Pentax K-5 review

Review Date : Mon, 24 Jan 2011

Author : Mike Lowe

Sample Photos: Pentax K-5 review sample images gallery

The Pentax K-5 review: Pentax’s most capable DSLR yet. With a new sensor, new autofocus system and plenty more features to boot. Can the K-5 do no wrong?

Pros:	Best-yet AF system, great image quality, weather-sealed design, super-fast continuous shooting
Cons:	Underwhelming 18-55mm kit lens, no AF in movie mode, Motion-JPEG only movie files

The Pentax K-5 comprises Pentax's most advanced features to date, all wrapped up into one small, neat package that's much akin to the K-7 release before it. With a brand new sensor, improved focusing system, super-fast seven frames per second continuous shooting and much more besides, is this strongest Pentax release enough to keep the competition at bay? The What Digital Camera Pentax K-5 review...

Pentax K-5 review - Features

There's no denying that the K-5 goes head to head against cameras such as Canon's EOS 60D. But just a quick skim through the spec sheet immediately shows that the Pentax actually has a far more rounded feature set that should prove a temptation for many prospective purchasers.

There's no denying that the Pentax K-5 goes head to head against cameras such as Canon's EOS 60D. But just a quick skim through the spec sheet immediately shows that the Pentax actually has a far more rounded feature set that should prove a temptation for many prospective purchasers.

Pentax K-5 product image front on At the camera's heart is a brand new 16.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, most likely the very same Sony sensor as found in the A55 (and Nikon D7000). Based on the impressive image quality from both of those cameras this can only be a good thing: high resolution and top quality. Uniquely to the Pentax, however, is the Prime II image processing engine that can produce a top-end sensitivity of up to ISO 51,200 - something other cameras of this class don't offer. Add in-camera sensor shake reduction to ensure that any Pentax lens fitted benefits from sharper images and there's even a unique Auto Level Compensation feature that can physically adjust the sensor by up to one degree to counter for unstraight horizons.

It's not just the sensor that's new either, the focusing system, despite still being an 11-point (nine cross type) array as previous releases, is now designated the Safox XI+. What this means is not only a wider array for a broader focus area, but improved speed and accuracy too.

On the rear you'll find a 3in, 921k-dot LCD with a 100% field of view optical viewfinder positioned above this. Although there are higher resolution screens and tilt-angle capable options out there on the market, this option is still a very decent standard.

In addition to stills shooting the K-5 offers Pentax's most up to date video mode too: now capable of shooting Full HD 1080p at 25fps in the Motion-JPEG format (as AVI files).

Plus there's yet more to be found in the details: as well as a fully weather-sealed body (and any ‘WR' kit lens), the K-5 can shoot at an impressive 7fps, has a PC socket for hard-wiring a studio flash trigger and an AF-assist lamp on the front side for improved focus in dim conditions.

Tripod and Support Reviews

Price as reviewed

: £1,180.00

Scores

Design	17/20
Image Quality	18/20
Performance	18/20
Value	18/20
Features	19/20
Overall Score	90%

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Have your say!

Latest comments

January 24 16:52

jerrymouse

= 1.01), try it.

January 24 17:09

ML

Nope, v1.02 firmware. From here: http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/digital-slr/downloads/pentax-k5.html

January 24 17:55

Simon Thorogood

Great review. I bought the K-5 as soon as it was released after I saw the high iso performance. It is quite simply a wonderful camera that handles brilliantly and is less bulky than its competitors. I bought some older pentax lenses which really help get the most from the sensor - highly recommended! Menu system is easy to use, and features like sensitivity priority mode and the ability to configure level of noise reduction to specific iso values, are fantastic. This is my first Pentax having always been a Canon owner so was very careful when choosing this camera.

January 25 11:48

Mystic

regarding Continuous shooting buffer size in raw, firmware updare, makes it much bigger. Try it, and edit the review.

February 04 14:10

JAD

An excellent and thorough review. I shall not be defecting away from my favourite brand (Pentax) now and will go and buy one next month but keep my K20D too!

February 07 23:30

IE

Hi Simon, I'm also ready to throw my lot in with Pentax K5. Just curious what older lenses did you find - and first impressions with them. I wanted a better (more reach)standard walk around lens than the 18-55. 18-135 seems tempting but expensive for me - and early opinions suggest expensive even for what it is. It's the kind of range I'd be interested in, and don't mind turning to older lenses. COmments from any other older Pentax users also welcome. Thanks

February 23 22:24

P Elliott

Hi. I'm also interested in top quality older lenses for a K-5. Manual focus etc ok, even preferred. Any suggestions

February 28 10:35

BobL

Great review, thanks

March 09 14:14

Dutch Pentaxian

The 18-135 works fine on my K5, I bought it as cashback package in december. Not quit as sharp as the 18-250 which I sold with my K20, but decent performance. I have used it in rain and snow, perfect, as long as you give your equipment some time to adjust to large changes in temperature.

March 29 11:05

john

not all that good is it. the 645D is the one for me.

April 27 16:19

Neil

I'm seriously looking at the K5 after using a K-M for a couple of years now. Street prices are around Â£900 now, so even better value! Great review, very informative, and my range of lenses that I've built up will all fit! BONUS! Oh, and the comment about the 645D.....that is around Â£7000-Â£8000 more expensive than the K5, so I'd expect it to be quite a lot better!!!!

July 15 17:53

Adrian

"not all that good is it. the 645D is the one for me." Eh? WDC gave it a Gold Award and commented: ".. the K-5 has bags to offer, is generally good value and arguably the very best digital Pentax camera we've ever seen"

August 23 19:18

John

Hi all, I am completely new to Pentax digital, but I have some old lenses from many years back, I have among others a Pentax-M 85mm f2 can any one tell me which Pentax DSLR (if any) can communicate with M lenses, thanks.

September 09 18:53

Simon

All Pentax DSLRs can use the K Mount M lenses, but only in manual mode. I wouldn't buy a Pentax DSLR just because you have some older lenses, the overall quality is comprimised and is no where near as good as the later "digital" lenses (with a couple of exceptions). In the long run it will be cheaper to buy the system you want now ignoring your old lenses unless they are special - I learnt the hard way!

December 26 21:05

joe ellis

im looking for a reasonably priced camera for motorbike racing, would k5 be good for the job ?

January 21 10:52

tom jones

disappointed can,t use ftz500 flash oruse internal flash with flssh on hotshoe

February 24 22:55

Clive

I disagree with Simon, exceptionally fine reults can be obtained with the older lenses, even the screwmount with the Adaptor fitted, Better to use SMC coated lenses though. I have tried both the new and old, I get similiar results with both, you just have to take a bit more time and rely on your photographic prowess and not on technology. M series Prime lenses certainly outperform the kit lenses!

July 15 10:20

Andrew

I have to agree with Clive, Simon is way off the mark. I have used 6 different manaul lenses with my Pentax DSLRs and the results are superb. The only difference I have found is that you have to rely on your ability as a photographer rather than the camera!