Happy Mother's Day! Happy Father's Day! Happy Graduation! Photo.net has great photography gift ideas for the Mom, Dad, or Grad in your life. Shop for camera bags, lenses, DSLRs, and more...
Clubs, bars, and small venues are the places where most concert and live music photographers get their start, the reason being that there are fewer restrictions since the performers are less likely to...
Pentax announces the new K-5 DSLR today (September 20, 2010), a year and four months after the announcement of the K-7 (announced May 20, 2009). The K-5 is basically the same size and weight as the K-7 with a few new and improved features: higher megapixels, increasing from 14 to 16MP on the K-5, shoots video at 1080p/25fps (compared to 720p/30fps on the K-7), faster performance at 7 fps continuous shooting—albeit without a buffer so not sure how good of a performance it will actually deliver (vs. 5 fps on the K-7), focus and shutter speed priority during AF-C, and a newly improved 11 point SAFOX IX+ autofocus system (which we look forward to putting to the test). The US list price of $1599.95 would put it slightly below the Canon EOS 7D, (compare prices) (review), and slightly above the Nikon D7000, (compare prices) (review). Like all Pentax DSLRs, the K-5 features sensor-shift body-based image stabilization (up to 4 stops).
pentax-k5-back
The Pentax K-5 key features include:
16.3 MP CMOS sensor
ISO range: 80-12,800, expandable to 51,200
1080p video at 25 fps with sound via built-in microphone or external 3.5mm stereo microphone jack
11 point SAFOX IX+ autofocus system with dedicated AF assist lamp and light wavelength sensor
SDXC memory card compatibility
Focus and shutter speed priority during AF-C
fully weather sealed and coldproof design
High resolution (921,000 dot) 3" LCD
100% viewfinder
HDMI output
Built-in electronic level with tilt scale display in LCD panel
maximum 1/8000 second shutter speed
Where to Buy
The Pentax K-5 digital SLR is available as a body kit only, or as a lens kit with the 18-55mm WR, from our partners. Help support photo.net by purchasing from them.
GOLDEN, CO (September 20, 2010) — Pentax Imaging Systems has announced the Pentax K-5 digital SLR camera. The K-5 DSLR offers a true high-end prosumer design and features normally found only on the most costly of professional cameras. With exceptional reliability, user-friendly operation, and the compact, lightweight body of its predecessor, the Pentax K-7, the new K-5 offers several important and improved features.
The pro-oriented “prosumer” features that take this latest Pentax DSLR to the next level include:
High resolution 16.3 megapixel CMOS sensor.
Fast up to 7 FPS to capture fast action shots.
High sensitivity 80-12800 ISO range, expandable to 51200, with improved noise performance overall.
Widescreen 1080p HD video at 25 FPS with sound via built-in microphone or external 3.5mm stereo microphone jack.
Newly improved, highly responsive and accurate 11 point SAFOX IX+ autofocus system with dedicated AF assist lamp and light wavelength sensor.
Focus and shutter speed priority during AF-C.
Native support for both Pentax PEF and Adobe DNG 14 bit RAW files.
Improved in-camera HDR image capture with more blending modes and better image alignment for handheld HDR shots.
Additional important features on the new Pentax K-5 digital SLR include:
A fully weather sealed and coldproof design.
A large 3 inch LCD with 921,000 dots of resolution.
Durable magnesium alloy that surrounds a rugged stainless steel chassis.
Highly accurate 77 segment metering system.
Pentaprism viewfinder with 100% field of view and 0.92X magnification.
Pentax body-based Shake Reduction (SR) stabilization system that works with every Pentax lens ever made.
A maximum 1/8000 second shutter speed.
HDMI port outputs high definition images and video (and sound).
A wide range of in-camera image processing and special effects filters.
Customizable RAW/Fx button.
Built-in electronic level with tilt scale display in LCD panel.
These improvements and features are a direct result of customer feedback provided to Pentax by dedicated “prosumer” Pentaxian shooters who have helped refine the K-5 to deliver a wide feature set and make it a perfect all-purpose camera for field or studio use. The K-5 is an excellent choice for advanced enthusiasts looking for a compact, yet highly advanced camera without spending thousands of dollars more. The Pentax K-5 digital SLR will ship in October 2010 as a body kit only for $1,599.95 USD or as a lens kit with the 18-55mm WR for $1,749.95 USD.
Pentax Imaging also announced the smc Pentax-DA18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR lens designed exclusively for use with Pentax digital SLR cameras. This interchangeable zoom lens features a simplified weather-resistant construction and extra-smooth autofocus operation using a built-in motor, in addition to its high 7.5X zoom ratio. This new lens will ship in October for $529.95 USD. More information is available here: www.Pentaximaging.com.
Where to Buy
The Pentax K-5 digital SLR is available as a body kit only, or as a lens kit with the 18-55mm WR, from our partners. Help support photo.net by purchasing from them.
The specs look great. I suppose this has a APS-C format sensor. I wonder if it works with old film era Pentax lenses. If it performs as good as it sounds, I would definitely love to get this (if I ever manage to save enough money).
I am a Pentax devotee since early 80s and the specifications sound great, probably one of the best products in the line of Pentax. Provided noise is at a minimum and focus track works as it is supposed to. When do you expect to carry a thorough review of this little gem?
I have a K7 which is a great camera but it doesn't have AF in movie mode! The K5 is crippled with the same flaw it's competition the Nikon D7000 is not. I've a feeling Pentax has made a fatal error unless this flaw can be corrected with a software update!
it's not a "fatal" issue not to have a AF in movie mode. My Canon 7D doesn't have AF in movie mode and it's the benchmark camera people are referring to.
I owned a Pentax and would love to own it again one day.
Hi, this is an excellent piece of equipment and you are going to love it . Fortunately i upgraded to this one from a pocket sized didgital camera and difference in mind blowing. You will find details review for Pentax k-5 here.
Having had my K-5 for over half a year, and used it extensively (my wife has one, too), it seem to get the most out of the chip of all the cameras that use it: D7000, A55, NEX-5, to mention a few. So far among the better cameras I've used, and I do have experience from Leica (M3); Minox35 (the first real 35mm compact); various Canons, and Nikons (like the famous F-1); Rollieflex, Sinar, and Hasselblad (SWC & 500C)!
The K-5 isn't the most flexible camera for movies, that's for sure, but most 'real' movies use a fixed camera (or nearly fixed), where different lighting conditions, from one end of take to the other, are rare. I don't think the pros will chose Pentax anyway, as it can't be controlled remotely in the way the really expensive DSLRs can.
