http://www.flickr.com/photos/28177041@N03/5152110098/sizes/z/in/photostream/ (For explanations and shooting/conversion details, please look here.)

(Click to Enlarge in a New Tab/Window.)
It can be noted that for the K-5 picture, whilst virtually has no shadow noise, it has more obvious purple fringing across the high contrast edge (see the left cheek of the boy's face). Do note that the same lens was used for both cameras and test shots and the shooting conditions were the same.
Besides, whilst the K-5 has little shadow noise, it just can't give more highlight headroom than the K-7. See the right face of the boy, it can be yet noted that highlights are clipped for both images.
With the low shadow noise of the K-5 and sensor, there is a trick to play, though, if the user just wants to have more highlight and details retained. That is, to shoot in RAW, intentionally underexpose the image and then apply +ve digital compensation to bright up the whole image. Whilst for doing this, shadow noise will be increased, highlights could be preserved better.
Last but not least, as for the skin tone colour response and textural feel, I think K-7 is still doing better for this shootout and samples. Overall, I found K-7's picture renders somehow more natural skin tones and has less plastic skin feel. Furthermore, the K-7 picture could look sharper, too, putting aside the annoying noise that is superimposed on the image.
illdefined · 748 weeks ago
Mr Big · 748 weeks ago
Looks like you hit a new low RH
rhermans · 748 weeks ago
This is searching for differences that will never appear is you know how to use a camera.
Toomas Kadarpik · 748 weeks ago
But what is related to smoothing of the skin, it is definitely not true, K5 renders superb detail images, quite different class from the Samsung sensor.
Toomas Kadarpik · 748 weeks ago
But what is related to smoothing of the skin, it is definitely not true, K5 renders superb detail images, quite different class from the Samsung sensor.
D King · 748 weeks ago
Tom · 748 weeks ago
Good lord, RH, don't you think it is becoming a bit too comical? Your attempt to trash the best APS-C sensor ever is real-life-satire at its finest. If someone made this up they'd be rightly criticized to be way over the top.
teusrenes 48p · 748 weeks ago
Post both pictures including untouched! EXIF. Then we'll see.
jaad75 · 748 weeks ago
fan · 748 weeks ago
I agree with you that K-7 has terrible noise at low light, but still it can produce good photo. But, K-5 has better in all aspect than K-7.
I will suggest you once more, you must buy K-5 immediately and measurebate it yourself. We will appreciate your opinion when you have K-5 in your table. And I am sure if two years ago you bought K-7, you would love it !!! So now, you should not miss the moment to buy K-5 ^^
Michael A. · 748 weeks ago
Toomas Kadarpik · 748 weeks ago
THE WORLD HAS CHANGED AND NOW IS TIME TO TURN THIS SITE ALSO TO POSITIVE SIDE RICE, I ADMIT REALLY YOUR EFFORT, IT PROBABLY MADE PENTAX LISTEN MORE AND THEY HAVE PRODUCED NOW 4 MARVELLOUS CAMERAS, K-X,K-R,K5,645D. ALL CAMERAS ARE TOP RANKED IN DXO MARK AND ARE PRODUCING SUPERB QUALITY IMAGES IN ITS CLASS. EVERYONE WHO KNOWS ECONOMY CAN PREDICT THAT REAL COMPETITION BETWEEN FOUR VENDORS IS POSITIVE, NOW WE HAVE, CANON,NIKON, SONY AND PENTAX + DOZEN MF PLAYERS IN THE WORLD AND MF, FF,APS-C PRICE GAP IS NARROWING. CANIKON GAME WAS BORING, REALLY BORING, BYT THEY DID GOOD SALES JOB INDEED AND ARE STILL DOING IT.
AND CANON AND NIKON CAMERAS ARE STILL SUPERB AND ARE PRODUCING SUPERB IMAGES AS THE LENSES. I JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT IS TO ADMIT THAT NOT WE HAVE MORE OPTIONS AND POSSIBILITIES IN THE ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL SENSE FOR EVERY CLASS OF SHOOTER.
WHAT WE HAVE GOT ALREADY FROM THIS COMPETITION:
HDR IMAGING INSIDE DSLR, STILL IN THE BEGINNING BUT USABLE
STEALTH SILENT SHUTTER FROM PENTAX
BETTER CAMERAS FROM NIKON AND CANON
FIRST DSLR FEATURED MF CAMERA 645D
FROM 645 WE GOT BETTER AF TO PENTAX APS-C
VERY HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE, WE HAVE NOT SEEN EVEN IN MF
MF MARKET COMES DOWN TO NORMAL PRICE LEVEL, 10000.
FREEEZEPROOF WEATHEPROOF APS-S BODY FROM PENTAX, I LIVE IN NORDICS
Wacko · 748 weeks ago
Barbarosa · 748 weeks ago
RuffRidah · 748 weeks ago
outsider · 682 weeks ago