Product Review

Pentax K-5

Digital SLR Camera

Key Features

· 16.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor

· ISO sensitivity 80-51,200 (expanded)

· 1080p HD video

· 3 inch LCD screen (921,000 pixels)

· 11 point SAFOX IX+ autofocus system

· Live View

· Fully weather sealed

· Magnesium alloy body

· 100% viewfinder coverage

· HDMI port

· Choice of PEF or DNG RAW files plus JPEG

· SDXC memory card compatible

The K-5 is a solidly built DSLR camera by Pentax. Ready to combat challenging conditions, this camera is built for outdoor photography – it has a magnesium alloy body, coldproof design and is fully weather sealed to resist water, snow, sand, dust and fog.

It has the familiar look, in a slightly lighter body, of its predecessor the K-7 - with similar specifications. The upgrade to the K-5 boasts a new 16.3 MP CMOS sensor, a wider sensitivity range to 51,200, compatibility with SDXC memory cards and a new SAFOX IX+ autofocus with 11 selectable points.

The 3 inch LCD screen with 921,000 pixels captures full HD 1080p video at 25fps and comes with a HDMI port for viewing video footage and images on a HD TV.

There are several DSLR cameras that are considered close competition to the Pentax K-5. The following table compares the K-5 to the Canon EOS-7D and Nikon D300s;

SLR Cameras – Key Features Comparison

	Pentax K-5	Canon EOS-7D	Nikon D300s
Imaging Sensor/Effective Pixels	16.3MP CMOS	18 MP CMOS (APS-C)	12.3 MP DX-format CMOS
Sensitivity	100-12,800 (51,200 expanded)	ISO 100 - 6,400 (12,800 expanded)	IS0 200-3200 (6,400 expanded)
Image processor	PRIME II	Dual DiG!C 4 processors	Nikon EXPEED
AF	SAFOX IX+ 11-points AF	TTL-CT-SIR CMOS sensor 19 cross-type AF points	Multi-CAM 3500DX 51-point AF
Image sizes (Movie)	1920 x 1080 (16:9 25fps) 1280 x 720 (30/25fps) 640 x 480 (30/25fps)	1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps) 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps) 640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps)	1280 x 720 @ 24 fps 640 x 424 @ 24 fps 320 x 216 @ 24 fps
Viewfinder	100% frame coverage	100% frame coverage	100% frame coverage
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes	Yes
Live View	Yes	Yes	Yes
LCD monitor	3.0 " TFT LCD 921,000 pixels	3.0 " TFT LCD 920,000 pixels	3.0" TFT LCD 920,000 pixels
Body material	Magnesium alloy	Magnesium alloy	Magnesium alloy
Dimensions (W x D x H) mm	131 x 97 x 73 mm	148 x 111 x 74-mm	147 x 114 x 74 mm
Weight (excluding battery)	670g	820g	840 g

Designed with outdoor photography in mind, enthusiasts who are out for long periods of time will appreciate the lightweight body of the K-5 along with the weather seals and dust removal mechanism. The picture quality is excellent, especially in low light conditions and for night photography.

This camera is suited to ‘advanced amateur photographers’ who are familiar with how to use a SLR. When transitioning from an entry-level SLR, some of the functions may take a while to learn. Once familiar with the many controls, photographers will enjoy the compact build, image quality and performance from this SLR camera.

The Pentax K-5 is available with the following lens kits;

•   Pentax K-5 Digital SLR Camera $1,099.00
•   Pentax K-5 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55 WR $1,349.00
•   Pentax K-5 Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm WR $1,809.00

Pentax digital cameras, Pentax SLR cameras, SLR lenses and Pentax camera accessories are available at Georges Camera Store Sydney or online at http://www.georges.com.au