Pentax k-5: Official specs and previews

[Gooberlx2]

http://dpreview.com/previews/pentaxk5/
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/114977-pentax-k-5-officially-announced.html
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/K5/K5A.HTM

Basically a K-7 with some beefed features, such as:
- 1080p movies
- updated autofocus
- updated sensor (I'm guessing Sony instead of Samsung)
- 7fps

Looks nice. I love my K-7, and aside from possible high-ISO performance from an improved k-x sensor, I don't see the K-5 being a compelling upgrade. I'd think the K10D/20D users that held out should feel confident in this jump though.

I would have liked to see a swiveling LCD (though it might be difficult with the weather sealing) and continuous autofocus in movie mode, but oh well. TBO, manual focusing isn't that big of a deal.

Nonetheless, I really like the stuff Pentax puts out and wish they had better market share.

...I also really wish they would release a WR version of the 55-300.

edit:
High ISO K-7 vs K-5:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=36426312

...that's a MASSIVE improvement.

 

[magomago]

Yeah I'm surprised it looks really nice; I'm hoping that 1 year from now it can be had around 1k, but I doubt it.

This video is pretty telling how AF has improved, specifically AF-C

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4nv2QGktbw&feature=player_embedded

Of course we are assuming every photo is in focus.... We'll see how low light performance is; compared to the k20, the k-7 was MUUUCH better in low light. However, the K-7 at the time was underwhelming to some when compared to Canikon offerings.

I'm still on my K-20 and no plans to move up at all; I get what I want out of my k-20....but its nice to see a compelling camera from Pentax for their enthusiasts (Because really, with comparable cameras from nikon and canon, why would anyone switch unless they wanted pancakes?).

 

[magomago]

Oh yeah...ISO51k LOL! Marketing Gimmick? I think so...

 

[Cattykit]

what I wrote in other thread:

K-5 is officially announced and I'm disappointed. Pentax really has some guts to release this camera for $1600 when D7000 is only $1200. They must be joking. In current market, one can buy superior 7D and D300s cheaper than K-5. What a stupid move.

 

[randomlinh]

what I wrote in other thread:

K-5 is officially announced and I'm disappointed. Pentax really has some guts to release this camera for $1600 when D7000 is only $1200. They must be joking. In current market, one can buy superior 7D and D300s cheaper than K-5. What a stupid move.

while I agree the K-5 should probably not have been priced that high... have you ever picked up a K-7? That thing is a freakin tank. And it's small. Two things I have not yet seen from anyone else in this market. Something I was hoping the 60D would do given the "smaller size" rumors, but that obviously didn't pan out.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I don't think prices will hold. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the official MSRP is quickly reduced by Pentax due to the competition. Nonetheless, Pentax/Hoya was certainly on crack for thinking a body-only MSRP at $1599 was ever appropriate.

The K-7's price fell fast after it was released. I got my K-7 + 2 lenses during the holidays last year for ~$1350 shipped...and that's before the $200 in lens rebates.

 

[Gooberlx2]

However, the K-7 at the time was underwhelming to some when compared to Canikon offerings.

Hell, the K-7's sensor (Samsung) was underwhelming at the time compared to the K-x's (Sony)....my only real disappointment. I expect/hope this sensor (assuming an improved Sony) will be pretty damn outstanding.

But yeah, my K-7 certainly delivers what I need, so I'm more than happy overall.

(Because really, with comparable cameras from nikon and canon, why would anyone switch unless they wanted pancakes?).

FWIW, I switched from Canon last year because I like what Pentax offers for the price...chiefly the compact, weather-sealed bodies and in-body SR. OTOH, I wasn't hugely invested in glass, so that made it relatively easy.

Still, I've always liked Pentax for some reason. Probably because I started with my Dad's old Pentax m42 mount, smaller/underdog company, 'value' philosophy, etc... That's one reason I really hope official MSRP (not just street price) drop. It's hard to argue for the 'value' compared to the competition at $1600.

 

[magomago]

wasn't msrp for the k-7 that high as well? anyways i wouldn't be too concerned as of yet because its MSRP....not actual street price. the 7D MSRP is also 1700 IIRC, but quick google-fu showed that you can grab it for 1200-1300 online.

 

[Gooberlx2]

K-7 was introduced at $1299, body-only ($1099 now I think). Indeed, the street price will be lower...but only by so much. I think it's a problem for Pentax if they don't provide the financial incentives vs the competition they always have.

Raising MSRP on the K-r was a terrible move as well. The biggest draw by far to the K-x was price vs performance compared to the competition.

I'd say the D7000 and K-5 are in the same competition bracket, and the D7000's introduction at such a low MSRP did shake things up. Sticking with the old MSRPs ($1300 K-5 body and $650 K-r kit) would be perfectly acceptable.

 

[foghorn67]

Sigma announced their new SD-1 and pricing. It too is in the 7D territory. I wonder if the likes of Sigma, Pentax, etc will start suing the Big Three (Canon, Nikon and Sony) for price dumping.

 

[Gooberlx2]

High ISO K-7 vs K-5:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=36426312

...that's a MASSIVE improvement.

 

[jpeyton]

I would be more interested in a Kx/K5 comparison. I already expected it to be a way ahead of the K7.

 

[randomlinh]

I would be more interested in a Kx/K5 comparison. I already expected it to be a way ahead of the K7.

same. when the K-x came out, I had to do a double take on the comparisons... "did pentax just release a cheaper camera that spanks it's top ranking SLR in noise?"

 

[ElFenix]

same. when the K-x came out, I had to do a double take on the comparisons... "did pentax just release a cheaper camera that spanks it's top ranking SLR in noise?"

yeah that samsung sensor was terrible