Pentax announces k-5 digital slr for advanced amateur photographers

[i speak in math]

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.
• SDXC memory card compatibility (via firmware update).

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.

[Niresangwa]

Anyone else going for this?

[Mr Guy]

I'm extremely satisfied with my K-7 and I'm not just not seeing any feature that'd even tempt me, yet. It very much looks like a K-7 with some bugs worked out in the hardware and improved autofocus speed, which should be a huge winner.

[i speak in math]

I'm drooling...I want this camera.

[Darder]

*drool* I seriously want, why so pricey. I know why but still. Guess I'll stick with my K100D for now.

[i speak in math]

Body only MSRP looks to be around $1400, which means the street price at B&W will likely be even lower. Looks like the paperwork Pentax sent out had a lot of typos. I think at $1300, this body is a great deal, personally. Can't wait to upgrade my K20d

[RubyT]

This is what I want for my birthday, absolutely. I'd want it for Christmas if I didn't already have a lens on that list.

[i speak in math]

some more porn for you

Korean Popco.net reports with a video highlighting the LV CDAF video demo showing how fast the CDAF of the K-5 truly is!
He goes on to say that it is even faster than the EOS 550D , which was viewed as the fastest for DSLR to date and that users will be pleasantly surprised.

Read more at: Popco.net K-5 Hands-on confirms best AF to date... - PentaxForums.com


K-5 fps testing

[Niresangwa]

Well, I skipped the k-7 to wait for this, and after spending the last day inhaling the pop-reviews and rumours I'm glad I did.

My biggest complaints have been the AF speed (If you've seen the youtube video comparing the K7 and some Canon rig its a bit embarrassing) sync speed (has it been comfirmed its up to 1/250 yet?) and the noise. Now these have been addressed, how can you not be thrilled to get a camera built like this with those capabilities?

All the other delicious little features are just a bonus.

I almost snagged a K-x just for the high ISO performance my k-10/20 is so bad, but again, glad I was patient.

Really looking forward to seeing what the IQ is like.

I think one of the most impressive things is that Pentax bills this as improvements in response to the Pentax Consumer's requests, and being a follower on the forums, it seems they did exactly that...

...with the exception of producing a FF body, but with the new sensor, it's easy to get by.

Pumped for this. If the price does come in around $12-1300 I'll probably pick up a K-x body as well.

Be interesting to see what happens tot he k-7 price.

[Mr Guy]

I could definitely see skipping the K-7, but for me, the K-7 was just so darn well designed for my hands I had to have one, even with a K20D. I hope you feel the same thing from the K-5!