Canon 60D vs Pentax k-5 IMAGE QUALITY CONCERN???

I've had the chance to experiment with both of these cameras and cannot make the decision between the two, i conducted a trial between the cameras. At f5.6 ISO 200 on manual i took each photo, without a tripod, and compared the photos. (please note that these photos remain unedited, shot in jpeg format.) I am aware that they are taken at different angles but you get where i am coming from. To me, the canon 60D produces the most true-to-life image with vibrant colours, whereas the pentax k-5 lacks in true life imagery but has more luscious colours.

In you're opinion, which photo is better? I appreciate the specs of the k-5 more than the 60D but i am really looking for a clear crisp perfect portrait shot as well as striking landscape photography.

Without being buyist, please give me your opinion!! Yours will most likely highly influence my decision!

ps ive spoken to the techs at my local photography store for hours about this and they are pushing me towards pentax for reasons such as this " if you dont want to follow the status quo and you want to be your own photographer you should go with pentax!" (keep in mind that they have 3x as much stock of the k-5 than they do of the 60D........
thanks.

You really can't judge the cameras with those shots.

and why might that be????.....................

If you would have taken one with a 1000D, the quality of the photo would have been the same as your K-R and 60D.

-Mark

Why in the world would you take a picture of a knob on a machine at 1 ft when you want portrait and landscape ???? It boggles my mind I would take test pics like I wanted to use the camera, no ?

Dave

--
7D with Zeikos grip, 17-85 EFs USM IS
Sigma 50 1.4 EX DG HSM, 24-70 2.8 EX DG HSM, 50-150 2.8 EX DC HSM II

That's all that I got out of the two shots, as well...

On the Pentax forum they probably are assuming that the intended focus point was the seam in front of the knob and are saying that the Canon is back focusing!

To the OP: At least take the cameras to the front door of the shop - maybe around sunset or a little after - and take a few shots that have some detail in them. Or go to the forums and look at some examples of what the cameras can do when they're doing what you intend to do with them (I hope you're not getting it to take pictures of red knobs on tan machines).

Edit: And if I had the guys at the shop trying to goad me into one or the other choices, I'd go to another shop to make my decision. Then if you decide on the Canon and it's priced better at the shop where they're trying to convince you to buy the Pentax, I'd go back and say "Do you REALLY think I should buy the Pentax? Ok, I'll buy the Canon."

Just to sum up, either way the canon will have better detail than the pentax and colors out of camera will be better with the canon,, the pentax colors are just to cold like the camera,, I tried the K5 but sent it back sorry it just can't compete with the big 2 names.

You might want to have a look at the rules about cross posting too - but I'll sum them up for you.

Don't .

Kay,

Nothing wrong with the subject matter, but as others have mentioned, they don't represent either a portrait or landscape scenario. There are a few things that aren't "equalized" for a fair comparison...

-The first thing to jump out at me is the White Balance is different for each image.

-The second thing would be to use a tripod.

-The third thing would be to use the same focal length, for a comparable compositon.

-The fourth thing would be to maintain the same focal points, between the images.

-I personally do not compare cameras based on their JPEG output, but that isn't a hard rule. If you only plan to shoot JPEG, then it is appropriate.

Lastly, alarms went off when I read your final paragraph. When it comes to camera systems, there is a reason Canon and Nikon are the best sellers in the industry. You are looking to buy into a standard DSLR system, so my advice would be to stick with C or N, as they have the best "System" to buy into, hands down...

Good luck with your decision...

Russ
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Greater is He that is within me, than he who is in this world...

I was in the camera shop, i cannot rent or borrow a camera to take pictures of my personal preference subject matter. I did as best i could with the elements around me. It really upsets me to hear that every single person is critiquing me on the subject matter!!

dont what?

kayfras said:

dont what?

Click to expand...

Don't cross-post - well, try not to anyway.

From the forum rules (which you agree to when you make a post) :-

" Cross posting - We frown upon cross-posting of messages, especially if it is continuously abused by the same posters and/or simply contains an image or gallery link. Anyone repeatedly cross posting may have their cross-posted messages removed and/or face a temporary ban."

So, what you've done won't get you banned - but keep it up and it just might ;-)

What should really upset you is that they won't walk with you to the front door of the shop so you can take a picture of outside, with some scenery that might be somewhat closer to the landscapes that you plan to use the camera for when you eventually get it, before you spend around $1000 for a camera. If that's the case, then I think you should buy elsewhere.

