7D vs 5D Mk II for weddings

All this aside, do remember that it’s the photographer that makes the images.

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Tagged as: 5d Mk II, 7d, canon, d300s, d700, dxo mark, k5, nikon, pentax

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Abe

Pentax should maximize its technology — and implement it well. Though I’m currently a Nikon D40 camera owner, it was the Pentax K1000 camera that made me fell for photography many years ago.

I made other DXoMark comparisons between the K5 with the Pentax 645D and the Nikon D3s. It did surprise me even more. They are all equal!!! Phoblographer, what does these all mean in real shooting situations like in available light photography?

Thanks for sharing your findings. Cheers!
- http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat
  
  Hi Abe, I didn’t look at the comparison because I’m still in bed but that depends on the high iso abilities. The K5 and 645D can’t touch the D3s in terms of high ISO performance, so you’ll be doing less post processing with the Nikon. Also, Nikon’s AF is better.
Mehlsack

Sure the AF may be faster, but for that price you can buy 3-4 K5′s and shot them continuosly

When you have to take one of your flagships to compete, sorry, pwned this time

But i am eager to see what the D7000 can do.
http://www.twitter.com/Hit_TP Hit_TP

Hi Chris,

I’m glad that Pentax has finally gain recognition for the K-5, given how scant attention people gave to them since Hoya’s acquisition.

I have listened to anecdotes of people who have just started into photography, saying that the cheap price of the K-r was what made them bought a Pentax (other than its custom color-matching privilege). Now that Pentax has shown these people a competent camera, many of them have since replied to me that they are definitely getting the K-5 as soon as they can afford.

Coming from the Canon camp, I have this morbid fascination with Pentax, considering they have done what Canon has thrown out ages ago. There is a feeling that Pentax are making, essentially, a cameraman’s camera. There is a certain “je ne sais quoi” about Pentax that I wished Canon should be.

That said, I am quite happy with my Canon setup, given my skills & affordability. I shall clap my hands in congratulation for Pentax from afar, though. This, and the soon-to-be-launched Fujifilm X100, will reinvograte that eternal debate of “what makes a cameraman’s camera.”
- http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat
  
  Hi Hit_TP,
  
  thanks for the comment. In the end, I think it’s the photographer that makes image and the camera is just a tool.
  
  So why do I prefer Canon? Their customer service is stellar.
  
  -CG
  - PaulW
    
    Hi, I’ve stumbled across your excellent site after considering upgrading from my first ever DSLR (Pentax K-x) to a Pentax K-5 then a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and then finally a Canon EOS 7D after reading your review comparing the 7D and 5D Mark II for wedding photography. I’m by no means a pro photographer but I do aspire to be at some point and in that respect I’m looking for a camera that will help me to achieve this. I feel after reading a few of your articles and reviews that I have just turned a full circle and now have no idea which to choose from. I’m mainly doing night time photography with long exposures but I am also doing portrait work (some of which is paid) and printing up to 36″ on canvas. Would you recommend any of these cameras in particular? I noted that you stated here that the customer service of Canon is stellar. I have to say that I also find that this applies to Pentax too, as they had me return a camera that was showing two dead pixels on all night photographs and they replaced it with a brand new camera. Apparently some camera manufacturers have acceptable limits on how many dead pixels are allowed on their sensors before they’ll consider it faulty…Pentax allow none, which I found pretty amazing. Thanks very much for taking the time to write these reviews but if you could help me out here I’d really appreciate it, also so long as those links can lead me to a UK version I will try and make my purchase through them to help you continue your work. Thanks in advance for any reply.
    - Chris Gampat
      
      Hi Paul,
      
      Thanks for the compliments, they mean a lot to me. Just wondering how you stumbled upon us though?
      
      Now don’t take this the wrong way (especially you Pentax users) but I think that you’ll be better off with Canon because of the fact that you can eventually move up to full frame if you want. You can only do this with Canon, Nikon and Sony. Sony and Canon tend to be more affordable and have some excellent glass. Nikon does too, but they’re a bit more pricey. But we’re talking Canon vs Pentax here.
      
      Go with the Canon: more specifically I want to tell you to go for the 5D Mk II. The 7D is great as well and wireless flash control is like crack, but at the end of the day I’ve found myself picking up my 5D Mk II time and time again for most situations. Get fast primes though to really take advantage of the full frame sensor.
      
      I wish we could give you a UK version for the links, but I don’t think I can. Maybe try B&H? If not, then I’m seriously not going to pressure you, buy from wherever your comfortable from.
      
      I hope this helps.
  - PaulW
    
    Thanks for the great advice. If only Pentax would bring out a full frame camera I could still use all these old weird and wonderful lenses that I play with! It’s not looking like that’s going to happen anytime soon if ever though so taking your excellent (and logical) advice into consideration I am now going to purcahse the Canon EOS 5D MarkII. My only quandary now is whether I can stave off the urge until the Mark III is announced and hope for a better deal. In answer to your counter question I stumbled upon your site through Google. I forget what my specific keywords were though, as I’ve been searching everywhere for something that will help me choose a particular camera. I’ve found information about market shares and who owns who but never anything definitive. In the end your advice clinched it for me when I realised that what I want is a camera which I can use in any weather, will always have lenses available and will have more cameras available in the future. For this I can’t go wrong with Canon. The Full Frame is something I want personally but isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, I just want that extra light sensitivity. Thanks again, I’ve added your blogs to my favourites.
    - Chris Gampat
      
      Do you really think you’ll NEED more than the 5D Mk II?
    - PaulW
      
      I won’t necessarily NEED persay. But we all know what WANT is like once we have what we need.
    - PaulW
      
      Hi Chris. Just a quick update and a very BIG thank you. I have had the Canon EOS 5DMk II for a couple of days and am wowed by the difference in quality. I can’t believe that my Pentax photo’s were ever chosen as stock when the difference in quality with both cameras is so huge. I managed to get a kit with the 24-105mm L lens and have been out taking some practice photos which although not professional have blown me away. Thank you thank you and thank you again. BTW the home page of this site opens with my IE nowadays. Great reads, all the best.
      - Chris Gampat
        
        Not a problem Paul. Thanks for coming back to update us. I appreciate it because at least someone else really realizes just how amazing full frame can be. It doesn’t seem like that in the blogosphere.
        
