Note that because of the near-identical specification and identical design of the K-5 II and K-5 IIS, the commentary in this review refers to the 'K-5 II' throughout, and except where specifically noted, the term 'K-5 II' should be taken to refer to both models.
Last September Pentax replaced the K-5 with not just one but two new digital SLRs, one without an optical low pass filter (OLPF). Looking little changed from the Pentax K-5 and K-7 before that, the Pentax K-5 II retains a very photographer-friendly design, with a good set of controls at the ready despite a surprisingly compact form factor. Internally, the K-5 II gets only a few updates, including a new air-gapless LCD and an improved autofocus system; the latter of which Pentax claims to offer a noticeable improvement in AF speed overall, and greater sensitivity in low light.
Though the resolution remains the same, Pentax has updated the camera’s 16.3-megapixel CMOS sensor with a faster data readout, according to company representatives.
Though Pentax has made few upgrades, on paper the K-5 II looks like an excellent digital SLR, particularly for outdoor photography, thanks to a weather-resistant body, and extreme cold tolerance down to -10C (14F). Other highlights include an optical viewfinder with 100% coverage, sensor-shift Shake Reduction that works with all lenses, an electronic level function, and a seven-frame-per-second frame rate.
Alongside the K-5 II Pentax also announced the K-5 IIS, which is essentially the same camera with the low-pass filter removed from its sensor. Also called anti-aliasing filters, low-pass filters soften images slightly to minimize pattern interference with the sensor’s own grid pattern. When capturing subjects without repeating patterns, K-5 IIS users should gain a slight sharpness advantage; however, repeating patterns do occur in nature, so even landscape photographers are not immune from the possibility of moiré appearing in images.
The table below shows the major specification differences among the three generations of Pentax's flagship APS-C digital SLRs. Significant changes are few, as the table makes apparent.
 K-7 |
K-5 |
K-5 II/S |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Image sensor | 14.6Mp CMOS | 16.3Mp CMOS | 16.3Mp CMOS |
| Imaging engine | Prime II | Prime II | Prime II |
| Sensitivity | 100-3200 (6400 with expansion) | 100-12800 (51200 with expansion) | 100-12800 (51200 with expansion) |
| Continuous shooting speed | 5.2 fps (40 frames) | 7.0 fps (40 frames) | 7.0 fps (40 frames) |
| AF | SAFOX VIII+ 11-points (selectable) |
SAFOX IX+ 11-points (selectable) |
SAFOX X 11-points (selectable) |
| AE | 77-segment | 77-segment | 77-segment |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism Coverage: 100% Magnification: 0.92x |
Pentaprism Coverage: 100% Magnification: 0.92x |
Pentaprism Coverage: 100% Magnification: 0.92x |
| LCD screen | 3.0 in, 920k dots | 3.0 in, 921k dots | 3.0 in, 921k dots, air-gap-free |
| Movies | 1536 x 1024 30fps | 1080p 25 fps | 1080p 25 fps |
| Microphone | Mono internal and stereo external | Mono internal and stereo external | Mono internal and stereo external |
| HDMI output | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IR simple | No | No | No |
| Cross process mode | No | Yes | Yes |
| Night Scene HDR | No | Yes | Yes |
| Movie custom images modes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery |
| Cold resistant to -10deg | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weather resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (body only) | 670g |
664g | 676g |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
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This article is Copyright 2013 and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author.
Pentax K-5 II 16.3 MP DSLR Body Only (Black) | $739.00 |
Pentax K-5 II 16.3 MP DSLR Body Only (Black) | $739.00 |
Pentax K-5 II 16.3 MP DSLR DA 18-135mm WR lens kit (Black) | $1,098.89 |
Pentax K-5 II 16.3 MP DSLR DA 18-55mm WR lens kit (Black) | $885.59 |
Pentax K-5 IIs 16.3 MP DSLR Body Only (Black) | $861.46 |
Pentax K-5 16.3 MP Digital SLR with 18-55mm Lens and 3-Inch LCD (Black) | $814.87 |
Pentax K-5 16.3 MP Digital SLR with 3-Inch LCD (Black Body Only) | Too low to display |
Pentax K-5 II Digital SLR Camera Kit with SMC DAL 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens + 55-300mm f/4-5.8 AL Zoom Lens. Includes: 0.45x Wide Angle Lens, 2X Telephoto Lens, 3 Piece Filter Kit(UV-CPL-FLD), 16GB Memory Card, 2 Extended Life Replacement Batteries, Tripod, Monopod & More..! | $1,379.99 |
Pentax K-5 II Digital SLR Camera Kit with SMC DAL 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens + SMC Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR Zoom Lens. Includes: 0.45x Wide Angle Lens, 2X Telephoto Lens, 3 Piece Filter Kit(UV-CPL-FLD), 16GB Memory Card, 2 Extended Life Replacement Batteries, Tripod, Monopod & More..! | $1,154.99 |
Pentax K-5 II 16.3 MP DSLR Body Only (Black) + Pentax Zoom 50-200mm + Pentax 18-55 3.5-5.6 DAL LENS 52MM + 16GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card + Extra DL-I90 Battery + External Rapid Charger + 52mm 3 Piece Filter Kit + 52mm UV Filter + Digital Slave Flash + Carrying Case + USB SDHC Reader + Memory Wallet | $996.79 |
Pentax K-5 II 16.3 MP DSLR With 18-55mm DAL and 55-300 DAL lens kit (Black) | $1,090.49 |
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