The question you're asking, based on the photos you posted, are like taking a test drive in a Ferrari and an Lamborghini without leaving the dealership's parking lot. Well, they didn't want to come along or let me drive it on the street because they were afraid I might get into an accident. But the Ferrari seems to parallel park pretty well.

Don't make a decision on a camera based on the images you've taken and posted here unless they represent what you plan to use the camera for. You've said that they don't, so that's why everyone is critiquing you on the subject matter.

kayfras said:

I was in the camera shop, i cannot rent or borrow a camera to take pictures of my personal preference subject matter. I did as best i could with the elements around me. It really upsets me to hear that every single person is critiquing me on the subject matter!!

Click to expand...

given the obvious(a lack of experience and knowledge on your part) you should save some $$ and buy something else entirely that would produce similar results:
Canon t2i or Pentax Kx or Kr.

Good luck and read up to educate yourself. In the meantime, save some money.

--
"Contrary to some thinking, the best camera is the next one you want"

Joe
a nonphotography photographer

The Canon shot is blowing the colors in the orange and losing detail. Which tells me that JPEG settings / Saturation are cranked up, likely by the last person who fiddled with the camera.

....Which again is why you shoot RAW because even as a side by side JPEG shoot this comparison isn't really valid. Terrible way to evaluate cameras in any respect.

As a Side Bar, comments below about Pentax imagers being 'cold' are troubling. One distinction I've found between Canon -vs- Nikon / Pentax is the former has a bad habit of slanting red to the orange side as saturation increases.

I've always loved Pentax cameras but nowadays I use Canon (60D). Their cameras are great and their lens lineup is the best and most complete in photography....although Nikon has been coming out with some great lenses lately.

why do you care so much? Are you the moderator of this forum or you like to play the cop ?

I know you're trying to find help with making a decision between these two cameras but unfortunately you're going about it wrong. First, it makes no sense to compare cameras using out of camera JPEG's unless that is the only way you will use the camera but even then it's a very difficult task to do because there are so many JPEG settings that can be adjusted that both cameras, with some tinkering, can produce ooc JPEG's that look virtually the same.

The best way to compare is using RAW files but there is no appreciable difference between the RAW file IQ of the cameras in question with the exception of pushing them under extreme conditions which very few people will do. What I'm referring to is some pattern noise that will show up on the Canon before you'll see it on the Pentax if you shoot at ISO 100 and manipulate the RAW file with software such as Photoshop to brighten the dark areas more than 2 or 3 stops which is a lot. If you do shoot mostly at ISO 100 and will do a lot of manipulation to your shots such as significant brightening of the dark shadows with software like Photoshop then the Pentax may have an advantage. If you use your camera the way the vast majority of people do then IQ should not be the determining factor when considering these 2 cameras as you'll never see a difference viewing normally on screen or even in very large prints.

What it really comes down to is which camera feels more comfortable in your hands and is there some important feature/function that one camera has that the other does not. You also need to consider what lenses you'll need or want and who has the better selection. You sound new to this so you also need to look at your next step down the road and which camera company can support your future needs the best. For example, you buy the Pentax and some nice lenses but in 2 years decide you want a full frame body. Pentax has no full frame offering so the lenses you purchase will be useless. With Canon, you can buy EF lenses that will also work with their full frame cameras down the road if you so choose. Canon also has a much greater selection of lenses than Pentax so you may find lenses you'd like to own that Pentax does not offer. You'll also find a larger selection of used equipment such as lenses for Canon if you want to save a few $$. I can say from experience that it is also very easy to sell used Canon bodies and lenses simply because there is so much demand.

Both are excellent cameras so don't try to make any judgment from the two pics you've posted as that's not telling you anything meaningful.

Good luck.

Bob

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http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron

There is nothing to worry about on the IQ front with either camera, both will serve your purposes just fine, especially if you learn to use raw.

My opinion, after having used pentax equipment for more than 15 years and Canon for about 3 is that Canon has better AF accuracy and consistency, as well as a much broader lens range which might matter to you... or not.

After all, a photographer barely needs more than 2 or 3 lenses most of the time, you just have to see if the lens you need are available from each makers and then go with the body you feel more comfortable with.

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http://lol-photoblog.blogspot.com/