Pentax K-5

Pentax K-5
Overview
MakerRicoh
TypeDigital single-lens reflex camera
Lens
LensInterchangeable Pentax KAF3 and KAF2 mount compatible with Pentax auto-aperture lenses; older lenses supported in stop-down metering mode
Sensor/medium
SensorCMOS sensor
Sensor typeIMX071
Sensor size23.7 × 15.7 mm APS-C
Sensor makerSony IMX071
Maximum resolution16.3 megapixels (4928×3264)
Film speedISO 100–12,800 in 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps; expandable to ISO 80–51,200
Storage mediaSD and SDHC; SDXC with firmware update 1.02 or later
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesGreen (fully automatic), program, aperture priority, shutter priority, sensitivity priority, aperture and shutter priority, manual, bulb, X-sync shutter speed, five User presets.
Exposure meteringTTL open-aperture metering, 77 segments
Metering modesMulti-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Flash
FlashOnboard pop-up flash; hot shoe for P-TTL flash units with high-speed sync support; PC socket for studio flashes; 1/180 s X-sync speed
Shutter
Shutter speed range30 – 1/8000 s, Bulb
Continuous shootingUp to 7 fps
Viewfinder
ViewfinderEye-level pentaprism, near-100% coverage, 0.92× magnification
Image processing
Image processorPrime II
General
LCD screen3″, 921,000 dots (640×480 RGB pixels)
BatteryD-LI90 lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Optional battery packsD-BG4 battery grip accepts additional D-LI90 battery or 6 AA (R6) batteries
Dimensions131×97×73 mm
WeightWith battery: 750 g (1.65 lb)
Without battery: 670 g (1.48 lb)
Made in Philippines

The Pentax K-5 is a 16.3-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera, announced on September 20, 2010.[1] It began shipping in mid-October 2010 and it was replaced by the Pentax K-5 II in the third quarter of 2012.[2]

Externally, the camera body is almost unchanged from the Pentax K-7 (the mode dial on the left side is slightly higher). The main improvements compared to the previous model are higher light sensitivity (ISO range between 80 and 51,200, high ISO performance with improved noise control); an increase in sensor resolution by nearly two megapixels; and an all-new autofocus subsystem, SAFOX IX+.

The use of a Sony sensor in the K-5 signalled a major departure from the Samsung sensor partnership.

The latest firmware release is 1.16.[3]

Feature improvements

Consistent with previous Pentax models, there are many small improvements as well:

  • Multiple customizable "USER" modes
  • Customizable raw/Fx button replaces previous single-purpose raw button
  • Selectable noise reduction levels for each ISO value
  • More auto-bracketing options
  • 1080p video (25 fps)
  • 7 fps continuous shooting at full resolution
  • Bleach Bypass and Film Reversal image tone settings
  • Electronic level now shows pitch and roll
  • More grid overlays in live view mode

Notable features

  • Rechargeable Li-Ion battery D-LI90 or 6 × AA (R6) batteries in battery grip D-BG4
  • Magnesium alloy shell over stainless steel chassis, weather resistant with 77 weather protection seals. The K-5 is designed to operate at temperatures of −10 to 40 °C (14 to 104 °F).
  • Two-axis (roll and pitch) level meter
  • Automatic horizon correction up to 1° with SR on or 2° with SR off.[4]
  • HDR (high dynamic range) function with auto-align now usable in hand-held shooting
  • SAFOX (Sensor Ability Fortifying Optical Compensation System-CS shortened to X) IX+ autofocus system that offers a choice of shutter-release options—between focus priority and release priority in the AF.S (single) advance mode, or between focus priority and speed priority in the AF.C (continuous) advance mode
  • Lens correction for lens distortion and lateral chromatic aberration in Pentax FA, DA and DFA lenses
  • The KAF2 mount is compatible with all Pentax K-mount lenses made since 1975.

Video mode

The K-5 can record video at 1080p full HD as well as at lower resolutions using the motion JPEG codec. Videos can be recorded at the following resolutions and frame rates:

  • 1920×1080 (25 fps)
  • 1280×720 (25/30 fps)
  • 640×424 (25/30 fps)

DxOMark sensor tests

DxO Labs gave the 16.3 MP Sony-built sensor a score of 82. This ranked at the time of testing, the highest ever for an APS-C sensor and ahead of several full-frame sensors such as the one used in the Nikon D3. One of the major factors was shadow noise and dynamic range (in raw mode, to bypass in-camera processing). However, the closely related sensor in the Nikon D7000 scored 80.[5]

Accessories

  • The weather-sealed D-BG4 battery grip that fit the Pentax K-7 can also be used on the Pentax K-5.
  • Pentax InfraRed Remote Control F or Wired Remote
  • Pentax AF-360FGZ and AF-540FGZ External Flash units
  • Pentax AF-160FC Flash Ring
  • Pentax GPS Module O-GPS1

References

  1. ^ "Pentax K-5 specifications". 2010-09-20. Archived from the original on 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2010-09-20.
  2. ^ "Pentax Ricoh announces Pentax K-5 II DSLR and K-5 IIs with no low-pass filter: Digital Photography Review". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 2012-09-11.
  3. ^ "Latest K-5 Firmware Update". www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp. Ricoh. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Pentax K-5 Camera Review". www.neocamera.com.
  5. ^ Shankland, Stephen (2010-11-09). "Pentax K-5 – Digital cameras – CNET Reviews". Reviews.cnet.com. Retrieved 2012-09-11.
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