Welcome to our Pentax K5 review. The Pentax K5 is a popular high-end digital SLR that has been making waves since its release.
In this detailed Pentax K5 review, we are going to look at the features offered by this camera, examine how it performs in a number of different circumstances and wrap things up by providing a comprehensive, overall verdict on the camera.
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Pentax K5 review – background
The Pentax K5 is the successor to the K7, a camera that also proved to be extremely popular with photographers thanks not only to its performance but also the impressive build quality employed. The K7 re-established Pentax’s position at the top table of digital SLR manufacturers, alongside the other Japanese powerhouses Nikon and Canon. With the K5, Pentax were aiming to build on the success of the K7, and position the company at the head of the prosumer field. Read on to find out whether they succeeded…
Pentax K5 review – features
Naturally enough, our first stop for this Pentax K5 review will look at the features of this DSLR and consider what it has to offer.
Pentax K5 review – image sensor
We begin our Pentax K5 review by looking at the camera’s 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor. Undoubtedly the centrepiece of the K5, this new, market-leading Sony sensor is the same one that is used in both the Nikon D7000 and the Sony A55. However, exclusive to the Pentax K5 is the fact that it is used with the PRIME II Imagine Engine. This puts the K5 ahead of the competition, producing images that are vibrant and have low noise levels.
Pentax K5 review – build quality
The build of the Pentax K5 is one of the most impressive aspects of the camera. The chassis is an impressive stainless steel construction, whilst the body is made from a lightweight magnesium allow. It feels incredibly sturdy and adds to the impression that this is a camera of the highest quality.
The importance of the build quality really shouldn’t be underestimated. One reason many photographers give for their reluctance to upgrade from a mid-range camera is that – due to the investment involved - they worry about being reluctant to use a prosumer model in more demanding environments. But the K5′s body is cold-resistant, weather-resistant and dustproof, courtesy of 77 separate seals.
Pentax K5 review – ISO sensitivity
On paper, the Pentax K5′s ISO range looks almost difficult to believe, with it being quoted in the specs as 80 to 51,200. Yes, you read that correctly, 51, 200. Although this comfortably beats the opposition, and you could argue that it’s nice to have the option of the faster (albeit somewhat noise-inducing) speeds there, we wouldn’t recommend going beyond 1,600.
Pentax K5 review – features borrowed from the Pentax 645D
It’s very clear to us that Pentax have gone all-out to try and make the K5 a market-leading proposition. This is perhaps most clearly demonstrated by the fact that some of its features have been taken from its medium format cousin, the 645D. Now here we have a camera that is currently on sale for just shy of $10,000/£10,000/€10,000 (yes, European customer really aren’t being offered the best of deals), so we warmly welcome any transfer of technology between the 645D and more affordable Pentax models.
Before embarking on this Pentax K5 review, one of the things we were most concerned about was the autofocus system, as this had been a weak point for the K7. Luckily, though, it turns out that the K5 makes use of the SAFOX IX+ autofocus system, which Pentax developed for the 645D. Whilst it employs the same 11 focussing points used by the K7, accuracy – and most of all speed – have been vastly improved. It’s still not quite as fast as we would like it to be, but now at least Pentax is competing well with the Nikon D7000 and the Canon EOS 60D, with a system that is a massive improvement over the one used by the K7.
We weren’t particularly disappointed with the single-axis level gauge offered up by the K7, but the K5 provides a nice improvement nonetheless. And we are pleased to say that this is another feature that can be marked down in this Pentax K5 review as having been borrowed from the 645D. The dual axis level gauge that has been included enables you to account for front-to-back – in addition to sideways – roll.
Pentax K5 review – video recording
Nothing too much to report here, other than we were very pleased by what we found. The Pentax K5 offers up 1080p full HD recording, at 25 frames per second. As you would expect at such a resolution, results are truly stunning, with detailed, true-to-life footage easy to produce.
Pentax K5 review – overall impressions
In conclusion to our Pentax K5 review, we are going to consider whether this prosumer camera offers good value for money, and if it compares well to its rivals.
With regards to most areas, the Pentax K5 either matches of exceeds what is offered by either the Canon EOS 60D or the Nikon 7000D. But there is one area where the K5 isn’t quite able to offer the same level of performance of its rivals, and that’s when it comes to autofocussing. It’s true that the introduction of the SAFOX IX+ system is very welcome and has resulted in a considerably improvement over the K5′s predecessor. But despite the revisions, the K5 isn’t quite as snappy as either the alternatives offered by both Nikon and Canon.
So, does the Pentax K5′s autofocus system mean that we won’t be recommending this camera? Not at all. Whilst this is a flaw, in all honesty its a pretty minor one, and if we hadn’t been so concerned after the K7, one that we may not have noticed at all.
Overall, we feel that in the K5, Pentax have produced a fantastic camera. Here we finally have something that can not only match the competition in terms of performance, is also built extremely well. In fact, it is the build quality of the K5 that has convinced us to recommend it ahead of both the Canon EOS 60D and the Nikon 7000D. All three are great cameras, but the build of the K5 is going to be difficult to beat.
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To conclude our Pentax K5 review, we have been very pleasantly surprised by this camera, and now can’t wait to see future offerings from the Japanese company.
