RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: K-5 Vs K-7 ISO 6400 & 12800

Friday, September 24, 2010

K-5 Vs K-7 ISO 6400 & 12800

The Korean Popco.net strikes again, here is the quick side-by-side shootout!

http://www.popco.net/zboard/zboard.php?id=dica_forum_pentax&page=1&sn1=&divpage=3&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=14223
(in Korean)

Well, there is no surprise, the ISO 12800 of the K-5 is even better than the ISO 6400 of the K-7. But as we all knew, higher ISOs of the K-7 actually, suck! Not even to mention the obviously better colour accuracy and more favourable colour response of the K-5 (and sensor) that can be seen.

Well, the hard fact is that the culprit should be the sensor. So it's not solely the fault of Pentax, except that they chose the sensor wrongly for the K-7! For a very wrong sensor.. :-(

Last Related:-

Korean Popco.net K-5 Hands-on Preview

Comments (21)

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frank d · 755 weeks ago

Unfortunately all cameras can not do everything. Maybe until now with the new batch of cameras 7d, d7000, k5. You are right about the sensor. It was good for the k20 but Sony sensors kill the Samsung. At least Sony has that going for it and either way it will make a good profit from it from all the Sony's, Nikons, and Pentax that are being sold and that will be sold. Can't wait to see what they come out with next as this new EXEMOLOR sensor is just the first of a new crop.

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adonishong · 755 weeks ago

I am surprised by the detail from the texture around those korean character...

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Michael A. · 755 weeks ago

Thanks RH for pointing out this high ISO comparison. Even though expected, it's nice to see the pre-release unfinished hardware&firmware clearly rules, hands down.

Another important feature about the K-5 is that it's shutter is noticeable quieter than the already quiet one in K-7. That sealed the deal for me to pre-order it. As much as I like the (no chips) Navy K-x, the louder shutter occasionally chased away some skittish creatures, which can get annoying...

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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RiceHigh 110p · 755 weeks ago

You're welcome. The K-5 images actually has far *less* noise but with *more* details plus better DR!! (Wow!)

I think I would buy the K-5 eventually. But I just want a Silver version this time and hope Pentax will make one sooner and I shall wait for it. The DA 18-135 kit is my target!

As for the Navy K-x, as told in the opening post, I have got two different units across a month already but with no luck. As R.E. has also pointed out, it is a design plus manufacturing fault afterall and my bet is that the chips will appear just sooner or later. Good luck to you anyway, Michael! :-)

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Michael A. · 755 weeks ago

Thanks, I'll keep you updated :o) We already know the Silver K-5 would look nice if available, hence identical body with K-7. And that new DC motor system looks excellent, judging from filed Patent's description....Hope you get them sooner than later. For frequent usage, black might be more practical for almost no-reflection shooting outdoors... Always pluses&minuses, decisions&decisions...never ending story..

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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RiceHigh 110p · 755 weeks ago

I like Silver bodies, not only because of aesthetic concern, but also they will not get so hot under the sun, when shooting outdoor on a sunny day.

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Michael A. · 754 weeks ago

So true in urban environment. But when you tend more to "catch" some wildlife, shiny silver seems a bit distracting. I usually shield the camera with body anyway, since we have more than enough sunny days here on west coast...

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risinsun · 755 weeks ago

well, these first images are a very good news, aren't they? I have been waiting - patiently - for 2 years to see if Pentax would improve sensitivity.
I'll finally be able to replace my Pentax K1000D Super :)

so people, be happpyyyy :)

2 replies · active 755 weeks ago

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RiceHigh 110p · 755 weeks ago

What is the "K1000D Super"? ;-) This one?

http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-idea-of-k...

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risinsun · 755 weeks ago

sorry, typo. K100D super. :)
I'll be at the kina tomorrow! can't wait!

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BRunner · 755 weeks ago

As a K20D owner, I must say: impressive! But, I'm still waiting for low ISO shots. The new Sony (A55) and Canon sensors are noisier at basic ISO than old Samsung sensor in K7. And here I do 90% of my shots...

1 reply · active 755 weeks ago

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RiceHigh 110p · 755 weeks ago

The Sony A33/55 has a translucent mirror that causes light loss and thus image degradation!

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rhermans · 755 weeks ago

Wish they had posted some dng's of those images, so I could drool more.

I'm just curious how long Samsung is going to stick to it's sensor when the Sony is scoring higher. Just glad they stopped working together with Pentax ;)

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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RiceHigh 110p · 755 weeks ago

I guessed Pentax had helped Samsung a lot in doing massage to their actually troublesome sensors. Before the NEX, I tempted to buy the NX10 but I found that its sensor performance (noise, colour response etc.) is even worse than that of the K-7. So, I gave up and waited for the NEX. The NEX did not let me down but I do have even more confidence with Pentax for a Pentax camera that has a Sony sensor!

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bandymelis · 755 weeks ago

I am happy I havent wasted money on either K20D or K-7. Now is probably the time for me to replace my K10D with the K-5. Seems to be an excellent camera. But I will wait until there is a drop in price, as now they are too expensive. $1600 !! Especially for the big seazon of Nov-Dec they will sell at the highest price.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Michael A. · 754 weeks ago

Expensive? Not exactly for what you get and if comparing to competition. K-5 is priced the same as *istD in 2003. And if you were quick with pre-order, you got Pentax 18-55mm weather sealed WR lens for FREE (promotion?) on 9/21/10 from Amazon (USA) as RH identified.

Personally, I even skipped K10D in addition to K20D and K-7. New istD for $400 was good enough at the time of just released K10D and is still working fine with a few easily correctable hot pixels. All are nice cameras if you learned their strengths. But K-5 looks like the real McCoy since it has those few essential extras what almost "perfect" K-7 was missing.

As always, many will just drool and dream over K-5 and others will get it... Pentax, same as N&C or other makers, cannot produce more nicer cameras if everybody will just wait what's next... :o)

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Chris · 755 weeks ago

Had a K-10D, was happy with it at the time, now have a K-7, am still happy with it, tomorrow I'm going to Photokina, will play with a K-5 and buy one soon (unfortunately not for sale on the show).
Life is good. You guys should appreciate more what you have than what you're missing.
The K-7 is an exceptional camera.
C

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david · 755 weeks ago

Quite frankly, while this example shows how awesome the K5 sensor is, I don't see the griping on the K7......From where I see it, ISO 6400 is really pushing things to begin with for most photographers. I would consider myself as a professional, and I rarely find myself saying "my goodness, I need 12800 ISO." And I am still using a K10d, shooting concerts, and various low light events, as well as daytime events. While these examples make me crave the K5, I really think the K7 is a great camera at half the price, and would much rather have the K7 over the Kr because of its build, controls, and other things.

I believe the K7 was not finished when it was released, but feel the firmware updates have made it a really good camera, and all this sensor hate doesn't seem justified.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Chris · 754 weeks ago

Well said. Totally agree. Will still buy the K-5, simply because I want it and luckily can afford it. Also, I know my father would love to get my K-7 as an upgrade to his K-10D.

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risinsun · 754 weeks ago

Ok, I tried the K-5 at photokina, and compared results at 3200 with Nikon D300s. K-5 has a much better quality.

I shall then proceed to purchase (for christmas probably) ;)

1 reply · active 754 weeks ago

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Michael A. · 754 weeks ago

Thanks for your note risinsun! And D300s is specified more pro (51 fp-15 cross,up to 8fps,better WR) than D7000 besides much more expensive WR Nikon lenses (than P)... **interesting** move to hear some switch to D7000 world .. lol

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