Pentax K-5 Preview

Example based on a pre-production
Pentax K-5 in terms of operation and design the new K5 is all but identical to the K-7. For this reason, in this example, we have focused on the differences between the two cameras. For a more complete picture of the K-5, it's body design and operation, which is why we recommend that you not only read this short hands-on, but also the relevant sections in our full review of the Pentax K-7. When the K10D was launched in September 2006, Pentax's first foray into the DSLR market, was competing at the time with rivals such as the Canon EOS 30, 30d and the Nikon D200. Four years later, in 2010 this sector of the market is so competitive and as always the Pentax K-5, the latest offering to the "serious amateur photographer", will have to fight for the attention of the consumer with the likes of the Canon D7, D7000, with the Nikon d300s and the Olympus E-5. At a launch at an RRP of $1600 (body only) the K-5 is currently at a similar price level as its main competitors, but we would expect the street price to come down sooner rather than later. At first sight the K-5 is virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor the K-7. There's more to be found under the hood than on the outside but nevertheless the K-5 is a relatively modest upgrade instead of a great leap forward. Perhaps the most striking new feature is a  16.3 megapixel CMOS sensor. It brings a higher maximum sensitivity (ISO 51200, the highest on a APS-C camera so far), faster continuous shooting (5.7.0 fps vs the K-7's 2) and a 1080p full HD video mode (the K-7 offered a previously non-default maximum video resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels). Other, more minor enhancements include an updated SAFOX AF system and a few new digital filters and custom image modes. Existing users of the K-7 will no doubt, however, need very little adjustment time if they decide to upgrade to the new model. In our Pentax K-7 review the camera had high ISO output, one of our very few points of criticism. We'll have to wait for our full review of the K-5 to verify that the new sensor is suitable for clearing that point from our cons list but until then, read through our short hands-on preview to get an idea of what's new on the k-5 and how it differs from the K-7.




The K-5 has exactly the same dimensions as its predecessor, the K-7. It is chunkier than Pentax's new top entry-level DSLR the K-R (pictured to the left here) but is still relatively compact for a camera in its class.

Conclusion/recommendation/ratings are based on the views of the author, it is recommended that you read the full review before taking a decision.

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