        Also, still wish you could’ve bought through out links
        
        Can I answer any other questions for you?
    - PaulW
      
      I wish I could have bought through those links too, it would have been great to help support the site and would have been a way of saying thank you for the advice. As for questions I have a thousand, but I think I would need a photography course to answer all those. I’m not sure if I want to go that route though, as the learning about light and using it is an exploration in itself and I’m enjoying it immensely. The camera itself after looking at the manual is pretty straightforward (for photography at least). I’m not really touching on the video capabilities of the camera as that will only ever be used rarely…There just seems to be something special about that fleeting moment captured in time as a still for me. I’ll be here regularly as I’m sure other UK readers are so it may well be worth your while looking into gaining some UK links too. All the best Chris and I’m around everyday at least once if there’s anything I can do this side of the pond.
      - Chris Gampat
        
        Well we’re here to answer questions, Paul. Here, or our facebook, or our twitter.
http://d300sreview.com Jirud

Nikon D300s – Highly recommend
Anyone who need to know about feeling when using Nikon D300S – I’m totally happy with this camera. You can make as much and simply gorgeous pictures. Relatively easy to use, very good instruction manual, and you can take snapshots of any kind with it. The Live View function is awesome. Very satisfied and highly recommend.
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noel anacta

i agree “bravo pentax,-now market IT!”
i notice the marketing of pentax is not that aggressive with the flagship models given the impressive performance and reviews.
i believe the target market of pentax are the beginners and new hobbyist that’s why they colored the body of the camera to attract buyers.
With the gold award given by dpreview (DEC 18,2010) to P’s flagship model k5, they are expecting to push KR more.
What push canon to introduce newer DSLR model from 450D-500D-550D in a short span of time is the heat it has been receiving from competitors like olympus, panasonic, sony and pentax offering more features than the leading brands. Even the 40 MP MF 645D of pentax was noted by dpreview as having the highest resolution ever provided by any camera.
The push is really on the entry-level models.
nikonian

any camera should perform great in outdoor field no doubt,but what makes the picture is the lens,pentax beats nikon and canon? hahahhaha this is ridiculous
i use both nikon and canon,and pentax is good as any camera in outdoor shooting,but when it comes to indoors and no flash allow? hahhahahah i will dump pentax in the garbage can, that simple,pentax not even touch the performance of my d3 d700 or my canon 5d,as i said lens makes the picture and camera helps a lot,so PLEASE do not say that pentax outperform nikon and canon,i would never use pentax for my for my pro jobs,is like if you say the new jetta or the new mercedes smokes the ferrari,period!!,
by the way nikon in the last years become better in everything there is no company out there that beats my nikon 14-24mm 2.8 nikon 24-70mm 2.8 and nikon vr 70-200mm,
- Ed
  
  This is the most worthless and silly comment i’ve ever read.
  How can you know the performance indoors of the K5 when you never used/tested one ?
  I’ve read many many reviews telling me other things than your comment, and they are based on lab results.
  On which test of the K5 is our meaning based ?
  
  By the way, Pentax lenses are as good as the Canikon stuff, maybe they have less lenses, but their quality is out of question.
  I prefer lab results, and dont believe in silly talks from a frustrated would-be pro.
  - Chris Gampat
    
    Hey Ed,
    
    Don’t feed the trolls man.
    - Ed
      
      You’re right about that, I was maybe a little to sharp,but lets be honest, he was begging for it…
      I’ve nothing against Canon or Nikon, both produces very good camera’s and lenses (my son is a Nikonian to), but this doesn’t mean that there are no other very good branches…
      In my opinion Pentax had indeed to close a gap during the last decennium, they reacted to late going digital, but their K10D was really a milestone (dustreduction, built-in VR, weatherresistant body and that before Nikon and Canon !)
      And now, with the K5 they not only managed to close the gap, but come in the lead with the very best !
      We all must be happy with that : it’s – after the K10D – again a kick in the ass of Canikon. Surely they will react with better products again. So at the end, everbody gains and will have the pleasure of better stuff!!!. There will be periods that Nikon takes the lead, or Canon, or Pentax, or Sony or Olympus etc….They will push each other!
      It doesn’t matter which branch is in the lead, as long as the quality of all the branches is going up! Let’s just enjoy photography !
Zerocoll

For Nikonian @da33bd7b14566d72e277dcde43238253:disqus

Your comment it is the most ignorant I’ve seen , you don’t really have used or simply touch a Pentax k5 in all your life. in In indoor condition The K5 sensor beats all others APS-C and it’s close to best FF, for DR Pentax it’s better over all.

The only problem of Pentax are the manual controls on video.

I don’t know why you write these silly words.
- Chris Gampat
  
  Youre one of those hardcore Pentax fanboys arent you?
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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=586103239 Elaine Dudzinski

See, now I would have PaulW go with Nikon (instead of Canon) due to the D700, D3s having awesome low light capabilities. He shoots a lot of night shots, right?