Pentax K-5

[i speak in math]

I know there aren't a lot of Pentax users here but I can't believe this hasn't been posted yet (at least I haven't see it). Its pretty big news, after all.

DxO has tested the new Pentax K-5 (as well as the Nikon D7000) and found it to have the best APS-C sensor ever test, topping almost every other camera ever -- placing 6th overall (against full-frame, medium format and APS-C). Its overall score tied the Nikon D3s and the new Pentax 645D medium format camera. This is thanks to its remarkable 14.1 ev DR. And it can be your too for less than $1600

Anyway, just wanted to get this out there. Great news for us Pentax users. We are on top, for now.



From DxO:

"From the outside, the new Pentax K5 looks exactly the same as the K7. The main differences lie inside: the K5 uses the brand-new 16.3 MP sensor (able to operate between ISO 80 and 12800, extended to 51200), an improved SAFOX 9 AF system, a higher burst speed, and a much better video mode that can record 1080p footage at 25 fps.

The best APS-C in all tested fields

No need for suspense: this new 16.3 MP sensor is simply the best APS-C we have tested so far, sometimes able to compete even with very high-end full-frame cameras.

The overall score of the K5 puts it in the lead with 82 points — more than 9 points better than the D90 or the Alpha 55, and 16 points ahead of the Canon 7D or 60D. The K5 is literally the best APS-C performer for each segment, even in low ISO.

Wonderful Dynamic Range performance

Dynamic range is clearly where the K5 struts its stuff. The scores it reaches at ISO 80 are simply impressive: at 14.1 Ev (print mode), even the D3X’s full-frame sensor is not that good. Smoothing appears at ISO 3200 but does not impact the metrics."

[ravncat]

very interesting results, though I suspect the DXO measurements and "arbitrary" scale to have less meaning for real world use. Not to say that they are "wrong" somehow - I just don`t think there`s real meaning to the DXO numbers.

It appears the new Pentax sensor to be a very good one (and hopefully competition is a good thing for all brands) - though at this point if you can`t make "technically" good images, it`s not the camera.

[i speak in math]

From the site:

"The Sensor Overall Score is an average of the Portrait Score based on Color Depth, the Landscape Score based on Dynamic Range and the Sports Score based on Low-Light ISO."

Color depth: (The) maximum color sensitivity (is), in bits, the number of colors that the sensor is able to distinguish.

DR: (The) maximum dynamic range is the greatest possible amplitude between light and dark details a given sensor can record...

Low-light ISO: The SNR indicates how much noise is present in an image compared to the actual information

These all seem easily testable and I'm sure there is nothing arbitrary about their testing.

[ravncat]

It`s the final overall number I find arbitrary - I think there is important data in some of the underlying tests - but some of their methods are a bit debatable - for example their dynamic range test is for full well to SNR = 1, that`s not the same as where a more "real world" usability scale of Dynamic Range is...

[Jonbar18]

Pentax makes great cameras, but I doubt I would get one over a Nikon or Hasselblad, simply because the lost the camera fight. Same reason almost everyone has a PC over a Mac (let's not go there again)

BTW it's nice to finally have proof Nikons are superior to Canons, even more expensive ones,

[jml79]

Originally Posted by Jonbar18

BTW it's nice to finally have proof Nikons are superior to Canons, even more expensive ones,

Of course you meant Sony because we all know that Sony makes most (if not all) of Nikon's sensors.

[Mr Guy]

Nikon, maybe, but I think saying Pentax has lost to Hasselbad at this point is a bit premature due to: Their (Relatively) Inexpensive Beast.

Down? Sure.

Out? I wouldn't bet on it.

[Niresangwa]

I saw this when it was posted on PF... I didnt repost because I've slathered on enough the last week about how great this camera is, so I"m glad someone else brought it here..

You're right though, it's a huge deal, even in the limited tech-head context it is. There are strong rationale's as to why we shouldnt get overly excited, mostly as its going up against dated bodies from the other manufacturers, and you can bet your left foot that when those bodies are upgraded, its going to once again push Pentax back down...

...having said that there are other implications to be drawn from it. One alluded to already in the thread... there are three manufacturers using this sensor, Sony, Pentax and Nikon, and Pentax has managed to wring the best performance by far out of it, which says something about their engineering quality and development...

the second, and in my mind (though this is purely projection and speculation) is that Pentax now has a lineup that will allow them to push into the US Consumer market. The K-x, K-r and K-5 is a concrete line up that not only meets but beats down comparable bodies in several key areas.. as such its now more viable to Big Box carriers that will increase its exposure to the general public. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this line up wasn't showing up in Best Buy when the waves amongst the camera community calm down.

Do they meet the competition in all areas? No. However for the areas important to Soccer moms and Vacation dads they can make inroads. Their price point is better for comparable performance and they now incorporate HD Movie technology. And the K-x and K-r come in nice colors

I also think that this marks the end of any discussion as to whether Pentax will ever go FF. When they can produce performance in a crop sensor comparable to that of a FF at this price point, they have zero reason to do so, especially with the 645D(ream) throwing its beautiful weight around at around $10k...

I think for anyone who reads pentaxforums.com (maybe 5 of us?) the lack of smack talk with regard to the K-5 is very telling. Very telling. Post after post of users who have it in our hands, and there's hardly a bad word to be said about it, and even less said by the doom and gloom part of the community.

I honestly cant wait for the consumer reviews to come out in the next few weeks, because I honestly can't think of much at all that they're going to be able to mark down the K-5 for.

This camera is an absolute dream. Just under two weeks of using it, and I still get thrilled when I pick it up. If it had another name emblazoned on it, it would be enough to make me switch platforms.. it really is that good. I know my opinion means jack to most people reading this but I would put a lot on the line and say that that's pretty much going to be the consensus going forward, from both users and reviewers...

[OsmosisStudios]

Sorry, but DxO has had so many issues with their testing to make any results comparable that I simply cannot trust them. Not only that, but, frankly, a 2pt difference is NOT going to be visible in 99.9% of images.

[Mr Guy]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Sorry, but DxO has had so many issues with their testing to make any results comparable that I simply cannot trust them. Not only that, but, frankly, a 2pt difference is NOT going to be visible in 99.9% of images.

Very true. However, the really important thing for camera nerds to take away is that DxO's methodology has ACTIVELY discriminated against Pentax in the past, due choices Pentax has made about the type and quality of their noise. To get a good score given that, to me, is impressive.